How long does conveyancing take in NSW?

For a standard residential property transaction in NSW, the full conveyancing process from offer accepted to settlement day typically takes 6 to 10 weeks. The length depends on the settlement period agreed at exchange, how smoothly the searches and due diligence go, and whether either party encounters finance or title complications.

This guide focuses on NSW timelines, since NSW's separate exchange-then-settlement structure shapes the schedule below. Victoria's timeline is similar in length but structured differently around the Section 32 vendor statement -- see the Victorian conveyancing process.

General information about NSW property transactions, not legal advice. Timelines vary significantly between transactions. Speak with a licensed conveyancer or solicitor for advice specific to your situation.

Overview: the typical NSW timeline

Stage	Typical duration	What happens
Pre-exchange (buyer's due diligence)	1 to 2 weeks	Buyer's conveyancer reviews the contract, raises requisitions, building and pest inspection arranged, finance confirmed
Exchange of contracts	1 day (event, not a period)	Both parties sign; transaction becomes legally binding; cooling-off period begins (5 business days for most residential sales)
Exchange to settlement	42 days (standard); negotiable	Buyer arranges settlement funds, building insurance, final inspection; seller arranges discharge of mortgage; both conveyancers prepare for PEXA settlement
Settlement day	1 day (event)	PEXA settlement: funds transferred, title transferred, mortgage registered/discharged, buyer gets keys

Total elapsed time from offer accepted to keys in hand: typically 7 to 10 weeks for a straightforward residential purchase. Sellers tend to experience a similar timeline once a buyer is under contract.

NSW conveyancing timeline at a glance

The visual below shows a standard 42-day (6-week) settlement. Save or bookmark this if you are currently going through the process.

Buyer timeline, stage by stage

Stage 1: Offer and negotiations (days 0 to 3)

Before you can exchange, both you and the vendor must agree on the price, settlement date, and any special conditions. This is typically done through the agent. Your offer may be accepted immediately, or there may be a short period of negotiation. At this stage you are not yet legally bound and neither is the vendor.

Stage 2: Pre-exchange due diligence (days 1 to 10, running parallel)

Once you have an accepted offer, your conveyancer receives the vendor's draft contract and begins the review. This typically takes 3 to 7 business days. Your conveyancer will:

• Review the contract and all attached documents (title search, Section 10.7 certificate, strata report if applicable)
• Raise any issues or requests for amendments with the vendor's conveyancer
• Advise you on the terms, any unusual conditions, and what to check

At the same time, you should arrange a building and pest inspection (for houses) and confirm your finance is formally approved, not just pre-approved. Exchanging without formal finance approval is a significant risk in NSW, where finance conditions are not standard.

Stage 3: Exchange of contracts

Exchange is when both parties sign their respective copies of the contract and exchange them. In NSW, exchange now typically occurs electronically. The agreed settlement date is written into the contract at this point.

After exchange, you must pay the deposit (typically 10% of the purchase price, though a lower initial deposit is sometimes agreed). The 5 business day cooling-off period begins for most residential sales.

Stage 4: Between exchange and settlement (typically 42 days)

The period between exchange and settlement is when most of the administrative work happens:

• Your conveyancer orders any additional searches (council rates, water, land tax)
• Your lender prepares the formal loan documents and settlement instructions
• Your conveyancer prepares the transfer documents and coordinates with your lender
• Both sides book the PEXA workspace for settlement
• You arrange building insurance from the date of exchange
• You arrange the pre-settlement inspection (typically in the week before settlement)

Most of this happens in the background. From your perspective as a buyer, this period involves providing documents to your lender and conveyancer, and staying responsive to any requests.

Stage 5: Settlement day

Settlement in NSW is conducted electronically via the PEXA platform, mandatory for most residential transactions since 2019. At the agreed time, your conveyancer and the vendor's conveyancer connect in the PEXA workspace, funds are transferred, the transfer of land is lodged with NSW Land Registry Services, and the transaction completes. You receive the keys through the agent shortly after.

Seller timeline, stage by stage

Preparing the contract (1 to 2 weeks before marketing)

Before your property can be marketed or a sale negotiated, your conveyancer must prepare the contract of sale with all required attachments: title search, Section 10.7 certificate, sewerage diagram, and strata report (if applicable). This preparation typically takes 5 to 10 business days. Starting this early avoids delays when a buyer is found.

Marketing and finding a buyer (variable)

The time to find a buyer depends entirely on market conditions and your property. Auction campaigns typically run 3 to 5 weeks. Private treaty sales can be days or months.

From exchange to settlement (42 days, standard)

Once contracts are exchanged, your main obligations are:

• Maintaining the property in the same condition as at exchange
• Arranging the discharge of any mortgage (your lender needs notice; allow at least 10 business days)
• Ensuring you vacate and hand over the property in the agreed state by settlement day
• Attending the pre-settlement inspection arranged by the buyer

Settlement day (seller)

Your conveyancer handles the PEXA settlement workspace. Once settlement completes, your sale proceeds are deposited into your account (net of outstanding mortgage, agent commission, and conveyancing fees). You hand over the keys through your agent.

What causes delays

Most conveyancing delays are avoidable with good preparation. The most common causes:

• Finance delays: the buyer's lender takes longer than expected to produce formal approval or settlement instructions. Solution: have finance formally approved before exchange, not just pre-approved.
• Mortgage discharge delays: the seller's bank takes time to prepare discharge documents. Solution: instruct your lender well before the settlement date (at least 10 business days notice is standard).
• Title complications: a caveat on the title, an error in the registered documents, or an outstanding judgment can delay settlement. Your conveyancer should identify these in the pre-exchange searches, but some only emerge closer to settlement.
• Strata issues: for strata properties, obtaining an up-to-date levy certificate or resolving unpaid levies can add time.
• Unresponsive counterparty: if the other party's conveyancer is slow to respond to requisitions or prepare settlement documents, this can push the date out. Your conveyancer will apply pressure, and a formal Notice to Complete can be issued if necessary.
• Property condition disputes: if the pre-settlement inspection reveals the property is not in the condition agreed in the contract, the parties may need to negotiate a resolution before settlement proceeds.

Off-the-plan: a different timeline

If you are buying an off-the-plan property (an apartment or house and land package not yet built or registered), the timeline is fundamentally different:

• Exchange: you exchange contracts and pay a deposit at the time of purchase, which may be years before the property exists.
• Waiting period: settlement is triggered by the developer's registration of the strata plan (for apartments) or the separate title (for houses). This typically takes 12 to 36 months from exchange, but can take longer if the development is delayed.
• Sunset clauses: the contract will contain a sunset clause specifying a long-stop date. If registration does not occur by that date, rescission rights may arise under Part 4, Division 10 of the Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW). Be aware that developers have misused sunset clauses in the past; the law now restricts this.
• Finance: your finance approval obtained at exchange may expire long before settlement. You will need to re-apply for finance closer to the settlement date.

What to do if settlement is late

If the agreed settlement date arrives and one party is not ready to complete, the other party has options under the Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW):

• Negotiate an extension: the parties can agree to a new settlement date. This is the most common outcome when a delay is minor. The defaulting party may be liable for compensation for the other's costs.
• Issue a Notice to Complete: if the other party is in default, your conveyancer can issue a formal Notice to Complete under the contract. This gives the defaulting party a period (typically 14 days, though the period must be reasonable in the circumstances) to complete. Failure to comply after a valid Notice to Complete gives the innocent party the right to terminate the contract and claim damages.

A delayed settlement is stressful, particularly when you have already arranged moving trucks, bridging finance, or a chain of transactions. If settlement is at risk, contact your conveyancer early so they can assess the cause and advise on your rights.

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Conveyancing Explained provides general information about property transactions in Australia. It is not legal advice and does not create a client relationship. For advice on your situation, engage a licensed conveyancer, settlement agent, or property solicitor in your state or territory.