What qualifications do conveyancers need?

A conveyancer is a specialised lawyer that deals with the transfer of property titles during the property buying and selling process. Conveyancers are often also referred to as CPCs, which stands for Certified Practising Conveyancer.

In many cases, real estate agents refer clients to a particular conveyancer who works within the area they are purchasing their property, or works in conjunction with the real estate agent. If you are unsure how to locate a conveyancer at short notice, ask your real estate agent who they would recommend - they should be able to provide you with some contacts.

Your conveyancer is there to protect your interests, but before you sign up to have them oversee the most important purchase you are likely to make, it is useful to understand their qualifications in the first instance.

Who can become a conveyancer?

Conveyancing falls into the area of property law. In most States of Australia the Office of Fair Trading determines the licenses of conveyancers in their specific state, so if you are ever unsure about the legitimacy of your conveyancer then you could always ring your local Fair Trading office and do a quick cross check of their licensee records.

Conveyancers are usually people who have completed a law degree at university and have then gone on to complete the licensing requirements necessary to carry out conveyancing work - which includes the purchase and sales of properties and all that is involved with this process.

However, these days conveyancers may only have had to complete a vocational conveyancing certificate in order to practise conveyancing, and then carried out one year's practical conveyancing business. No matter how they came about their qualifications, the Fair Trading office in your State will be able to let you know whether the conveyancer you wish to appoint on your property transaction holds a relevant and current license.

If you are interested in becoming a conveyancer yourself, you can contact the Vocational Studies College headquarters in your State. To apply you must be over the age of 18 years. Some conveyancing qualification courses are available via correspondence or through paralegal studies.