What are conveyancing disbursements and search fees?

When you receive a conveyancing quote, it is usually split into two parts: Professional Fees (what the lawyer charges for their time and expertise) and Disbursements (out-of-pocket expenses paid to third parties).

Disbursements are essential “health checks” on the property. We purchase these searches from government agencies and councils to ensure you are buying a “clean” title without hidden debts or problems.¹

Standard Residential Searches

For a typical house purchase in Queensland, standard disbursements include:

1. Title Search (~$25 - $35)

Obtained from Titles Queensland. It proves who owns the land and reveals “encumbrances” such as:

• Mortgages (which must be removed at settlement).
• Easements (rights for others to use your land).
• Caveats (claims by other parties).

2. Registered Plan Search (~$25 - $35)

Shows the official survey map of the block. We use this to check that the land area matches the contract and that there are no obvious boundary encroachments.

3. Council Rates Search (~$150 - $250)

Confirms:

• Whether the seller has paid their rates (if not, we deduct it from their money at settlement).
• The property’s rateable value.
• If there are any “requisitions” (outstanding orders) on the land.

4. Water Meter & Usage Search (~$80 - $120)

Shows the average daily water usage and whether there are unpaid water bills. We adjust the settlement figures so you don’t pay for the seller’s water use.

5. Land Tax Clearance Certificate (~$60 - $70)

Confirms if the seller owes land tax to the State Government. Unpaid land tax is a charge on the land—if we don’t check this, you could inherit the seller’s tax debt.²

6. PEXA Fee (~$132.66)

The fee charged by Property Exchange Australia to facilitate the electronic settlement workspace.³

Optional (But Recommended) Searches

Depending on the property’s location and type, we may recommend:

• Body Corporate Information Certificate: (For units/townhouses) reveals levies, insurance, and by-laws. Expensive (~$100-$300) but critical.
• Main Roads Search: Checks if the Department of Transport plans to resume part of the land for road widening.
• Flood Search: Checks the council’s recorded flood levels for the lot.
• QCAT Tree/Fence Disputes: Checks for existing tribunal orders regarding neighbour disputes.
• Bankruptcy Search: Confirms the seller isn’t bankrupt (which would complicate the sale).

Why Can’t I Skip These?

Technically, you can instruct us to skip some searches to save money, but it is high risk.

Example risk: You skip the Land Tax search to save $65. After settlement, the Office of State Revenue sends you a bill for $15,000 in unpaid land tax from the previous owner. Because you now own the land, you are liable to pay it.

Related Property Topics

• How much does conveyancing cost?
• What is PEXA settlement?
• What is stamp duty?
• Property Law Practice Area

Transparent Pricing

At Bell & Senior, we provide fixed-fee conveyancing quotes that clearly itemise your estimated disbursements so there are no surprises.

Get a quote today: Contact our Southport office or call (07) 5532 8777.