What is PEXA? Can I Act for Myself, or do I have to Use a Conveyancer/Lawyer?

KEY TAKE-OUTS

• Most NSW land dealings must now be lodged electronically through an approved Electronic Lodgment Network Operator (ELNO), such as PEXA or Sympli.
• Client Authorisation and Verification of Identity are important parts of the electronic conveyancing process when a solicitor or licensed conveyancer acts on your behalf.
• E-conveyancing allows property documents, settlement funds and land registry lodgment to be coordinated electronically.
• For a standard NSW property transfer, land dealings must be lodged by an authorised subscriber. In practice, most buyers and sellers engage a licensed conveyancer or solicitor to manage the transaction and electronic settlement on their behalf.

Reviewed: 20 August 2026

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Technology has significantly changed the way property transactions are completed in New South Wales. One of the biggest changes has been the transition from traditional paper-based settlements to electronic conveyancing, or e-conveyancing.

In NSW, most land dealings are now required to be lodged electronically through an approved Electronic Lodgment Network Operator (ELNO). PEXA, which stands for Property Exchange Australia, is one of the electronic platforms used by licensed conveyancers, solicitors, financial institutions and other authorised subscribers to complete property transactions.

For buyers and sellers, this raises an important question: can you manage your own conveyancing, or do you need to engage a licensed conveyancer or solicitor?

What is PEXA?

PEXA, or Property Exchange Australia, is an Electronic Lodgment Network that allows authorised subscribers to prepare and lodge land registry documents, coordinate financial settlement and complete property transactions electronically.

PEXA is one of two approved Electronic Lodgment Network Operators currently operating in NSW, alongside Sympli. Both provide electronic networks through which authorised subscribers can complete eligible land dealings.

If you are looking for a broader explanation of the platform and the settlement process, see our guide to what PEXA is and how it works for NSW property buyers and sellers.

PEXA can be used for a wide range of property dealings, including:

• Property transfers;
• Mortgages and discharges of mortgages;
• Caveats and withdrawals of caveats;
• Priority notices;
• Transmissions and other changes arising from the death of a registered proprietor;
• Leases and other eligible land dealings; and
• Financial settlements associated with property transactions.

In NSW, electronic conveyancing is now the normal method of completing land title transactions. Since October 2021, land dealings under the Real Property Act have generally been required to be lodged electronically through an authorised ELNO subscriber.

Client Authorisations and Verification of Identity

When you engage a licensed conveyancer or solicitor to represent you in an electronic conveyancing transaction, you will generally be asked to complete a Client Authorisation.

A Client Authorisation gives your conveyancer or solicitor authority to act on your behalf in relation to the specified conveyancing transaction. This can include signing and lodging relevant electronic documents, authorising financial settlement and taking other steps necessary to complete the transaction.

You will also be required to complete a Verification of Identity, commonly referred to as a VOI. This process is designed to confirm that you are the person you claim to be and helps reduce the risk of fraud in property transactions.

Licensed conveyancers and solicitors must take reasonable steps to verify the identity of clients and confirm their authority to enter into the transaction. Depending on the circumstances, verification may be completed by the conveyancer or solicitor or through an appropriate identity verification provider.

Benefits of PEXA and E-Conveyancing

Electronic conveyancing has changed many aspects of the traditional property settlement process. Some of the key benefits include:

• Electronic preparation and lodgment of land registry documents.
• Electronic transfer and disbursement of settlement funds rather than reliance on bank cheques.
• Reduced need for physical attendance at property settlements.
• Greater visibility of settlement information between participating conveyancers, solicitors and financial institutions.
• The ability to prepare settlement figures and payment directions electronically before settlement.
• Electronic lodgment of documents with NSW Land Registry Services following settlement.
• The ability to reschedule an electronic settlement where required and agreed between the relevant parties.
• Automated checks within electronic workspaces that can help identify certain errors before documents are lodged.
• Less paper handling throughout the conveyancing and settlement process.
• PEXA transaction service fees are generally charged when an eligible dealing is successfully lodged, with the amount depending on the type of transaction.

Electronic conveyancing does not mean that every transaction is instant or that delays cannot occur. Finance, mortgage discharge, documentation, property searches and other issues can still affect how long a conveyancing transaction takes.

Can I do my own conveyancing in NSW?

For a standard NSW property transfer, there is an important practical limitation on DIY conveyancing: land dealings must generally be lodged electronically through an approved Electronic Lodgment Network by an authorised subscriber.

Authorised subscribers include licensed conveyancers, solicitors, financial institutions and certain government bodies. A private buyer or seller who is not an eligible subscriber cannot simply lodge a standard property transfer electronically with NSW Land Registry Services themselves.

This means that while you may be able to manage some aspects of a property transaction yourself, you will generally need an authorised subscriber to complete the electronic land registry lodgment required to transfer ownership.

There is also considerably more involved in conveyancing than lodging the final transfer.

When buying property, the Contract for Sale can contain special conditions, disclosure documents and other provisions that affect your rights and obligations. A conveyancer or solicitor can review the contract, explain its terms, identify potential issues and advise you before you become committed to the transaction.

When selling property, a conveyancer or solicitor can prepare the Contract for Sale and required documentation, deal with enquiries from the purchaser’s representative and manage the transaction through exchange and settlement.

Other parts of the conveyancing process may include obtaining searches and certificates, dealing with transfer duty, coordinating with lenders, preparing settlement adjustments, verifying identity, preparing electronic land registry documents and completing financial settlement.

Both licensed conveyancers and solicitors can undertake conveyancing work in NSW. They are trained to identify issues that someone who does not regularly deal with property transactions may not know to look for.

For most buyers and sellers, engaging a professional therefore provides more than access to an electronic settlement platform. It gives you someone responsible for managing the legal and procedural requirements of the transaction and helping ensure the property transfer is completed correctly.

If you are buying, selling or transferring property in Sydney, our Sydney conveyancers can assist with contract review, conveyancing documentation and the electronic settlement process from start to finish.

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