Conveyancers in Melbourne: Land, Off-the-Plan & Settlement
Every land purchase and off-the-plan buy in Victoria needs a conveyancer or solicitor. Here is what a licensed conveyancer does, how Victorian licensing works, and what to check before you engage one in 2026.
Governing law
Conveyancers Act 2006
Victoria
Licensed by
BLA
Business Licensing Authority / CAV
PI insurance
$2 million
required to hold a licence
Settlement
PEXA
electronic settlement
What a conveyancer does on a Melbourne purchase
A conveyancer manages the legal transfer of property: they review the contract of sale and the vendor statement (Section 32), run the searches, calculate adjustments, handle stamp duty with the State Revenue Office, and settle the transaction, almost always electronically through PEXA.
For a new build, this matters most on the land purchase and on off-the-plan contracts. Both can carry risks, sunset clauses, specification changes and developer default on off-the-plan, that a good conveyancer flags before you sign, not after.
How Victorian conveyancer licensing works
In Victoria, conveyancing is regulated under the Conveyancers Act 2006. A conveyancer must hold a licence issued by the Business Licensing Authority (BLA), with Consumer Affairs Victoria providing oversight, unless they are an Australian legal practitioner. Licensed conveyancers must carry $2 million in professional indemnity insurance.
You can confirm a conveyancer on the public register of licensed conveyancers maintained by Consumer Affairs Victoria. Check the licence is current and note any conditions before you engage.
Conveyancer or solicitor, and what to check
For a standard residential land or house purchase, a licensed conveyancer is usually the right, lower-cost choice. A property solicitor is worth it where there are disputes, complex trust or company structures, or legal questions beyond the transaction itself.
Get a fixed-fee quote that separates the professional fee from disbursements (searches and government charges), confirm they are PEXA-enabled, and engage them before you sign so they can review the contract. BuildPilot does not provide conveyancing; we help you shortlist licensed Melbourne conveyancers.
Official Victorian sources referenced
You MUST engage a reliable conveyancer BEFORE signing a land contract. In this episode we are joined by 2 leading conveyancers from Fastrack Conveyancing who provide a wealth of information, tips and insights to you - which will save you time and money, but also give you more peace of mind when purchasing land. This is a must watch/listen episode for all prospective land buyers.
Watch full episodeFrequently asked
What does a conveyancer do that my agent does not?+
The real estate agent works for the vendor and facilitates the sale. A conveyancer acts for you on the legal transfer: reviewing the contract and Section 32 vendor statement, running searches, handling stamp duty and adjustments, and completing settlement. Do not rely on the agent for legal protection.
Do I need a conveyancer or a solicitor in Victoria?+
For a straightforward residential purchase, a licensed conveyancer is usually sufficient and cheaper. Use a property solicitor where the transaction involves disputes, complex structures, or legal advice beyond the conveyance itself.
How do I check a conveyancer is licensed in Victoria?+
Search the public register of licensed conveyancers on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website. Licensing is administered by the Business Licensing Authority under the Conveyancers Act 2006, and licensees must hold $2 million in professional indemnity insurance.
What is special about off-the-plan conveyancing?+
Off-the-plan contracts carry specific risks: sunset clauses that can end the contract, changes to the building specification, and developer default. These are a specialist area, so confirm your conveyancer is experienced with off-the-plan before you sign.
How much does conveyancing cost in Melbourne?+
Standard residential conveyancing is typically a fixed professional fee plus disbursements for searches and government charges. Off-the-plan and subdivision work costs more. Get itemised fixed-fee quotes from two conveyancers to compare.
Your next steps
What to do next
Note: the stories below are Adelaide-based clients - the underlying builder-matching process is identical for Melbourne buyers.
How a conveyancer caught a problem before settlement, real client stories
Federuzzi Development
Two double-garage homes squeezed onto an odd-shaped subdivision block in Ingle Farm, with the equity earmarked to fund the next development.
Read the case studySterai Residence
A practical, well-planned knockdown rebuild on a tricky triangular block in Ingle Farm.
Read the case studyBuilding in Adelaide instead?
See our Adelaide conveyancers guide