A question we hear from buyers: if Unstated reads my Section 32, do I still need a conveyancer? The short answer is yes, and the two are not really competing. They do different jobs at different moments. Here is how they compare, and how most buyers use both.
They answer different questions
A plain-English summary and a professional review sound similar, but they sit at different points in your purchase.
A tool like Unstated answers "what does this document actually say?" You upload the contract of sale and Section 32, and you get a plain-English breakdown of the title, easements, covenants, planning zone and overlays, outgoings and owners corporation, plus the questions to raise, usually within about ten minutes. It is built for the buyer, in language a first-time buyer can follow.
A conveyancer or solicitor answers "what should I do about it, and how does settlement happen?" They apply professional judgement to your situation, order the title and rates searches, prepare the transfer, and move the money and title at settlement. That is the advice step, and it is regulated work for good reason.
A side-by-side comparison
| Unstated | Conveyancer review | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A plain-English summary of the documents | Professional review, searches and settlement |
| Answers | What the document says | What to do, plus the legal work |
| Language | Written for the buyer | Written by and for the profession |
| Speed | Usually about 10 minutes | Varies with their workload |
| Compare a few places | Yes, side by side | Usually one matter at a time |
| Legal advice | No, general information only | Yes, this is the advice |
| Handles settlement | No | Yes |
| Cost | A flat $29 per report | Part of their conveyancing fee |
Why buyers use both
The two work best together, in order.
Reading a plain-English summary first means you arrive at your conveyancer already understanding the document. Instead of paying for time while someone explains what an easement is, you can spend that conversation on the things that actually matter for your purchase. You ask sharper questions, you catch things earlier, and you go in clear on what you are signing. Our Section 32 checklist covers the same ground point by point if you like to work through it yourself.
It also helps at the stage before you have even chosen a conveyancer: when you are weighing up two or three places and want to understand each one quickly. Running each Section 32 through a summary, and comparing them side by side, helps you work out which property is worth taking to the professional review stage at all. If you are still deciding how to get a document reviewed, see our rundown of every way to get a Section 32 reviewed in Victoria.
What Unstated is not
We are careful about this, because it matters. Unstated does not give legal, building or financial advice. It is not a replacement for your conveyancer, solicitor or building inspector. It is not a risk score, a rating, or a recommendation to buy. And it cannot guarantee that every issue in a document has been found. It is a plain-English summary of the documents you already have, and the questions to take to the people who can advise you.
Used that way, alongside your conveyancer rather than instead of them, it does one useful thing: it makes sure you understand what you are signing before you sign it.
If you want to see what that looks like, view a sample report or run your own. And when you are ready for the professional review and settlement, that is your conveyancer's job, exactly as it should be.
Sources
- Sale of Land Act 1962 (Vic), section 32: the law requiring the Vendor's Statement that both a summary and a conveyancer's review relate to.
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Buying and selling property: the regulator's guidance on the buying process and professional review.
Sources verified 25 July 2026.
General information about buying property in Victoria, not legal or financial advice. Always confirm your own situation with a licensed conveyancer or other professional.
General information only. This article is not legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed conveyancer, solicitor, or financial adviser before making decisions about your specific situation.
Get your Section 32 in plain English.
Upload your documents and we'll send back a plain-English summary in about 10 minutes, flagged for the conversations worth having with your conveyancer.
Get a report →