What Is Conveyancing?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one party to another. In Queensland, this process involves multiple steps, searches, and legal requirements that protect both the buyer and seller.
Order the right document
Which TitleFinder product matches this check?
Use the article as a reference, then order the actual record below when you need evidence for a purchase, conveyancing file, council check or due-diligence review.
Current Title / State Lease
Start here to confirm the current registered owner, title reference and registered interests.
$74.50 · Order this document
Image of Dealing Instrument
Use this when you need the registered dealing/instrument behind an easement, covenant, lease or caveat.
$91.80 · Order this document
Not sure which document fits? Start with the current title search, then add the plan or instrument if the title points to one.
At the heart of every conveyancing transaction is the title search. Understanding what title searches reveal and when to order them can save you thousands of dollars and weeks of delays.
The Conveyancing Timeline in Queensland
Pre-Contract Stage
Before signing a contract, smart buyers conduct preliminary searches to identify potential issues. A current title search ($74.50 AUD from TitleFinder) at this stage reveals the registered owner, any encumbrances, and the lot description.
This early search can uncover deal-breakers before you commit, such as unresolved caveats, undisclosed easements, or ownership disputes.
Contract Stage
Once the contract is signed, the buyer typically has a due diligence period (often 14 days for residential properties). During this time, the buyer or their solicitor conducts comprehensive searches including:
- Current title search to confirm ownership matches the contract
- Survey plan review to verify boundaries and easement locations
- Council searches for planning, building, and rates information
- Body corporate searches for units and townhouses
- Flood and contamination searches
Pre-Settlement Stage
In the days before settlement, the buyer conducts a final title search to ensure no new interests have been registered since the contract was signed. This protects against last-minute mortgages, caveats, or other dealings that could affect the title.
Settlement
On settlement day, the transfer documents are lodged with the Queensland Land Registry. The buyer pays the balance of the purchase price, and the seller delivers vacant possession. The new ownership is registered on the title, completing the transfer.
Essential Title Searches for Conveyancing
Current Title Search — $74.50 AUD
The foundation of every conveyancing transaction. A current title search from TitleFinder shows:
- Registered owner name and ownership structure
- Lot and plan description
- All registered encumbrances (mortgages, easements, covenants, caveats)
- Local government area
- Estate type (freehold, leasehold)
Historical Title Search — $86.50 AUD
A historical search traces the chain of ownership and past encumbrances. This is valuable for:
- Identifying previous uses that may affect the property (contamination risk)
- Understanding removed or varied easements
- Confirming the property history matches the seller representations
- Research for insurance or legal claims
Survey Plan — $85.90 AUD
The survey plan shows the physical layout of the lot including boundaries, dimensions, easement locations, and building restriction areas. Essential for:
- Confirming fence lines match legal boundaries
- Identifying where easements physically sit on the lot
- Planning renovations or extensions
- Development feasibility assessment
Dealing Instruments — $91.80 AUD each
When a title shows encumbrances like easements or covenants, the dealing instrument contains the full terms and conditions. Without reading the actual instrument, you only know the encumbrance exists, not what it requires.
Common Conveyancing Issues Revealed by Title Searches
Unregistered Mortgages or Caveats
A caveat lodged between contract signing and settlement can delay or prevent the transfer. The pre-settlement title search catches these issues early enough to resolve them before settlement day.
Boundary Disputes
Comparing the survey plan to the physical property can reveal encroachments by neighbours or by the property itself onto neighbouring land. These disputes are best identified before purchase, not after.
Incorrect Ownership Details
If the seller name on the contract does not match the registered owner on the title, the transfer cannot proceed without resolution. This may indicate a name change, deceased estate, or more concerning issues.
Undisclosed Encumbrances
Sellers are required to disclose known encumbrances, but a title search provides independent verification. Finding an undisclosed easement or covenant during due diligence gives the buyer leverage to renegotiate or withdraw.
The Role of Solicitors and Conveyancers
In Queensland, property transfers must be conducted by a licensed solicitor or conveyancer. Their role includes:
- Ordering and interpreting title searches and other property searches
- Reviewing the contract and advising on terms
- Conducting due diligence within the contractual timeframe
- Preparing transfer documents and calculating adjustments
- Coordinating settlement with all parties
- Lodging the transfer with the land registry
While solicitors handle the legal complexity, you can save time and money by ordering your own preliminary title searches before engaging them. TitleFinder makes this easy and affordable.
Electronic Conveyancing in Queensland
Queensland uses the PEXA (Property Exchange Australia) platform for electronic settlements. Most residential transactions now settle electronically, which has reduced delays and errors compared to the old paper-based system.
However, the underlying searches remain the same. Whether settlement is electronic or manual, a thorough title search is non-negotiable.
Tips for a Smooth Conveyancing Process
- Search early — order a title search before signing the contract, not after
- Read everything — do not skip the encumbrances section of the title
- Get the survey plan — boundaries matter more than you think
- Check dealing instruments — understand what each encumbrance actually requires
- Hire experienced professionals — a good solicitor pays for themselves in avoided problems
- Do the pre-settlement search — never skip this final check
Get Started
Whether you are buying, selling, or just researching a Queensland property, the right searches make all the difference. Visit TitleFinder to order your title search, survey plan, or dealing instrument today and take the guesswork out of your property transaction.