Choosing a conveyancing solicitor is one of the most practical decisions you make in a property transaction, and it is easier than many buyers and sellers expect. Conveyancing in Queensland is a legal service, which means it can only be provided by a qualified solicitor or law practice, not a standalone licensed conveyancer. Once you know what to look for, the choice becomes straightforward.
The right solicitor does more than process paperwork. They review the contract before you sign, check the title and disclosure documents, handle the duty lodgement and the final financial settlement, and keep you informed at each stage. Their job is to protect your position from contract to keys.
Our lawyers in Springfield help clients across Greater Springfield and Ipswich with conveyancing, whether buying, selling or transferring property.
Here is what to look for in a Queensland conveyancing solicitor, and what questions are worth asking before you appoint one.
Key takeaways
- Conveyancing in Queensland can only be provided by a qualified solicitor or law practice.
- The Queensland Law Society maintains a public register of solicitors you can search by name.
- A solicitor must make costs disclosure in writing as soon as practicable after being retained.
This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Every situation is different, and you should speak with a solicitor about your own circumstances.
What does a conveyancing solicitor actually do in Queensland?
A conveyancing solicitor manages the legal steps that transfer property ownership from one person to another, according to the Queensland Government. That process begins before the contract is signed and ends once the title is registered in the buyer's name at Titles Queensland.
On the buying side, the solicitor checks the contract terms, reviews the seller disclosure statement, carries out title searches and explains what they show, handles the transfer duty lodgement with the Queensland Revenue Office, and manages the electronic settlement through an approved network operator. On the selling side, they assist with the disclosure documents, receive the final payment at settlement and arrange the title transfer.
From 1 July 2026, conveyancing solicitors in Queensland have new obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing regime, according to AUSTRAC. Clients can now expect to provide identity verification documents before their solicitor begins work. This is a regulated requirement, not a firm preference.
How do you check that a solicitor is properly registered in Queensland?
The Queensland Law Society maintains a public register of solicitors, searchable online by solicitor name or organisation. The register shows the practitioner's name, the type of practising certificate they hold, their law practice and office contact details, according to the Queensland Law Society.
Under Queensland's Legal Profession Act, a legal practitioner is an admitted lawyer who holds a current practising certificate. Carrying on legal practice without one is an offence. A practising certificate that was not renewed by the end of the practising year lapses automatically, which is worth noting if a search returns no current result.
The Legal Services Commission also keeps a public Queensland Discipline Register, which records orders finding that a lawyer engaged in professional misconduct.
"In Queensland, conveyancing is a legal service and can only be provided by a solicitor or law practice. Checking the Queensland Law Society register before you appoint anyone takes about a minute and confirms you are dealing with someone who holds a current practising certificate."
Jade Kickbusch, Principal, Brookwater Legal
What questions are worth asking a conveyancing solicitor before you appoint them?
The Legal Services Commission suggests asking these questions at a first meeting with any lawyer, and they apply equally to conveyancing:
- › What will this cost in total? A solicitor must disclose their expected legal costs in writing as soon as practicable after being retained, according to the Legal Services Commission. Detailed written disclosure is required where costs are likely to exceed $3,000.
- › Are there extra costs, and could they change? Disbursements such as title search fees and transfer duty are separate from professional fees and are payable regardless of how the matter resolves.
- › How will you keep me informed? Under the Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules, a solicitor must provide clear and timely advice and deliver legal services as promptly as reasonably possible. On reasonable request, they must give a written progress report.
- › Do you have experience in property and conveyancing? The Queensland Government recommends finding a firm that specialises in property or conveyancing.
- › Are you connected to any other party in my transaction? The Queensland Government's guidance says to make sure the solicitor is not connected to any other party such as the agent or the other side.
How does a conveyancing solicitor in Queensland generally handle your matter?
Step 1: Talk to us
Get in touch and we'll explain how the conveyancing process generally works and what the next steps look like for your transaction.
Step 2: Contract review and disclosure checks
We review the contract before you sign, check the seller disclosure documents and title search results, and explain what they mean for your purchase or sale, including any registered interests, caveats or restrictions on the title.
Step 3: Searches, duty and pre-settlement
We carry out the required title searches, attend to the transfer duty lodgement with the Queensland Revenue Office, and work through the pre-settlement steps, including liaising with lenders and the other side's solicitor as needed. From 1 July 2026, we also carry out the identity verification required under the AML/CTF regime, as set out by AUSTRAC.
Step 4: Electronic settlement and title registration
We arrange settlement through an approved Electronic Lodgment Network operator, handle the financial settlement and confirm once the title is registered in your name with Titles Queensland. Most correctly prepared dealings register within 3 to 5 working days, according to Titles Queensland.
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When does it not matter which conveyancing solicitor you choose in Queensland?
Honestly, the choice matters more in some transactions than others. For a straightforward established home purchase with standard contract conditions, a competent solicitor with property experience will handle the process reliably regardless of which firm you use.
The choice matters more when the transaction has complexity: an off-the-plan purchase where the seller disclosure rules differ from a standard sale; a contract with unusual special conditions; a deceased estate sale where the personal representative needs to be recorded on the title before a transfer can proceed; a purchase by a trust or company where the duty and title rules change; or a first home buyer transaction where the 1 August 2026 citizenship requirement for home and first home concessions needs to be checked, according to the Queensland Revenue Office.
In those situations the solicitor's property experience and their familiarity with the relevant rules makes a practical difference to how smoothly the matter runs.
What does professional indemnity insurance mean for you as a client?
Every law practice in Queensland must hold professional indemnity insurance, according to the Queensland Law Society. The Society runs a compulsory scheme underwritten by Lexon Insurance. The Queensland Government's guidance for buyers and sellers says this insurance protects a client if the solicitor does something wrong.
Where a loss involves trust money and dishonest conduct, a separate Queensland Law Society Fidelity Guarantee Fund exists to reimburse clients. This does not cover negligence, which is what professional indemnity insurance addresses.
For significant financial loss, the Legal Services Commission says a person may need to consult another lawyer about their rights and remedies. The Commission can also deal with complaints about a lawyer's conduct and, in some cases, may refer a matter to QCAT or the Legal Practice Committee for a compensation order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a licensed conveyancer handle my property purchase in Queensland?
No. Conveyancing in Queensland is a legal service and can only be provided by a qualified solicitor or law practice, according to the Legal Services Commission. Unlike some other states, Queensland does not license standalone conveyancers.
How do I check that a conveyancing solicitor is registered in Queensland?
Search the Queensland Law Society's public Register of Solicitors online by name or organisation. It shows the practitioner's current practising certificate type, law practice and contact details, according to the Queensland Law Society.
What does a conveyancing solicitor in Queensland have to tell me about their costs?
A solicitor must disclose their expected costs in writing as soon as practicable after being retained, according to the Legal Services Commission. Where costs are likely to exceed $3,000, detailed written disclosure is required, covering how costs are calculated, billing intervals and disbursements.
What identity checks can I expect from a Queensland conveyancing solicitor in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, conveyancing solicitors in Queensland have obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing regime, according to AUSTRAC. Clients can expect to provide identity documents before work begins; this is a regulatory requirement that applies across all practices.
Do Queensland conveyancing solicitors have to respond to me promptly?
Yes. The Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules require a solicitor to deliver legal services as promptly as reasonably possible and to provide clear and timely advice. On reasonable request, they must also give a written progress report on costs incurred to date, according to Queensland's Legal Profession Act.
Do I need a conveyancing solicitor in Springfield or Ipswich QLD, or can I use anyone in Queensland?
Any Queensland solicitor with property experience can act for you, regardless of where they are located. That said, a local conveyancing team familiar with the Greater Springfield and Ipswich market can be a practical advantage. A solicitor can advise on what matters most for your transaction.
What happens if I have a problem with my conveyancing solicitor in Queensland?
The first step is to raise the issue directly with the firm, according to the Legal Services Commission. If unresolved, an enquiry can be submitted to the Commission, which is the only body that handles complaints about lawyers in Queensland. Costs disputes can also be referred for independent assessment within 12 months of receiving the bill.
Your Next Steps
Getting the conveyancing right from the outset protects your position throughout the transaction. In Ipswich and Greater Springfield, property moves quickly, and having a solicitor who has reviewed your contract before you sign means you go into the deal with a clear picture of what you are agreeing to, including any conditions that could affect your rights at settlement.
Every conveyancing matter is different, and that's exactly why it's worth a conversation. Make an appointment with the Brookwater Legal team or call (07) 3437 8555.
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Brookwater Legal · This article contains general information only and does not constitute legal advice. It does not take into account your individual circumstances. You should obtain legal advice about your own situation before acting on anything in this article. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
