The typical Australian ILA price range

Across Australia, fixed-fee independent legal advice for a single borrower or guarantor typically falls in the range of $300 to $1,200. The wide spread reflects a few things: whether the firm has a specialist ILA practice or treats it as a side service, whether you're already a client (existing-client discounts are common), where the firm is located, and how the fee is structured.

A few rough benchmarks based on what we see in the market:

  • $200–$350: "Mate's rates" from a solicitor you've used before, or a junior lawyer at a high-volume firm doing a quick certificate. Usually no document review, just the meeting and signature.
  • $385–$600: Fixed-fee online or hybrid practices that do ILA as a specialty. Document review is included, the meeting runs 30–45 minutes, and the certificate is delivered electronically. For context on what that certificate is and why the bank needs it, see what is an ILA certificate.
  • $650–$1,200+: Traditional firms charging hourly. The headline price often excludes things like extra parties, complex security structures, or after-hours appointments.

You'll occasionally see practices advertising sub-$200 ILA. Read the fine print carefully — those quotes often exclude document review, only cover one party, or apply only if you also use the firm for conveyancing. ILA and conveyancing are separate jobs — we cover how they fit together here.

Fixed fee vs hourly billing

This is the single biggest variable in what you'll actually pay. The same appointment, at the same firm, can produce a $400 invoice or a $1,500 invoice depending on how the firm bills.

Fixed fee means you're quoted one number upfront that covers everything: pre-meeting document review, the appointment itself, the signed certificate, and delivery to your broker or lender. Nothing else gets added unless you specifically ask for extra work outside that scope.

Hourly billing means you're charged for time. The headline hourly rate (often $300–$550/hr for a senior solicitor) gets applied to document review, the meeting, phone calls with your broker, file administration, and certificate preparation. A "simple" ILA at an hourly firm often invoices at 1.5–3 hours of work.

The practical effect: if you're quoted hourly and the appointment is straightforward, you might pay less than a fixed-fee firm. If anything at all is non-standard — a second guarantor, a corporate trustee, an after-hours session, a clarification call — the invoice quickly creeps past the equivalent fixed fee. Most borrowers prefer the certainty of a fixed price.

What should be included in the fee

When you compare quotes, make sure each one covers the same scope of work. A fair, complete ILA fee should include:

  • Pre-meeting document review — the solicitor reads your loan offer, mortgage, and any guarantee or related documents before the appointment.
  • Identity verification — required for every Australian legal practitioner; sometimes billed separately at firms with weaker processes.
  • The video or in-person meeting, usually 30–45 minutes.
  • Signing and witnessing of the loan or guarantee documents.
  • The signed ILA certificate in the format your lender accepts.
  • Delivery of the certificate directly to your broker, lender, or solicitor.
  • Follow-up for minor questions before settlement.

If a quote doesn't make the inclusions clear, ask. Some firms charge separately for the certificate itself, for sending it electronically, or for "non-standard" lender templates — all of which should be part of a one-line fee.

Hidden costs to watch for

A few things consistently catch borrowers out:

Per-person pricing. If both spouses or both parents need ILA, the quoted fee might be per person. Two guarantors at $550 each is $1,100, not $550 — always confirm the total.

Urgency surcharges. Some firms charge 25–50% extra for "urgent" or after-hours appointments. If your settlement is days away, this can be a meaningful add-on. Fixed-fee online firms typically don't charge a surcharge.

Travel time. At traditional firms, if you can't get to their office and they come to you, expect a separate travel charge. Video appointments eliminate this entirely.

Re-certification. If the loan documents change between your ILA appointment and settlement (a different loan amount, a different security, a corrected name), you may need a fresh certificate. Some firms re-issue at no charge for minor changes; others bill again.

GST. Quotes are sometimes given "plus GST." A $500 quote becomes $550 once GST is added. Look for "inc. GST" or ask directly.

How to budget for ILA confidently

For most Australian borrowers, the cleanest approach is to budget around $500–$600 inc. GST for a single ILA appointment, and double that figure if a second party (spouse, parent) is also required. Anything materially cheaper than that is worth scrutinising; anything materially more expensive usually involves hourly billing or in-person travel.

The fee is settlement-critical: the loan can't proceed without the certificate, and chasing a quote during a tight settlement week is more expensive in stress than the price difference between firms. Lock it in early.

At ILA Online, the fee is a flat $550 inclusive of GST per ILA appointment — covering everything in the list above, with no urgency surcharge and no after-hours premium.

Is it actually worth paying for?

ILA is a regulated service, and the bank won't release loan funds without the signed certificate, so the practical answer is "yes — or you don't settle." But there's a substantive case for value too.

A guarantor giving security over their home is often risking hundreds of thousands of dollars. An SMSF buyer is locking in a structure that's hard to unwind. A first-home-buyer couple is making the biggest financial commitment of their lives. Spending $550 on a 45-minute conversation with an independent solicitor before you sign isn't just compliance — it's the cheapest financial-protection insurance you'll ever buy.

The clients who walk away from an ILA appointment wishing they'd done it sooner usually fall into one of two camps: they discovered something material in the document they hadn't noticed, or they finally got a clear explanation of what "guarantor" actually meant. Either way, $550 well spent.

General information only. This article gives general guidance for Australian borrowers and guarantors. It is not legal advice and does not consider your individual circumstances. For advice on your specific situation, book a paid ILA appointment or speak to a qualified Australian solicitor.