Conveyancer.

Scope of work: review the contract pre-signing, raise enquiries with the vendor's representative, conduct title searches and statutory enquiries (council, water, planning), arrange the e-settlement on PEXA, handle stamp duty payment and registration, register the new mortgage, manage chattels apportionment.

Licensing and regulation: NSW Conveyancers Licensing Act 2003, VIC Conveyancers Act 2006, QLD Property Occupations Act 2014 (with conveyancer-specific carve-outs). Each state has its own Board / authority. Most conveyancers are sole-traders or small partnerships. Major banks and solicitor firms also offer conveyancing as a side service.

Conveyancer vs solicitor: conveyancers are licensed only for property law and can't advise on related issues (estates, divorce, business-use property). Their PI insurance covers conveyancing only. Solicitors are admitted to legal practice generally and can scope into adjacent matters. For 80%+ of residential transactions, a conveyancer is sufficient and cheaper.

When you need a solicitor instead: estate / divorce / SMSF / family-trust / off-the-plan / commercial-use / business-attached property. If the conveyancer encounters complications mid-transaction (vendor breach, sunset-clause dispute, contract dispute), most will refer to a solicitor. Confirm this before engaging.

Finding one: state Conveyancers Board public register confirms current licence and any disciplinary history. AICNSW, AIC Vic, and similar state bodies maintain free directories. Major banks have panel conveyancers but often at higher fees than independents.