Conveyancing in Queensland

The short version: conveyancing is the legal process that moves a property from one owner to another. In Queensland, it covers everything from the contract being signed through to settlement day – reviews, searches, paperwork, the PEXA transfer, and the title registration with Titles Queensland.

This hub is your starting point. Below: how conveyancing works in QLD, who does it, what it costs, what’s different about a Queensland transaction vs other states, and where to go next based on whether you’re buying, selling, or somewhere in between.

How conveyancing works in Queensland

Step 1: Pre-contract. Before you sign anything, you ideally get pre-contract advice. We pull flood mapping, council overlays, title summary, and read the contract you’ve been handed.

Step 2: Contract signed. Now the clock starts. For buyers, this means cooling-off rights (5 business days, unless waived) and the start of the formal conveyancing process.

Step 3: Searches and checks. Title, council, body corporate (if a unit), flood and contamination overlays, building/pest if booked.

Step 4: Finance and conditions. Buyers nominate their finance lender, pay the deposit, and clear any other special conditions (building/pest, due diligence).

Step 5: Settlement. Money transfers through PEXA, ownership flips on the title, keys change hands.

Step 6: Post-settlement. The transfer is registered with Titles Queensland. Done.

For a deeper walkthrough of each step, see our conveyancing process page.

Who handles conveyancing in QLD?

Queensland conveyancing must be handled by a solicitor or by an experienced paralegal supervised by a solicitor. Unlike NSW, Victoria, and some other states, Queensland does not have licensed conveyancers as a separate profession.

That means every QLD conveyancing firm is, legally, a law firm.

For more on this, see our conveyancer vs solicitor and what is a conveyancer guides.

How much does conveyancing cost in QLD?

Empire Legal’s residential purchase conveyancing is currently $2,600 (July 2026 pricing), all-inclusive of professional fees, standard searches, and pre-contract advice. A residential sale is $1,600. Form 2 preparation, wills, guarantor advice, and family law are priced separately on a fixed-fee basis.

For the full fixed-fee breakdown across every matter type, see our pricing page.

Where to go next

If you’re buying: start at our buyers hub – covers what to expect, what to ask, when to engage a lawyer.

If you’re selling: start at our sellers hub – covers the Form 2 obligation, what to prepare, and how the timeline works.

If you have a contract in hand right now: email info@empirelegal.com.au with a copy. We’ll come back within 24 hours with a review.

By region: Brisbane conveyancing, Gold Coast conveyancing, Sunshine Coast conveyancing, or all areas we serve.

By service type: residential conveyancing, commercial conveyancing, off-the-plan purchases, or Form 2 seller’s disclosure.

What’s different about Queensland conveyancing?

A few things QLD-specific worth flagging up front: Form 2 seller’s disclosure – mandatory since 1 August 2025; every QLD residential sale must include one (see our Form 2 page); no licensed conveyancers – all conveyancing handled by law firms; flood overlay rights – under the standard REIQ contract, buyers don’t have automatic termination rights for flood issues found post-contract, so pre-contract due diligence is critical; PEXA settlement – QLD is fully electronic, no more cheques being handed across a settlement room; 30-day standard settlement – most QLD residential settlements complete within 30 days of contract being signed, but the parties can agree to anything from 14 days to several months.

FAQs