How to become a licensed conveyancer by state
Conveyancing can be a challenging yet rewarding profession for anyone with a keen interest in law and property, and a passion for helping others.
To thrive in the fast-paced world of conveyancing, you’ll need to have exceptional skills in organisation, multitasking, and communication, and a sharp eye for detail. You’ll also need a solid grounding in the laws and processes associated with property transfer.
Laying the foundations for a successful career in conveyancing, Monarch Institute can provide the education you need to hit the ground running in this unique and fulfilling industry.
What is conveyancing?
The term ‘conveyancing’ refers to the process of transferring ownership of a legal title of land from one individual or entity to another. A conveyancer, therefore, is someone (other than an Australian legal practitioner) who’s specifically qualified to handle and offer advice on these matters.
Pathways to becoming a conveyancer
Most states and territories in Australia allow individuals who are not legal practitioners to obtain a licence in order to conduct conveyancing work. Eligibility for a conveyancer’s licence varies depending on the location in which you’ll be operating, so it’s important to consult the legislation in your area to ensure compliance.
Generally speaking, you need to be over the age of 18 and have completed an approved course (or a recognised law degree) to conduct conveyancing work. Most states also require practical experience under supervision, though how much experience is needed will vary from state to state.
Three steps to becoming a conveyancer
Step 1: Complete an approved conveyancer course
The first thing you’ll need to do is complete an approved conveyancer course. This is where you’ll gain all the knowledge and skills you need to grow your career in this exciting industry.
An accredited course is also an excellent option for legal professionals looking to expand their knowledge in this area.
Step 2: Obtain a licence
If you want to obtain a licence, the application process is different for every state, so be sure to consult the local authority in your area before applying.
Step 3: Join the Australian Institute of Conveyancers (AIC)
The AIC is the peak body representing specialist conveyancers in Australia. They’re an excellent source of news, guidance, and information for Australian conveyancers, so we recommend joining the institute to continue developing your skills, knowledge, and career.
Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing
If you need to get qualified as a conveyancer, with an education that leaves you feeling prepared and confident, but you don’t have time to go to set classes or wait for start dates, we get it. Monarch Institute’s Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing was built for busy professionals like you.
Get practice with realistic transaction scenarios, without the pressure of working with real clients. Take the next step towards becoming a fully licensed conveyancer in your own right – or even managing your own practice with this practical, online course.
Additional resources by state
Looking for specific information about becoming a conveyancer in your state? Explore the resources below for relevant details in your area:
- National: Australian Institute of Conveyancers (AIC)
- Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria
- New South Wales: Fair Trading NSW Government
- South Australia: Consumer and Business Services South Australia
- Northern Territory: Northern Territory Government Department of Justice
- Tasmania: Consumer, Building, and Occupational Services Tasmania
- Western Australia: Australian Business License and Information Service. Conveyancers in WA are known as ‘settlement agents’.
Please note: While you can do conveyancing work in Queensland and the ACT, you cannot register as a licensed conveyancer in these states and must be working for a legal practice.
What is the day-to-day life of a conveyancer?
Conveyancing can be a diverse and exciting career where no two days look the same. Here’s a quick overview of what everyday life is like for a conveyancer in Australia.
Roles and responsibilities
At its heart, the role of a conveyancer is to ensure that people meet all their legal obligations when it comes to property transactions. What that looks like in reality can vary from day to day.
Let’s take a look at some of the everyday roles and responsibilities of an Australian conveyancer:
- Offer clients expert advice on buying and selling property
- Prepare, examine, and advise clients on real estate sales contracts and mortgage contracts
- Conduct due diligence and make enquiries into property sales to identify any problematic legal or financial clauses
- Prepare and execute legal documents
- Represent clients in meetings
- Handle title searches
- Negotiate deals on behalf of your client
- Liaise with clients and stakeholders
- Check and confirm ownership details
- Attend settlement procedures
- Maintain detailed records for every client
- Assist legal professionals by conducting investigations in the lead-up to court proceedings
Please note: Your scope of work can vary depending on your experience and the state in which you’re operating. We recommend consulting the relevant AIC division for more information.
What roles are available in conveyancing?
With the property market booming, there are plenty of job opportunities available for enthusiastic individuals looking to start their career in conveyancing.
Check out what’s available right now.
What are the perks of working in conveyancing?
There’s lots to love about a career in conveyancing. Here are just some of the perks you can expect:
- Excitement: No two files are ever going to be 100% alike, meaning every day can be a fresh and interesting new experience.
- Helping people: Conveyancing can be a very rewarding career because you get to help people navigate the daunting task of buying or selling property.
- Social interaction: Perfect for the social butterflies among us, a conveyancer works with people from all walks of life.
- Career progression: There’s a lot of opportunity for advancement, starting at supporting roles and moving all the way up to management positions.
- Job security: As long as people are buying and selling property, there will be a need for conveyancers. This makes it a relatively secure career choice.
What are some of the challenges of working in conveyancing?
Conveyancing is an excellent career for highly driven people with an eye for detail and a love for helping people, but it’s not for everyone. Here are some of the challenges you may face:
- Fast-paced environment: While some people thrive in this high-pressure world, others can find it too stressful.
- Multi-tasking: Conveyancers typically manage multiple clients at once. If you aren’t good at multitasking, this is unlikely to be the career for you.
- Repetitive work: While conveyancing can offer a lot of variety, there may be times where you find yourself stuck doing repetitive tasks, particularly at the start of your career.
- Clients backing out of deals: Sometimes, clients can unexpectedly back out of deals. This can lead to frustration and the feeling that all your hard work has gone to waste.
- Personality clashes: An inevitable part of every job. It can be difficult to maintain an air of professionalism when a client relationship goes bad.
Study conveyancing online
Ready to kickstart your career in conveyancing? Get in touch with our friendly Course Consultants to enrol in our Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing.
