How Long Does Conveyancing Take in Australia?
There is no single answer because every property transaction is different. The timeline can depend on the state or territory, the type of property, the contract terms, finance approval and whether any issues come up during the process.
In Queensland and New South Wales specifically, the conveyancing timeline differs significantly, because the legal process, contract structure and settlement mechanics work differently in each state. Understanding what happens at each stage, and what can cause delays, is one of the most important things a buyer (purchaser) or seller (vendor) can know before they begin.
At Milana Law, we manage the conveyancing timeline for clients across QLD and NSW from the very first step, ensuring every deadline is met, every search is ordered on time and every party is kept informed throughout.
General information only, not legal advice. Every transaction is different. Contact Milana Law for advice specific to your matter.
How Long Does Conveyancing Take in Queensland?
The standard residential conveyancing in Queensland usually takes between 30 and 90 days from the moment both parties sign the contract to the day settlement wraps up.
The exact timeframe in QLD is negotiated between the buyer and seller and written into the REIQ contract. Thirty days is the most common standard settlement period for a straightforward residential purchase, but 45, 60 or 90 days are also common depending on the parties’ circumstances, particularly where finance needs more time or the seller needs additional time before vacating.
The QLD Conveyancing Timeline: Stage by Stage
Day 1: Contract Signed
Both parties sign the REIQ contract. The buyer’s conveyancer receives a copy of the Sales Advice and opens the matter. The cooling off period of five business days begins from the day the buyer receives a copy of the contract signed by both parties.
Days 1 to 5: Cooling Off Period
The buyer has five business days to terminate the contract for any reason, forfeiting only 0.25% of the purchase price. During this period, the buyer should finalise their finance application and arrange any building and pest inspections. The conveyancer begins reviewing the contract and advising on conditions.
Days 1 to 21: Finance Clause Period
The standard REIQ contract includes a finance clause, giving the buyer a specified number of days to obtain unconditional loan approval. This is typically 14 to 21 days from contract date. The buyer must receive written unconditional approval, not just verbal assurance or pre-approval, before the finance date. The conveyancer monitors this deadline carefully and advises the buyer on timing.
Days 1 to 14: Building and Pest Inspection
The standard REIQ contract includes a building and pest clause, giving the buyer a specified period to obtain a satisfactory building and pest inspection report. This is typically 7 to 14 days from contract date. Evidence and photographs of the property’s condition should be taken on or before exchange, before the contract is signed, as by settlement stage, any dispute about the property’s condition becomes a he said she said situation with no reliable proof.
Days 14 to 30: Post-Conditions Searches and Settlement Preparation
Once conditions are satisfied, the conveyancer orders all required property searches, title search, local government search, water and sewerage search, body corporate search if applicable, and begins preparing for settlement. The conveyancer liaises with the buyer’s lender to coordinate loan documents and confirms the settlement date.
Day 30 (or agreed date): Settlement
Settlement is conducted electronically through the PEXA platform. The buyer’s lender releases funds, the seller’s mortgage is discharged, adjustments for council rates and water are calculated and applied, and ownership transfers to the buyer. The title is registered with the Queensland Titles Registry automatically at settlement.
How Long Does Conveyancing Take in NSW?
For most NSW first home buyers, the main conveyancing period runs from exchange of contracts to settlement, and the usual timeframe is about six weeks. In New South Wales, a settlement period of around 42 days is commonly provided in the contract. However, the actual timeframe can vary depending on the contract and circumstances of the sale.
Understanding the NSW conveyancing timeline requires understanding a fundamental distinction that does not exist in QLD, in NSW, exchange of contracts and settlement are two completely separate legal events, each with its own obligations and deadlines.
The NSW Conveyancing Timeline: Stage by Stage
Before Marketing: Contract for Sale Prepared
In NSW, the vendor’s conveyancer must prepare the Contract for Sale, including all prescribed disclosure documents, before the property can be advertised or marketed. This is unique to NSW and means the vendor incurs conveyancing costs and preparation time before a purchaser is even found. The contract must include the Section 10.7(2) Planning Certificate, drainage diagram, title search and title notations, and deposited or strata plan. On a sale, the process is: instructions received → contract prepared → contract sent to agent → Sales Advice received once a purchaser is found.
Exchange of Contracts
Exchange of Contracts, Once a purchaser makes an offer and both parties agree on terms, contracts are exchanged, both parties sign identical copies and exchange them. This makes the sale legally binding. A deposit, typically 10% of the purchase price, is paid at exchange
Days 1 to 10: Cooling Off Period
In NSW, the purchaser has a cooling off period of 5 to 10 business days from exchange. During this period, the purchaser should obtain unconditional loan approval from their lender. In NSW, a lender does not require an exchanged contract to issue unconditional approval, which means a purchaser can obtain approval before exchange if they have prepared well. The purchaser should also complete their building and pest inspection during this period if not done before exchange, as by the time settlement arrives, any dispute about condition becomes very difficult to resolve.
If the purchaser exercises the cooling off right and withdraws, they forfeit 0.25% of the purchase price. Once the cooling off period expires, the purchaser is generally bound to the contract.
Weeks 1 to 4 Post Exchange: Searches and Mortgage Documents
Weeks 2 to 4: searches, enquiries, duty work, mortgage documents and settlement preparations continue. Any missing documents or lender conditions often show up here. The purchaser’s conveyancer orders all required searches, council rates search (Section 603), water rates search, contaminated land search, Transport NSW search and any other searches appropriate to the property’s location. The purchaser’s lender prepares mortgage documents for signing.
Weeks 4 to 6: Pre-Settlement Preparation
Weeks 5 to 6: final figures are checked, eConveyancing steps are confirmed, duty must be ready, and the parties prepare for settlement and final inspection. Transfer duty must be paid at settlement or within three months from the date of exchange, whichever is the earliest. For off-the-plan residential purchases, the purchaser has up to one year from exchange to pay transfer duty. The purchaser’s conveyancer prepares the settlement statement showing all financial figures, purchase price, deposit paid, adjustments for rates and water, transfer duty and the balance payable.
Day 42 (or agreed date): Settlement
Settlement is conducted electronically through PEXA. The purchaser’s lender releases funds, the vendor’s mortgage is discharged, adjustments are applied and ownership transfers to the purchaser. The transfer is registered with NSW Land Registry Services automatically at settlement.
The Key Difference Between QLD and NSW Timelines
| Queensland | New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| When conveyancing begins for the vendor | When contract is signed | Before marketing, contract preparation required |
| When conveyancing begins for the buyer/purchaser | When Sales Advice received | When Sales Advice received after exchange |
| Exchange and settlement | One process, contract signed then settlement | Two separate legal events |
| Cooling off period | 5 business days from receiving signed contract | 5 to 10 business days from exchange |
| Standard settlement period | 30 days, negotiable up to 90 days | Around 42 days, negotiable |
| Finance clause | Built into REIQ contract | Not standard, added by special condition if agreed |
| Building and pest | Built into REIQ contract | Done before exchange or during cooling off, not typically a special condition |
| Transfer duty timing | Within 30 days of settlement | At settlement or 3 months from exchange (whichever earliest); 1 year for off-the-plan |
| Settlement platform | PEXA | PEXA |
| Title registry | Queensland Titles Registry | NSW Land Registry Services |
What Can Delay Conveyancing in QLD and NSW?
Understanding what causes delays is as important as understanding the standard timeline. The most common causes of conveyancing delays in both QLD and NSW include:
Finance delays
Obtaining finance is one of the most common sources of delay in the conveyancing process. A buyer (purchaser) whose lender is slow to process documents, requires additional information or reassesses borrowing capacity during the transaction can push back the settlement date. The buyer remains liable for penalty interest for each day of delay caused by their finance, even if the delay is caused by their lender rather than themselves.
Search delays
Council searches, planning certificates and other statutory searches are issued by third parties, local councils and government authorities, whose processing times the conveyancer cannot control. In busy periods, searches can take longer than expected. Milana Law orders searches as early as possible in every matter to minimise this risk.
Lender delays
Banks and lenders have their own processing timelines for loan documents, mortgage discharges and settlement authorisation. Delays from the lender, on either the buyer’s or seller’s side, are one of the most common causes of last-minute settlement issues. Early and proactive communication between the conveyancer and the lender is essential.
Missing or incorrect documents
Issues with obtaining certain documents or disputes over property titles can arise, leading to delays in the settlement process. In NSW, if prescribed disclosure documents are missing from the Contract for Sale, the purchaser may have the right to rescind within 14 days of exchange, which can derail a transaction entirely.
Title or property issues
Unexpected issues revealed by property searches, encumbrances, caveats, easements, unapproved structures or boundary disputes, require investigation and resolution before settlement can proceed. These issues are best identified as early as possible so there is time to address them without threatening the settlement date.
Communication delays
Slow (or a lack of) communication between transactional parties is one of the main hold ups for conveyancing. Delays in responding to requests for information, from the conveyancer, the lender or the other party’s representatives, add time to every stage of the process. Milana Law maintains proactive communication throughout every matter to keep transactions moving.
Can Conveyancing Be Completed Faster?
It is possible for conveyancing to be completed more quickly. A speedy process can happen, but it requires a cash buyer or fast finance, a pre-agreed contract, no search or inspection red flags and smooth and timely communication between all parties.
In both QLD and NSW, the settlement period is negotiated and agreed in the contract. A shorter settlement period, for example, 21 days in QLD or 28 days in NSW, is achievable in the right circumstances but requires all parties to be fully prepared and responsive throughout.
Getting a conveyancer involved before you sign is the single best way to avoid delays. A conveyancer who reviews the contract before exchange can identify potential issues early, advise on realistic timeframes and ensure the settlement date is achievable given the specific circumstances of the transaction
How Milana Law Manages Your Conveyancing Timeline
At Milana Law, timeline management is central to how we work on every matter. From the moment we receive instructions, or the Sales Advice on a purchase, we immediately calendar every key deadline: the cooling off expiry, the finance date, the building and pest date, the search order deadlines and the settlement date.
We do not wait for deadlines to arrive. We manage proactively, ordering searches early, chasing lenders before their delays become your problem, flagging potential issues weeks before they could affect settlement and keeping you and your agent informed at every milestone.
✅ Contract review before exchange in NSW, identifying issues before you are committed
✅ Immediate action on receipt of Sales Advice in QLD and NSW
✅ Early search ordering, minimising council and authority processing delays
✅ Proactive lender liaison, so finance is ready on time
✅ Clear timeline communication, you always know where your matter stands
✅ After hours availability with Kylie, because settlement issues do not wait for business hours
✅ Fully online, documents signed and provided from anywhere in QLD or NSW
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does conveyancing take in QLD?
The standard settlement period in QLD is 30 days from contract date, though this is fully negotiable and 45, 60 or 90 days are also common. The total conveyancing process from contract signing to settlement typically takes between 30 and 90 days depending on the agreed settlement period and any delays from finance, searches or other factors.
Q: How long does conveyancing take in NSW?
The standard settlement period in NSW is around 42 days from exchange of contracts. The total conveyancing process from exchange to settlement is typically 6 weeks for a standard residential purchase, though this can vary depending on finance, searches and the specific circumstances of the transaction.
Q: When should I appoint a conveyancer in QLD?
In QLD, appointing a conveyancer before you sign the contract is strongly recommended. The conveyancer can review the contract and advise on conditions before you are legally committed. Once the contract is signed, Milana Law acts immediately on receipt of the Sales Advice.
Q: When should I appoint a conveyancer in NSW?
In NSW, the vendor should appoint a conveyancer before the property is marketed, because the Contract for Sale must be prepared and ready before advertising begins. The purchaser should appoint a conveyancer before exchange, so the contract can be reviewed before they are legally committed.
Q: What is the fastest possible conveyancing timeline?
In ideal conditions, cash purchase, pre-prepared contract, no search issues and fast communication from all parties, conveyancing in QLD can be completed in as little as 14 to 21 days. In NSW, 28 days from exchange to settlement is achievable in straightforward circumstances. However, these fast timelines require everything to go smoothly and all parties to be fully responsive throughout.
Q: Can I negotiate the settlement date?
Yes, the settlement date is agreed between the buyer (purchaser) and seller (vendor) and written into the contract. It can be changed by agreement between the parties after exchange or contract signing. Any change to the settlement date must be formally agreed in writing between the conveyancers. Milana Law will advise you on the most realistic and appropriate settlement period for your specific transaction.
Q: What happens if settlement is delayed past the agreed date?
If settlement does not occur on the agreed date, penalty interest may apply under the contract, payable by whichever party caused the delay. If the delay persists, a Notice to Complete may be issued, giving the defaulting party a specified period to settle. Contact Milana Law immediately if you believe settlement may be delayed, acting early gives the most options.
Q: Does the type of property affect how long conveyancing takes?
Yes. Off-the-plan purchases are a different category again. They may be tied to registration, construction milestones, or a sunset clause, which means the actual wait for settlement can be much longer than six weeks. Strata properties require additional searches, body corporate in QLD or strata records in NSW, which add time. Rural and commercial properties involve more complex due diligence. Milana Law advises on the realistic timeline for each property type at the outset of every matter.
About Milana Law: QLD and NSW Conveyancing
Milana Law provides conveyancing services for buyers (purchasers) and sellers (vendors) across Queensland and New South Wales. NSW conveyancing is led by Kylie, a licensed conveyancer with over 20 years of NSW experience, available after hours and fully online for clients across both states.
📞 QLD: 07 3522 1422 | 📞 NSW: 02 8360 8999 | 📧 info@milanalaw.com.au | 🌐 milanalaw.com.au