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All Articles / Conveyancing

How to Become a Conveyancer

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.

How to become a licenced conveyancer by state?

Click on a state or territory for more information

nsw – You’ll need a licence and work experience

vic – You’ll need a licence and experience

qld – does not issue licences

sa – You’ll need a licence and insurance

wa – You’ll need a licence and work experience

tas – You’ll need a licence and work experience

nt – Check the govt site for updates

act – does not issue licences

How to become a licensed Conveyancer in …

New South Wales
Victoria
Queensland
South Australia
Western Australia
Tasmania
Northern Territory
ACT

How to become a conveyancer in NSW

Once you’ve completed your Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing, you can use your qualification to get a conveyancing job in an established conveyancing business or law firm.

If you would like to open your own practice or obtain a conveyancer’s licence whilst working with your current employer, here are the steps you need to take to become licensed:

Step 1:

Complete the Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing (BSB60220)

As per the Conveyancers Licensing (Qualification) Order 2006, an Advanced
Diploma of Conveyancing (BSB60220) or equivalent qualification is required
before you can be eligible to apply for a conveyancer’s licence. Specific Units of Competency must be obtained which are covered in Monarch’s Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing (Stream 2) course.

Step 2:

Take out a Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy

From 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, the master policy of professional indemnity
insurance (Policy Number LPS022960493) of AAI Limited (trading as Vero
Insurance) is the approved policy for conveyancers in New South Wales.

Step 3:

Complete 2 years of practical experience in conveyancing work

Of the two years’ experience, you’ll need to complete at least 12 months of full-time experience undertaking conveyancing duties under the supervision of either a New South Wales conveyancer with an unrestricted licence or a legal practitioner with an unrestricted practising certificate.

2 years with at least 12 months of supervised conveyancing duties

Step 4:

Create your MyServiceNSW account and apply

Along with the application, you’ll have to provide identity documents and proof of your Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy and pay the application fee. Applications typically take 20 minutes to complete.

After submitting your application with all relevant documents attached,
you’ll be notified via email whether your application was successful.
The average processing time is 30 days.

That’s it! Once you receive your conveyancer’s licence, you’re ready to open your own practice!

For more information, check out the Fair Trading NSW Government.

Disclaimer: Licensing requirements are subject to change. This information is provided as a guide only, students should make their own independent enquiries with relevant regulatory authority prior to making any decisions.

How to become a licensed conveyancer in Victoria

Once you’ve completed your Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing, you can use your qualification to get a conveyancing job in an established conveyancing business or law firm. If you would like to open your own practice or obtain a conveyancer’s licence whilst working with your current employer, here are the steps you need to take to become licensed:

Step 1:

Complete the Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing (BSB60220)

As per the Conveyancers (Qualifications and Experience) Regulations 2018, an Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing (BSB60220) or equivalent qualification is required before you can be eligible to apply for a conveyancer’s licence. Specific Units of Competency must be obtained which are covered in Monarch’s Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing (Stream 1) course.

Step 2:

Take out a Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy with a minimum of $2m coverage

Ausbrokers Countrywide are the brokers providing conveyancers’ professional indemnity insurance in Victoria.

Step 3:

Complete 12 months of equivalent full-time experience OR complete a recognised law degree

Undertake conveyancing duties under the supervision of either a fully licensed Victorian conveyancer or a legal practitioner authorised to supervise legal practice by others. This experience can be accumulated over a 5 year period if you work part time or change jobs.

NOTE: If your law degree did not include an approved practical legal training, you may still need to carry out the 12 months of supervised work.

12 months to 5 years of supervised practical experience

Step 4:

Create your myCAV account and apply

Along with the application, you’ll have to provide identity documents and proof of your Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy and pay the application fee. After submitting your application with all relevant documents attached, you’ll be notified via email whether your application was successful. The average processing time is 24 days.

That’s it! Once you receive your conveyancer’s licence, you’re ready to open your own practice!

For more information, check out the Consumer Victoria website.

Disclaimer: Licensing requirements are subject to change. This information is provided as a guide only, students should make their own independent enquiries with relevant regulatory authority prior to making any decisions.

Queensland does not issue conveyancing licences

While you can do conveyancing work in Queensland, you cannot register as a licensed conveyancer in these states and must be working for a legal practice.

How to become a licensed conveyancer in South Australia

Once you’ve completed your Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing, you can use your qualification to get a conveyancing job in an established conveyancing business or law firm.

If you would like to open your own practice or obtain a conveyancer’s licence whilst working with your current employer, here are the steps you need to take to become licensed:

Step 1:

Complete the Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing (BSB60220)

As per the Conveyancers Act 1994, an Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing
(BSB60220) or equivalent qualification is required before you can be eligible to apply for a conveyancer’s licence. Specific Units of Competency must be obtained which are covered in Monarch’s Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing (Stream 3) course.

The Stream 3 course not only satisfies the educational requirements to practice in South Australia but will also provide you with the practical skills to hit the ground running.

Step 2:

Take out a Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy with a minimum of $1.5m coverage

From 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025, the master policy of professional
indemnity insurance of AAI Limited (trading as Vero Insurance) is the approved policy for conveyancers in South Australia.

Step 3:

Apply for your license

You can submit your application directly on the Consumer and Business Services website. Along with the application, you’ll have to provide identity documents and pay the application fee.

After submitting your application with all relevant documents attached, you’ll be notified via email whether your application was successful. The average processing time is 4 to 6 weeks.

While South Australia doesn’t have work experience requirements to apply for a conveyancer’s licence, approval for a licence is a subjective assessment. Being able to show you have experience performing conveyancing duties in an
existing practice will benefit your application.

That’s it! Once you receive your conveyancer’s licence, you’re ready to open your own practice!

For more information, check out the South Australian Government website.

Disclaimer: Licensing requirements are subject to change. This information is provided as a guide only, students should make their own independent enquiries with relevant regulatory authority prior to making any decisions.

How to become a licensed settlement agent in Western Australia

Once you’ve completed your Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing, you can use your qualification to get a conveyancing job in an established conveyancing business or law firm.

If you decide you would like to open your own practice or obtain a settlement agent licence and perhaps stay with your current employer you could take the steps to obtain a settlement agent licence. Here’s how to get one:

Step 1:

Complete the Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing (BSB60220)

As per the Conveyancers (Qualifications and Experience) Regulations 2018,
an Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing (BSB60220) or equivalent qualification is required before you can be eligible to apply for a settlement agent’s licence. Monarch’s Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing course not only satisfies the educational requirements to practice in Western Australia but will also provide you with the practical skills to hit the ground running.

Step 2:

Take out a Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy

Marsh Advantage Insurance have been appointed as the brokers of
the Master Policy Agreement for settlement agents in Western Australia.

Step 3:

Complete 2 years of equivalent full-time experience

You’ll need to complete your 2 years of full-time experience undertaking
conveyancing duties under the supervision of either a fully licensed Western Australian settlement agent or a legal practitioner qualified to provide supervisation.

2 years of full-time supervised experience

Step 4:

Fill out and submit your Settlement

Along with the application, you’ll have to provide identity documents and proof of your Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy and pay the application fee.

After submitting your application with all relevant documents attached, you’ll be notified via email whether your application was successful. The average processing time is 24 days

That’s it! Once you receive your conveyancer’s licence, you’re ready to open your own practice!

For more information, visit the Australian Business Licence and Information Service website.

Disclaimer: Licensing requirements are subject to change. This information is provided as a guide only, students should make their own independent enquiries with relevant regulatory authority prior to making any decisions.

How to become a licensed conveyancer in Tasmania

Once you’ve completed your Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing, you can use your qualification to get a conveyancing job in an established conveyancing business or law firm.

If you would like to open your own practice or obtain a conveyancer’s licence whilst working
with your current employer, here are the steps you need to take to become licensed:

Step 1:

Complete the Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing (BSB60220)

As per the Conveyancers (Qualifications and Experience) Regulations 2018,
an Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing (BSB60220) or equivalent qualification
is required before you can be eligible to apply for a conveyancer’s licence.

Monarch’s Diploma of Conveyancing not only satisfies the educational
requirements to practice in Tasmania but will also provide you with the practical skills to hit the ground running.

Step 2:

Take out a Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy with a minimum of $2m coverage.

Professional Indemnity Insurance provides you and your business with cover
for the financial consequences of neglect, omission, or error. If someone was
to make a claim against you in this area, your business’ assets and reputation
will be protected by your Professional Indemnity Insurance policy.

Step 3:

Complete 2 years of equivalent full-time experience

You’ll need to complete your 2 years of full-time experience (or periods of part-time experience equalling a total of 2 years full time) undertaking conveyancing duties under the supervision of either a fully licensed Tasmanian conveyancer or a legal practitioner authorised to supervise legal practice by others.

Note that this experience must be completed within the three years preceding your license application.

Complete 2 years of full time experience within 3 years of applying for licence.

Step 4:

Apply on the Occupational Licensing Tasmania website

Along with the application, you’ll have to provide identity documents and proof of your Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy and pay the application fee.

After submitting your application with all relevant documents attached, you’ll be notified via email whether your application was successful.

The average processing time is 6 weeks.

That’s it! Once you receive your conveyancer’s licence, you’re ready to open your own practice!

For more information, check out the Consumer, Building and Occupational Services website.

Disclaimer: Licensing requirements are subject to change. This information is provided as a guide only, students should make their own independent enquiries with relevant regulatory authority prior to making any decisions.

Check the Northern Territory Government information and services website for more information.

ACT does not issue conveyancing licences

While you can do conveyancing work in the ACT, you cannot register as a licensed conveyancer in these states and must be working for a legal practice.

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.

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.

Any questions? Ask away!