BECOMING A CONVEYANCER

Looking for a new career, why not consider a career as a licensed conveyancer?

Conveyancing is a satisfying career combining the challenge of helping people and practising in the area of property law.

In New South Wales the Office of Fair Trading is the authority responsible for administration of the Conveyancers Licensing Act and the issue of conveyancers' licenses. You will find more information from the Office of Fair Trading on the "links" page of this web site that will link you to the Office of Fair Trading and their requirements for licensing.

Conveyancers are employed in Conveyancing firms or large legal firms or may be self-employed, they must undertake ongoing professional development each year to retain their licence. There is a big future in conveyancing for those who want to apply themselves, and with the, shortly to be introduced electronic conveyancing procedures, there are exciting times ahead.

Students are encouraged to join the Institute as a student member, applications for membership can be found under 'Membership' on our home page or in the "Members Section" of this site.

To qualify for an unrestricted licence, students must complete the conveyancing course and, either during after or before completing the course, obtain two years practical experience either working in a conveyancer's office or in a legal office doing conveyancing.

Three New South Wales teaching institutions conduct the conveyancing course required to be completed to qualify as a licensed conveyancer.

- Ultimo TAFE Sydney 1300 360 601 (fulltime and part time courses available) 
   See >>> Ultimo TAFE Conveyancing Advanced Diploma
- Macquarie University, Ryde (02) 98507470 (Correspondence course)
   See >>> Macquarie University Conveyancing Law and Practice Program
- Southern Cross University, Lismore (02) 6620 3115 (Correspondence course)
  See >>> Southern Cross University Associate degree in Law (Paralegal studies)

You can inquire on any matter relating to conveyancing or the requirements to obtain a licence by ringing us on 9633 1355.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR CONVEYANCERS

Conveyancers are licensed under the Conveyancers Licensing Act and can perform conveyancing work in relation to all property matters, including the sale and purchase of businesses.

Conveyancing work is defined in the Act as: legal work carried out in connection with any transaction that creates, varies, transfers or extinguishes a legal or equitable interest in any real or personal property. Conveyancing work includes legal work involved in preparing any document (such as, an agreement, conveyance, transfer, lease or mortgage) that is necessary to give effect to any conveyancing transaction, and legal work (such as the giving of advice or the preparation, perusal, exchange or registration of documents) that is consequential or ancillary to any such transaction.

The Department responsible for the licensing of conveyancers is: Office of Fair Trading

Licensing is administered by the: Property Services Licensing Unit. To obtain a licence an applicant must:

- Be over the age of 18 years
- Have completed one of the approved conveyancing courses or hold a law degree recognised in NSW
- Have gained one years practical training to be granted a restricted licence
- Have gained two years practical experience to be granted an unrestricted licence
- You must hold an unrestricted licence to conduct a conveyancing business
- All licence holders must be covered by an approved  policy of Professional Indemnity Insurance 
  (Operators of a conveyancing business will be covered by the policy held in the name of the  Australia Institute of Conveyancers NSW Division (AIC) with Vero Insurance. Contact the AIC on 9633 1355 for further information.  Licensees who are employed in a conveyancer's office will be covered by their employer’s policy. Licensees employed in a Solicitor’s office will be covered by the policy approved under the Legal Profession Act)
- An applicant must not be a disqualified person as detailed in the Conveyancers Licensing Act

Note: A person who holds a barrister’s or solicitor’s practising certificate or holds a licence or certificate of registration under the Property Stock and Business Agents Act is disqualified from holding a licence under the Conveyancers Licensing Act

BUSINESS NAMES must be approved by the Office of Fair Trading and cannot be so similar to a name already approved as to imply that the businesses are related or imply that the business is that of a legal practitioner.

Consent must be obtained from the Office of Fair Trading to enter into a multi-disciplinary partnership or to share receipts with an unlicensed person or entity

When applying for a licence allow approximately six weeks for approval, appreciating that certain checks will be made such as inquiries to the Police, the Law Society, Bar Society as well as bankruptcy/insolvency records to verify the applicant’s claims

Further information can be found on the following links together with application forms for a conveyancer's licence

Application form conveyancer's licence 'individual':  >>>  click here

Application form conveyancing licence 'corporation': >>> click here

Applications for a licence should include the following information:

- Evidence of age
- Evidence of Educational Qualification
- Evidence of experience
- Employer’s confirmation of the applicant’s experience

For further information contact the Office of Fair Trading 9619 8733 or you can contact the Australian Institute of Conveyancers NSW Division 9633 1355.