Buying a home

Property professionals: who to hire and how to check them

What a conveyancer, inspector, mortgage broker and buyer's agent each do, how they are paid, and where to check their licence in every state.

The short answer

This guide covers four professionals a buyer may hire: a conveyancer or solicitor, a building and pest inspector, a mortgage broker and a buyer's agent. Before you pay any of them, check them on the official register for your state (the table below), get the fee in writing, and never send money to bank details that arrive by email without phoning the business on a number you found yourself. (National Anti-Scam Centre (ACCC), verified 22 Oct 2026)

Who may do your conveyancing is set by each state, and so is where you check them: NSW licenses conveyancers through NSW Fair Trading (NSW Fair Trading (NSW Government), verified 22 Oct 2026), while Queensland Government guidance on selling a home refers to solicitors (Queensland Government, verified 22 Oct 2026).

Who does what, and how each is paid

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None of the government pages cited on this page publishes a typical dollar range for these fees, so this guide does not give one. What they do say: ask for the costs in writing first, and know who is paying the professional, because a broker is generally paid by the lender (Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Moneysmart), verified 22 Oct 2026).

Licence checks by state

Each cell is what that state's own guidance says, with its source. "Not sourced yet" means Delora has not found the official rule for that state; it does not mean there is no rule.

Conveyancers and solicitors

Buyer's agents and building inspectors

More on conveyancing in each state, including the gaps, is in conveyancer or solicitor: who can do it in each state.

Mortgage brokers: one national check

A broker is checked on ASIC's registers rather than a state register: ASIC's Professional Registers: credit representatives and credit licensees (Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Moneysmart), verified 22 Oct 2026).

• Moneysmart (ASIC): lenders generally pay mortgage brokers a commission, a percentage of the loan amount that typically has an upfront and an ongoing payment, and brokers must give you information about the commissions they may receive. You must sign a quote before a broker can provide services and request payment of a fee, and a broker is not entitled to request a fee before providing their services. Brokers must act in your best interests. Before meeting one, check ASIC's Professional Registers (credit representatives and credit licensees) that they have a licence to give credit advice; an unresolved complaint can go to AFCA for free, independent dispute resolution. (Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Moneysmart), verified 22 Oct 2026)
• Mortgage brokers' best interests duty is set out in ASIC Regulatory Guide 273, giving effect to sections 158LA and 158LE of the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (inserted by the Financial Sector Reform (Hayne Royal Commission Response) Act 2020). Brokers have been required to comply since 1 January 2021. (Australian Securities and Investments Commission, verified 18 Aug 2026)

Red flags

A professional who is not on the register, will not put the fee in writing, or has an arrangement with the seller's side is a reason to stop. In WA, for example, a conjunctional agent (also known as a buyer manager) is not a buyer's agent: they work for the seller and share the seller's commission if you buy (Consumer Protection WA, verified 22 Oct 2026). Separately from fees, payment redirection scams, where a scammer sends new bank details posing as someone you are paying, cost Australians $166.8 million in 2025 (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, verified 22 Oct 2026). See red flags and scams for each professional and the checks before you pay.

Common questions

Do I need a conveyancer or a solicitor?

It depends on the state. In NSW the two are equally qualified for conveyancing, Victoria allows lawyers and non-lawyer conveyancers, and in Western Australia a licensed settlement agent or a certified legal practitioner can do it. Queensland Government guidance refers to solicitors.

How do I check that a buyer's agent is licensed?

In NSW a buyer's agent must hold a real estate agent's licence, or a certificate of registration and work under a licensed agent; in WA they can be a licensed real estate agent or a registered sales representative. Search the register in the table on this page before you sign an agreement.

Is there an official price for conveyancing or a building inspection?

None of the government pages cited here sets or publishes a typical price. NSW Government guidance is to ask for an itemised statement of the likely costs before work starts, and a buyer's agent's fee in NSW and WA is negotiable.

Practical checklist

Before you hire a property professional

• Search the official register for your state by name or licence number
• Get the fee, and how the professional is paid, in writing before work starts
• Ask whether they have any arrangement with the seller, the selling agent or a lender
• Save their phone number from their official website, not from an email

Questions for a professional

• What is your licence or registration number, and which register lists it?
• What will the total cost be, including disbursements, and when is it payable?
• Do you receive any commission, rebate or referral payment connected with my purchase?
• How will you confirm your bank details with me before I pay you or settle?

Official resources

• NSW Government: check a licence for a property agent or conveyancer
• Consumer Affairs Victoria: public register of licensed conveyancers
• Consumer Protection WA: licence and registration search
• Consumer and Business Services SA: find a licence holder
• Moneysmart: using a mortgage broker

Sources and methodology

• Seek expert advice on property — Consumer Affairs Victoria (retrieved 30 Jul 2026, last checked 7 Aug 2026). Licence: CC BY 4.0
• Conveyancing for property buyers and sellers | NSW Government — NSW Fair Trading (NSW Government) (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Licence: CC BY 4.0
• Inspect properties before you buy — Consumer Affairs Victoria (retrieved 29 Jul 2026). Licence: CC BY 4.0
• Pre-purchase inspection reports for buyers | NSW Government — NSW Fair Trading (NSW Government) (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Licence: CC BY 4.0
• Pre-purchase inspection reports (agents) | NSW Government — NSW Fair Trading (NSW Government) (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Licence: CC BY 4.0
• Using a mortgage broker — ASIC (Moneysmart) (retrieved 29 Jul 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Using a mortgage broker | Moneysmart (ASIC) — Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Moneysmart) (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Using a real estate agent to buy a property | NSW Government — NSW Fair Trading (NSW Government) (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Licence: CC BY 4.0
• Working with your lawyer | Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner — Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Appointing a solicitor | Queensland Government — Queensland Government (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Settlement agents | Consumer Protection WA — Consumer Protection, Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (WA) (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Consumer Protection licence and registration search | Consumer Protection WA — Consumer Protection WA (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Conveyancer registration | SA.GOV.AU — Consumer and Business Services (SA) (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Find a licence holder | Consumer and Business Services — Consumer and Business Services (SA) (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Apply for or renew a conveyancer licence | Consumer, Building and Occupational Services Tasmania — Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (Tasmania) (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Conveyancer | Consumer Affairs Tasmania — Consumer Affairs Tasmania (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Eligibility for conveyancing agents | NT.GOV.AU — Northern Territory Government (Agents Licensing Board) (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Check a licence for a property agent or conveyancer | NSW Government — NSW Fair Trading (NSW Government) (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Licence: CC BY 4.0
• Public register of licensed conveyancers | Consumer Affairs Victoria — Consumer Affairs Victoria (Business Licensing Authority) (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Public register — search for licensed estate agents — Consumer Affairs Victoria (retrieved 15 Aug 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Check a property licence — Queensland Government (Office of Fair Trading) (retrieved 15 Aug 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Consumer Protection licence and registration search — WA Government (Consumer Protection) (retrieved 15 Aug 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Licensing for business, real estate and stock and station agents — ACT Government (Access Canberra) (retrieved 15 Aug 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Licensing NT — Public Register — NT Government (retrieved 15 Aug 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Inspect properties before you buy | Consumer Affairs Victoria — Consumer Affairs Victoria (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Inspections | Queensland Government — Queensland Government (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Completed residential building inspection | Queensland Building and Construction Commission — Queensland Building and Construction Commission (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Regulatory Guide 273: Mortgage brokers: Best interests duty — Australian Securities and Investments Commission (retrieved 18 Aug 2026). Licence: CC BY 4.0
• Planning to buy a property | Consumer Protection WA — Consumer Protection WA (retrieved 23 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• From the Commissioner: Thinking of using a buyer's agent? Follow these tips | Consumer Protection WA — Consumer Protection WA (retrieved 23 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Business email compromise scams | Scamwatch — National Anti-Scam Centre (ACCC) (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Continued action critical to combat fraud as annual scam losses exceed $2 billion | ACCC — Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site
• Targeting scams report | Scamwatch — National Anti-Scam Centre (ACCC) (retrieved 22 Oct 2026). Reuse terms: see the publisher's site

Figures on this page are drawn from Delora's local knowledge graph, refreshed from these primary sources and checked for changes on a regular schedule. If a figure here looks out of date, the official source above is always the authority — please let us know.