Last updated: July 2026 As a Licensed Conveyancer, I act on property transactions day in and day out but I always try to remember that the people I help are not necessarily people who do this sort of thing all the time. Sometimes they are first home buyers and other times they are people who just haven’t bought or sold in years. Because of this, I find it’s so important to get back to basics and give simple answers to common questions, none of this legal jargon. So in saying that… What is a Licensed Conveyancer? A Licensed Conveyancer is a legal professional who facilitates the legal process of buying or selling property for you. In simple terms, a Licensed Conveyancer helps guide you through the conveyancing side of a property transaction. This can include reviewing or preparing the Contract for Sale, explaining the important parts of the contract, arranging searches and enquiries, liaising with the other party’s representative, working with your lender if there is a mortgage involved, preparing for settlement and helping make sure the legal transfer of the property is completed properly. For many people, especially first home buyers, this process can feel overwhelming because there are deadlines, documents, deposits, loan requirements and settlement steps that all need to line up. A Licensed Conveyancer helps manage those steps and explains what is happening along the way. What is the difference between a Licensed Conveyancer and a Solicitor? A question I get a lot is whether a Licensed Conveyancer is the same as a Solicitor. The short answer is no. In saying this, when buying and selling property, a Licensed Conveyancer can assist with many of the same conveyancing steps that a Solicitor would in a standard property transaction. The key difference is that a Licensed Conveyancer only practices in the area of Property Law, while a Solicitor is qualified to practise in other areas of law. Both Licensed Conveyancers and Solicitors are qualified and regulated professionals who can act for you in relation to your property transaction. The difference is usually not about whether one is “better” than the other. It is more about what your matter involves and what type of advice you need. If your purchase or sale is fairly straightforward, a Licensed Conveyancer may be able to assist you from start to finish. If your matter becomes more complicated, or if it involves other legal issues outside of the conveyancing process, a Solicitor may be more suitable. What does a Licensed Conveyancer actually do? A Licensed Conveyancer can help with the legal steps involved in buying, selling or transferring property. This may include: reviewing a Contract for Sale before you exchange; preparing a Contract for Sale if you are selling; explaining special conditions, cooling-off periods and key dates; ordering searches and enquiries relevant to the property; liaising with banks, brokers, agents and the other party’s conveyancer or solicitor; preparing settlement figures and adjustments; helping arrange electronic settlement; and making sure the transfer process is completed correctly. The exact work required will depend on whether you are buying, selling or transferring property, and whether anything unusual comes up during the transaction. When might you need a Solicitor instead? For many standard property transactions, a Licensed Conveyancer can assist with the conveyancing work required to buy or sell property. However, a Solicitor may be more suitable where your transaction involves broader legal issues, such as a deceased estate, family law property settlement, a caveat or property dispute, a company or trust structure, commercial property, off-the-plan issue, or an interstate conveyancing matter. A good example is where someone is selling a property as part of a deceased estate. The conveyancing work may be only one part of the matter, but there may also be questions about probate, executors, beneficiaries or how the sale proceeds are to be dealt with. In that situation, it can be useful to have a Solicitor involved because the property transaction overlaps with estate law. Another example is where a property is being transferred after a separation. There may be conveyancing steps involved, but there may also be family law issues, loan refinance requirements, stamp duty questions and settlement terms that need to be considered together. This does not mean every property transaction needs a Solicitor. It simply means that if your matter has another legal issue attached to it, it is worth getting advice from someone who can look at the whole picture. Do I need both a Licensed Conveyancer and a Solicitor? Another question I get is, ‘If I instruct a Licensed Conveyancer, do I still need a Solicitor?’. In many straightforward property transactions, the answer is no. You can instruct a Licensed Conveyancer or a Solicitor to act on your property transaction. If you instruct a Licensed Conveyancer, you don’t usually also need to instruct a Solicitor unless a broader legal issue arises. If something does come up during the transaction that sits outside the usual conveyancing process, your Licensed Conveyancer can let you know that further legal advice may be needed. This might happen if there is a dispute, a problem with the title, an unusual contract condition, an estate issue, a family law issue, or another matter that needs advice beyond the standard sale or purchase process. What if I am buying or selling interstate? Property law and conveyancing processes can differ between states and territories. If you live in NSW but are buying property in another state, or if you are selling a property outside NSW, it is important to make sure the person assisting you can properly act in relation to that property. In some cases, this may mean using a conveyancer licensed in the state where the property is located. In other cases, you may choose to use a Solicitor who can assist with property transactions across different states and territories. If your matter involves an interstate purchase or sale, you can read more about our interstate conveyancing services. So, which one should I choose? If your matter is a standard purchase or sale, a Licensed Conveyancer may be a suitable choice. If your matter is more complex, involves another area of law, or relates to property in another state, a Solicitor may be more appropriate. The most important thing is to choose someone who is experienced in the type of property transaction you are entering into, who explains things clearly, and who can identify when a simple conveyancing matter may need broader legal advice. If you found this information helpful, please share it with your family and friends. You may also want to check out some of our other blogs. For further information contact: Melina Maiolo Licensed Conveyancer melina@couttslegal.com.au 02 4607 2104 Instant Conveyancing Quote Tags:Conveyancinge-Conveyancing Contact Us