Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest things most people ever do — exciting, but stressful, and full of fine print that's easy to miss. You don't have to wade through it on your own. We handle the legal side properly, explain everything in plain English, and keep you out of the traps that catch people out at settlement. Here's exactly what's involved and how we make it as smooth as possible.
At a glance — our conveyancing service
| Principal lawyer | Elisa Rothschild BA/LLB |
| Years in practice | 14 years since 2012 |
| Office | 84 Chapel Street, St Kilda VIC 3182 |
| Initial consultation | Free — 15 minutes |
| Fixed fee range | $660-$990 inclusive of GST |
| Disbursements | At cost — no markup |
| Coverage | Melbourne metropolitan, regional Victoria, off-the-plan and subdivision matters |
| Phone | 03 4328 5084 |
| info@fogartyoliverandrothschild.com.au | |
| Settlement platform | PEXA electronic settlement standard |
| Senior-lawyer service | Elisa personally handles your matter — no paralegal handoff |
| Member of | Law Institute of Victoria |
| Integrated practice | Family law and wills coordinated where relevant |
What conveyancing service does Fogarty Oliver Rothschild provide?
Fogarty Oliver Rothschild provides senior-lawyer conveyancing in Melbourne at fixed fees of $660-$990 inclusive of GST. Principal lawyer Elisa Rothschild BA/LLB personally handles each matter — no paralegal handoff, no junior solicitor reading the file for the first time when you call. The fixed fee covers everything in a standard conveyancing matter: pre-contract Section 32 vendor statement review, contract review and any special conditions, title searches, owners corporation searches (where applicable), stamp duty exemption coordination (where applicable), PEXA electronic settlement attendance, and all coordination with the other party's conveyancer and the mortgagee banks. Disbursements (title fees, search fees, PEXA fees, council certificates) are charged at cost with no markup. The legal framework operates under the Sale of Land Act 1962 (Vic), the Property Law Act 1958 (Vic), the Duties Act 2000 (Vic), and the Electronic Conveyancing National Law (Vic) Act 2012. The firm handles standard residential conveyancing, off-the-plan purchases, first-home-buyer matters, owners-corporation properties, subdivisions, and developer-side multi-lot settlements. Where family law dimensions apply (property transfers between separating spouses), conveyancing is coordinated with the family law work in-house. This page sets out the full conveyancing service.
Book a free 15-minute consultation → | Call 03 4328 5084
What's included in the $660-$990 fixed fee?
The fixed fee covers everything in a standard conveyancing matter from pre-contract through to post-settlement.
Pre-contract:
- Section 32 vendor statement review under section 32 of the Sale of Land Act 1962
- Contract of sale review (REIV standard form or bespoke)
- Special conditions analysis
- Title search and ownership verification
- Owners corporation search (where applicable) under the Owners Corporations Act 2006 (Vic)
- Heritage overlay analysis (where applicable)
- Planning permit and building permit review (where applicable)
- Restrictive covenant analysis
- Pre-contract advice on issues identified
Contract phase:
- Coordination of contract signing
- Cooling-off period guidance (3 clear business days for private sales)
- Deposit handling and trust arrangements
- Special conditions monitoring
Pre-settlement:
- Stamp duty calculation and (where applicable) exemption coordination
- First Home Buyer Duty Exemption coordination (where eligible)
- First Home Owner Grant application (for newly built homes)
- Off-the-plan concession coordination (where applicable)
- Foreign buyer additional duty coordination (where applicable)
- Mortgage discharge coordination with vendor's mortgagee
- Mortgage establishment coordination with purchaser's mortgagee
- PEXA workspace establishment
- Identity verification (VOI) coordination
Settlement:
- PEXA electronic settlement attendance
- Funds transfer coordination
- Title transfer (electronic)
- Keys handover coordination
- Settlement statement preparation
Post-settlement:
- Title verification
- Land Use Victoria registration confirmation
- Council notification
- Water authority notification
- Final documentation provided to the client
What's not included (charged at cost):
- Land Use Victoria title search fees (~$30-$50)
- Council rate certificate fees
- Water authority certificate fees
- PEXA settlement fee (~$130)
- Stamp duty payable to State Revenue Office
- Court filing fees (where required)
- Survey fees (where required)
- Building/pest inspection fees (where required — typically arranged by client directly)
Where in the $660-$990 range will my matter sit?
The exact figure depends on matter complexity.
| Matter type | Typical fee |
|---|---|
| Standard residential purchase or sale, established home | $660 |
| Residential with owners corporation review | $770 |
| Residential with heritage overlay or planning analysis | $880 |
| Off-the-plan apartment with first home buyer stacking | $880 |
| Off-the-plan complex contract terms | $880-$990 |
| Property with FIRB requirements (foreign purchaser) | $880-$990 |
| Property with restrictive covenant analysis | $880-$990 |
| Multi-title property (combined sale) | $880-$990 |
| Subdivision or developer-side multi-lot | Bespoke quote |
| Commercial conveyancing | Bespoke quote |
The fee is agreed at the free 15-minute consultation. No surprise charges mid-matter.
What conveyancing matters does Fogarty Oliver Rothschild handle?
The full range of Victorian conveyancing matters.
Standard residential purchase and sale
The most common matter type. Established houses and apartments across Melbourne metropolitan and regional Victoria.
See Conveyancing fees Melbourne for more →
First home buyer conveyancing
Conveyancing where the buyer is eligible for the Victorian first home buyer stamp duty exemption (full exemption to $600,000; sliding concession $600,001 to $750,000), the $10,000 First Home Owner Grant for newly built homes, and (potentially) the off-the-plan concession.
See First home buyer conveyancing Victoria for more →
Off-the-plan conveyancing
Apartments, townhouses, and units bought before construction is complete. Sunset clause review under the Sale of Land Amendment Act 2019, change-of-plan provision analysis, defect rectification provisions, stamp duty concession coordination (extended to 21 April 2027), and PEXA settlement at plan registration.
See Off-the-plan conveyancing Victoria for more →
Owners corporation properties
Apartments, townhouses, and units with owners corporation arrangements. Full OC search including Form 23, OC rules review, minutes review, financial statements review, special levies review, defect liability assessment, and insurance verification under the Owners Corporations Act 2006.
See Owners corporation strata search Victoria for more →
Subdivision conveyancing
Dividing one parcel of land into two or more separately-titled lots. Subdivision Act 1988, Planning and Environment Act 1987, plan certification, Statement of Compliance, owners corporation establishment, plan lodgement with Land Use Victoria.
See Land subdivision conveyancing Melbourne for more →
Developer-side conveyancing
Multi-lot off-the-plan and subdivision settlements at scale. Master contract preparation, owners corporation establishment, statutory authority coordination, defect retention arrangements, and PEXA settlement coordination across many transactions.
See Digital property settlement for developers for more →
Family law property transfers
Where consent orders or Binding Financial Agreement requires property transfer between separating spouses or de facto partners. Section 44 of the Duties Act 2000 (Vic) stamp duty exemption coordinated. Integration with family law work in-house.
See Property settlement service for more →
Conveyancing by suburb
Fogarty Oliver Rothschild handles conveyancing across Melbourne metropolitan with specific knowledge of each area's typical issues.
Inner south and bayside:
- St Kilda — heritage overlays, foreshore properties, apartment OC complexity
- St Kilda East — period homes, apartment buildings, heritage considerations
- Elwood — bayside premium, heritage character
- Elsternwick — period homes, growing apartment density
- Ripponlea — heritage-protected streets
- Albert Park — heritage terraces, premium location
- Brighton — premium beachside, larger blocks
- Hampton — beachside families, established homes
Inner east:
- South Yarra — apartments, heritage commercial, off-the-plan developments
- Toorak — premium residential, substantial properties
- Malvern — heritage neighbourhoods, family homes
- Caulfield — Jewish community proximity, period homes
- Carnegie — apartment growth, OC matters
- Bentleigh — family homes, growing density
What about stamp duty?
Stamp duty (officially land transfer duty) is calculated under the Duties Act 2000 (Vic) on the dutiable value of the property — usually the purchase price.
2026 standard rates (principal place of residence, owner-occupier):
| Property value | Approximate stamp duty |
|---|---|
| $500,000 | $21,970 |
| $600,000 | $31,070 |
| $750,000 | $40,070 |
| $1,000,000 | $55,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $82,500 |
| $2,000,000 | $110,000 |
These figures are indicative. Use the State Revenue Office calculator for your specific situation.
Available concessions and exemptions:
| Concession/exemption | Eligibility | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| First Home Buyer Duty Exemption | First home buyer, purchase up to $600,000 | $0 stamp duty |
| First Home Buyer Duty Concession | First home buyer, purchase $600,001-$750,000 | Sliding concession |
| Off-the-Plan Concession | Off-the-plan apartment, townhouse, unit (until 21 April 2027) | Construction component excluded |
| Pensioner Concession | Eligible pensioners, owner-occupier | Reduced rates |
| Family Law Exemption (s44 Duties Act) | Transfer pursuant to consent orders, BFA, or court order | Generally $0 |
| Foreign Purchaser Additional Duty | Foreign buyers | Additional 8% surcharge |
We coordinate all available concessions and exemptions as part of the fixed fee.
What about PEXA electronic settlement?
PEXA (Property Exchange Australia) is the electronic conveyancing platform used for almost all Victorian property settlements in 2026. It operates under the Electronic Conveyancing National Law (Vic) Act 2012.
Key features:
- Electronic platform for both parties' conveyancers, banks, and government authorities
- Funds transferred electronically at settlement
- Titles updated electronically at settlement (no physical certificates of title)
- Standard fee approximately $130 per settlement (typically passed to buyer)
What it means for you:
- No need to attend a physical settlement
- Settlements typically completed within 15-60 minutes during the agreed window
- Documents signed electronically (with Verification of Identity confirmation)
- Faster than paper-based settlements
Identity verification:
PEXA requires Verification of Identity (VOI) before signing. Standard VOI uses face-to-face verification with prescribed identity documents. We coordinate the VOI process as part of the matter.
Why Fogarty Oliver Rothschild?
1. Senior-lawyer service throughout. Elisa Rothschild personally handles your matter. No paralegal handoff. No junior solicitor reading the file for the first time when you call. Direct lawyer contact for all calls and emails.
2. Fixed-fee transparency. $660-$990 inclusive of GST. Disbursements at cost with no markup. Fee agreed at the free 15-minute consultation. No surprise charges mid-matter.
3. Integrated practice. Conveyancing coordinates with family law (for property transfers between separating spouses) and wills and estates (for property held under various ownership structures) in one firm. Avoids the gaps and duplication of fragmented professional service.
4. Free 15-minute initial consultation. Substantive — issues identified, pricing confirmed, next steps agreed. No obligation.
5. PEXA-ready. Modern electronic settlement standard. No paper-based delays.
6. Stamp duty optimisation. All available concessions and exemptions coordinated. For first home buyers, family law transfers, off-the-plan, and pensioner concessions — substantial savings where eligible.
7. After-hours availability during auction weeks. Auction urgency requires same-day or 24-hour Section 32 review. We accommodate where possible.
How do I get started?
Step 1 — Free 15-minute consultation
Call 03 4328 5084, email info@fogartyoliverandrothschild.com.au, or book online. We discuss your situation, identify the matter type, confirm fixed-fee pricing, and identify any specific issues that need attention.
Step 2 — Pre-contract review (if you're buying)
For buyers, the most valuable conveyancing step happens before signing. We review the Section 32 and contract before you sign, identify any issues, and advise on negotiation positions.
For private sales, you have a 3 clear business day cooling-off period after signing. For auctions, there's no cooling-off period — pre-auction review is essential.
Step 3 — Engagement and document collection
If you decide to proceed, we engage formally. 50% of fixed fee on engagement; 50% at settlement.
Step 4 — Standard conveyancing through to settlement
Searches, stamp duty coordination, mortgage coordination, PEXA workspace, settlement attendance, post-settlement registration. Typically 30-90 days from contract to settlement.
Step 5 — Post-settlement follow-up
Title verification, council notifications, water authority notifications. Final documents provided to you.
What goes wrong without proper conveyancing?
The undisclosed OC special levy. A 2024 Carnegie matter where the Section 32 disclosed standard owners corporation arrangements but the OC minutes (which weren't in the Section 32) showed $14-$25K per unit special levies anticipated within 24 months for façade defects. We pulled the OC minutes during the pre-contract review and identified the issue. The buyer renegotiated the price by $20,000 to account for the expected levies. Without OC minutes review, the levies would have hit post-settlement.
The $77K stamp duty mistake. A 2024 family law matter where separating spouses transferred a $1.4M Melbourne property by direct transfer without consent orders. The State Revenue Office assessed standard stamp duty of approximately $77,000. Section 44 of the Duties Act 2000 exempts transfers pursuant to consent orders or BFA, but informal transfers don't qualify. Consent orders cost $2,750 would have saved $74,000 net.
The auction contract with a hostile special condition. A 2024 auction matter where the contract included a special condition obligating the buyer to pay any owners corporation special levies levied within 12 months post-settlement, even if known by the vendor pre-contract. Standard contracts don't include this. Pre-auction review identified the condition; negotiation removed it before bidding. Without pre-auction review, the buyer could have been liable for substantial post-settlement OC levies.
(Client names withheld. Identifying details modified.)
What about urgent or auction-week matters?
Auction-week matters need 24-hour turnaround. We accommodate where possible.
For auction-week buyers:
- Section 32 review can typically be completed within 24-48 hours of receipt
- Contract review and any special conditions reviewed
- Phone consultation for time-pressured questions
- After-hours availability during auction weeks where possible
For after-auction buyers:
If you've bought at auction without pre-auction review, get the documents to us as soon as possible. We can identify any issues quickly. For private sales after signing, the 3 clear business day cooling-off period gives time for review and (if necessary) rescission.
Urgent calls: 03 4328 5084 — call during business hours; for auction urgency, mention "auction" and we'll prioritise.
What about commercial conveyancing?
Standard commercial conveyancing (retail, office, industrial) is handled at bespoke quote agreed at consultation. The work is typically more substantial than residential — commercial contracts, lease implications, tenant arrangements, larger title structures, and specific statutory matters under the Retail Leases Act 2003 (Vic) where applicable.
For commercial matters, contact us directly to discuss scope and pricing.
How does conveyancing connect with family law?
A specific advantage of Fogarty Oliver Rothschild is the integrated handling of family law and conveyancing in one firm.
Where they connect:
-
Property transfers between separating spouses. Section 44 of the Duties Act 2000 stamp duty exemption coordinated. Title transfer effected. Mortgage refinancing or discharge coordinated. Same firm handles both the family law side (consent orders or BFA) and the conveyancing side (title transfer, mortgage, settlement).
-
Sale of family home as part of property settlement. Conveyancing for the sale; net proceeds distributed per consent orders.
-
Buyout of one party by the other. Title transfer, mortgage refinancing, stamp duty exemption — all coordinated in one process.
Benefit:
Integrated handling avoids the gaps and duplication that fragmented professional service produces. Both sides of the transaction (family law and conveyancing) are coordinated. No "the conveyancer didn't know about the consent orders" issues.
See property settlement service for more →
Frequently asked questions
How much does conveyancing cost in Melbourne 2026?
At Fogarty Oliver Rothschild, $660-$990 inclusive of GST. Disbursements at cost. The exact figure depends on matter complexity, agreed at the free 15-minute consultation.
What's included in the fixed fee?
Section 32 review, contract review, title searches, owners corporation searches (where applicable), stamp duty coordination, mortgage coordination with banks, PEXA settlement attendance, post-settlement registration, and all coordination with the other party's conveyancer. Disbursements at cost.
Do you handle off-the-plan purchases?
Yes. Off-the-plan conveyancing including sunset clause analysis, change-of-plan provision review, defect rectification provisions, and stamp duty concession coordination. Typically $880-$990 fixed fee given the additional complexity.
Do you handle first home buyer purchases?
Yes. First Home Buyer Duty Exemption (up to $600,000) or concession ($600,001-$750,000), First Home Owner Grant ($10,000 for newly built homes), and off-the-plan concession stacking where applicable.
Do you handle owners corporation properties?
Yes. Full OC search including Form 23, OC rules, minutes review, financial statements, special levies, defect liability assessment, and insurance verification.
Do you do PEXA settlements?
Yes. PEXA electronic settlement is the standard. Settlements typically completed within 15-60 minutes during the agreed window.
Can you handle urgent auction-week matters?
Yes. Section 32 review within 24-48 hours where possible. Phone consultations for time-pressured questions. After-hours availability during auction weeks where practical.
Do you handle developer-side and multi-lot matters?
Yes. Bespoke quote applies for substantial projects. Master contract preparation, owners corporation establishment, statutory authority coordination, PEXA settlement coordination across multiple transactions.
Do you handle family-law-related property transfers?
Yes — integrated with family law work in-house. Section 44 of the Duties Act 2000 stamp duty exemption coordinated.
What about commercial conveyancing?
Bespoke quote applies. Discussed at consultation.
What's the typical timeline from contract to settlement?
30-90 days for standard residential matters. Off-the-plan can be 1-4 years. Sale matters typically 30-60 days from contract.
Will the same lawyer handle my matter throughout?
Yes. Elisa Rothschild personally handles each matter. No paralegal handoff, no junior solicitor.
Ready to start your conveyancing matter?
The first 15 minutes are free.
📧 info@fogartyoliverandrothschild.com.au
📍 84 Chapel Street, St Kilda VIC 3182
🌐 Book a free 15-minute consultation online →
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. After-hours during auction weeks.
Reviewed by Elisa Rothschild BA/LLB — Principal Lawyer, Fogarty Oliver Rothschild. Admitted to legal practice in Victoria. Family and property law in Melbourne since 2012. Last reviewed 22 May 2026.
This page is general legal information, not advice for your specific situation. For advice, book a free initial consultation.