Conveyancing Lawyers in Melbourne

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of property from one person to another. It covers reviewing the contract and vendor’s statement, doing the searches, attending to settlement and registering the transfer.

Both can handle a standard property transaction in Victoria. A lawyer can do legal work generally, while a licensed conveyancer is limited to “conveyancing work” as defined in the Conveyancers Act 2006 (Vic), which does not include things like starting legal proceedings, applying for probate or preparing a will, according to the Victorian Legal Services Board. We are a law firm, so if a contract dispute, title problem or estate issue comes up during your matter, we can advise on it without you changing representatives.

It depends on the type of property and how complex the transaction is, so we do not publish a price list. Before we start, we confirm the scope and our fees in writing, in a costs agreement and disclosure statement. Where the scope is clear, such as a contract review, we can quote a fixed fee. Call (03) 9629 2211 or send an online enquiry to get started.

A Section 32 statement is a disclosure document the seller must give the buyer before the buyer signs the contract of sale, under the Sale of Land Act 1962 (Vic). It covers the property’s title, including mortgages, covenants and easements, as well as zoning, rates and other outgoings. If it is incomplete or inaccurate, the buyer may be able to withdraw from the sale or take legal action, so it needs to be prepared with care.

The Consumer Legislation Amendment Act 2026 (Vic) received Royal Assent on 8 September 2026. The new timing is due to start on 1 June 2027. Sellers will then need to make the statement available earlier, at least 14 days before a publicly advertised auction or fixed-date sale and within 14 days after advertising for other advertised sales. The rules for releasing a deposit early also change from 1 July 2027. Until the new rules start, the current rules apply.

Usually, yes, for a private sale of residential property. The cooling-off period is three clear business days from the day you sign the contract. You give written notice to the seller or the seller’s agent, and you get your money back less $100 or 0.2 per cent of the purchase price, whichever is greater. It does not apply to properties bought at public auction, among other exceptions.

Generally, yes. In Victoria you pay land transfer (stamp) duty when you buy property, although concessions and exemptions may apply, for example for a principal place of residence, first home buyers or off-the-plan purchases. The State Revenue Office sets out the conditions for each. We check what may apply to you before you sign.

Yes. Most property settlements in Victoria are now completed electronically, usually through PEXA, and we manage the PEXA process for you. We handle the rest of your matter by phone, email and e-signing, so there is usually no need to travel to Melbourne.

When one owner of a property held as joint tenants dies, the surviving owner becomes the sole owner by survivorship. A survivorship application updates the title to remove the deceased person’s name. We can prepare and lodge it for you.

Yes. We act for buyers and sellers across Victoria, including in the regional centres listed above. If you are buying or selling anywhere in Victoria, send us an online enquiry. For more answers, see our conveyancing FAQ.