Learning curve: So, you want to be a conveyancer?

If you’re reading this, you’re quite possibly already a licensed conveyancer.

But maybe there’s a child or young friend who sees what a great job you have and thinks “that’s what I want!” A few cynics might raise red-rimmed eyes from a laptop at 10pm and say “kid, think about joining the circus”.

But seriously, what does it take to be part of the profession these days?

There are the well-known regional differences (solicitors in Queensland and the ACT, settlement agents in Western Australia) but generally an entrant will need an approved VET qualification like a Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing (BSB60220).

Courses are offered by several universities, TAFEs and registered training organisations.

Australian Institute of Conveyancers NSW CEO Chris Tyler prefers uni courses.

“As universities, their compliance and oversight are a lot more rigorous,” he said.

A course like the NSW Southern Cross University’s Diploma of Conveyancing also offers credits towards further legal qualifications.

Macquarie University’s Conveyancing – Law and Practice course was highly regarded (“the best,” says one alumni), but it’s being dropped in 2027.

“Enrolments in the course have declined over time and other providers have entered the market,” a spokesman told AC.

Teaching staff will now focus on the uni’s law programs, “where demand is strong and continuing to grow”.

TAFE NSW currently does not offer a Diploma of Conveyancing; the closest is a Certificate IV in Legal Services more suited to a legal secretary or assistant paralegal.

One problem for tertiary institutions is students seeking faster, cheaper options.

“I think the reason there are fewer courses available is people are going for the easier route,” said Kristy Bell, of Bell Conveyancing in central-western NSW.

Once they have their certificate or diploma, next comes supervised work experience, after which one can apply to become a licensed conveyancer.

In NSW, that typically takes two years. In Victoria, it’s 12 months.

You must be over 18, a “fit and proper person” and hold professional indemnity insurance.

You should also join the AIC for ongoing professional development, information and support.

Getting a foot in the door can be hard. Most firms are small or sole operators (a 2023 survey found average staff of 2.2) with little time to train newbies.

The conundrum is that many are desperate for experienced recruits.

“They need staff who can pick up a file and run with it,” Tyler said.

It helps if a student is already an office junior or working in a related field like real estate while studying online.

“Coming into this job green, without any practical experience, it’s quite a weight on business owners,” Bell said.

“There’s a clear gap between formal education and what the job really requires day to day.

“I’ve had staff, despite having their degree, where I’ve had to teach them how to be a conveyancer.”

She said the ability to meet deadlines is a key advantage.

“Accountancy, property management or real estate on a CV… that would be a big green tick for me.”

So, after maybe four years of education, the work experience, the training… is the job worthwhile?

Well, yes. It’s secure, long term and personally rewarding. But there might be some grumbles about the pay.

Australia’s median annual salary is about $74,500. A conveyancing junior can expect to earn $60-70,000, rising to $75,000 to $110,000 for an experienced, licensed practitioner.

That might not seem great for a job entailing complexity, high stress, long hours and often difficult clients.

“The industry pay is appalling,” one respondent said. “I feel like we do so much for so little.”

“Working in conveyancing is extremely stressful for the wage we get paid,” said another. “It’s not worth the workload.”

It’s hard on owners too, facing savage price competition, crippling personal insurance premiums and government demands like AML/CTF compliance.

But graduates like Sydney’s Tim Keary see a bright future in conveyancing.

Keary switched to a more “family friendly” career after 15 years with the NSW Police, rising to detective senior constable at the State Crime Command. Pay at that level was good but he saw conveyancing as offering more scope for growth.

He works for Conveyancing at Pittwater. It’s owned by his mother Maureen and Keary expects to take over when she retires.

“If you apply yourself, there’s so many opportunities to open up your own business,” he said.

“You can do it from home. There’s a lot of competition but there’s still a lot of work out there.

“You can basically make as much as you want to make, as long as you do a good job.”

Keary studied four years part-time at Macquarie and found it quite demanding.

“I think it really challenged and tested me,” he said, “in finding and researching case law. Not just writing an answer but legally justifying it.”

He excelled, both as dux of the course and winning the Paul Denny Award for the top student from a non-conveyancing background.

Keary’s police training helped. “I think being able to read and understand criminal law was a very transferable skill across to property law,” he said.

Work, though, was a “baptism of fire. The course only gives you so much, a lot of things I learned on the job, such as using the PEXA platform”.

“I mean, we learned about contract law, but not really how to put one together.”

Although his mother owned the firm, Keary didn’t work there until after he graduated.

“I did a bit of filing here and there but didn’t really jump into conveyancing until I finished the course,” he said.

Bell, however, worked full-time in conveyancing while completing her associate degree in law at Southern Cross University.

Both feel prior experience in a demanding job is a huge advantage.

And having investigated organised crime and drug syndicates, it goes without saying that Keary will be the office AML/CTF manager.

§ WHAT IT COSTS

There are at least eight PEXA-recognised institutions providing an Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing (BSB60220) or similar qualification.

But the costs and duration of the courses vary considerably, from $4,000 to around $9,000, and more for university-level legal studies.

Registered training organisation KAMTAA appears the least costly, offering the advanced diploma at $3,995.

Monarch Institute has the BSB60220 at $4,950 up-front or on a weekly payment plan.

The National Business Institute offers the course for $4,995, or $1,500 down and monthly payments for the balance.

Western Australia’s West Coast Property Training (WCPT) offers a BSB60220 to be completed online within 24 months at $6,000. It is specialised for WA legislation.

WCPT’s Victorian extension Lurnn has a similar course tailored for local rules, also at 24 months and $6,000.

RMIT University runs the BSB60220 on-campus and full-time, which means living in Melbourne.

The cost is from $6,000 to $8,500 a year, depending on government support or whether it’s full fee.

If full fee, the total cost over one and a half years could be $12,750.

Government subsidies may be available. Some university law courses support a conveyancing career but are far costlier than these.

* Details correct at time of writing but subject to change. Check with the institution.

§ CHANGING THE GAME

As our main article reveals, there’s a much-lamented gap between tertiary qualifications and practical training.

Sydney law firm Renee Roumanos Legal is seeking to fill it with an online course called Conveyancing Mastery.

Launched on June 1, it’s designed for junior conveyancers, lawyers, paralegals and support staff, and at this stage is specific to NSW.

“I built the conveyancing course I wished existed when I started,” Roumanos said. She believes conveyancing is now one of the highest-risk areas of legal practice.

“One missed clause, one overlooked easement, cyber breach or incorrect advice can have devastating consequences.” Yet, she added, “Universities are still teaching paper settlements. I haven’t done paper settlements in years.

“The gap between what’s being taught and what practitioners actually encounter is a risk management issue for the entire profession.”

The 10-module CM course includes short-form videos, contract walkthroughs, due diligence checklists and practical explanations. Topics include pre-exchange risk assessment, contract review, digital settlements, AML and cybersecurity. There’s also a built-in community forum that can replace ad-hoc Facebook groups.

“Conveyancing Mastery is designed to produce practitioners who know what they’re doing from day one,” Roumanos said.

The course costs $1,000. The forum and an AML guide are free. For details, visit conveyancingmastery.com.au