As with any legal profession, knowing where to start and how to get onto the ladder can be quite confusing. Being a property conveyancer is a very popular choice of career but many people simply have the thought but then discount it quickly due to not understanding exactly how to go about it. Not only that but the technical terminology involved within the trade can be impenetrable for some and people can give up at the first hurdle. As with many career paths you need to build up an adequate understanding of what the different professions entail and how to successfully achieve the necessary requirements to attain your desired job.
Property conveyancers specifically deal with the buying and selling of real estate. In some cases, they can also be involved with the buying and selling of businesses. As with all legal professions there are certain prerequisites which are necessary to be legally entitled to work within the field. Failure to be officially endorsed as a qualified property conveyancer can lead to future ramifications which could cost you your job or worse. So what do you need to do and how do you complete it so that you can start your exciting path as a property conveyancer?
Qualifications
Before you will be entitled to even apply for a conveyancing licence in Australia you will need to have completed the appropriate course. You will not be eligible to attain your licence until this stage and you will not be able to work as a conveyancer until you have got your licence. You will obviously need to budget for the costs of your qualifications and factor in the time requirements. This could potentially mean working part time or doing multiple jobs to fit around the course’s schedule so make sure you have the finances to support yourself during your studying. An Advanced Diploma in Conveyancing is what you need to do and this qualification will also allow you access to careers in bank firms and other areas of property law. You will need to put aside around 18 months usually to complete this course and prices will vary depending on location and circumstances.
Obtain a Licence
Once you have finished your qualifications you will be one step closer to being eligible to apply for a conveyancing licence. You will need to be aged 18 or above and then will need to gain work experience with an appropriate firm before you will be allowed to receive a licence. You will need to check what the requirements are based on your location as some states will require a single year’s experience but others can demand at least two. You can receive a restricted licence during this period but certain career paths will require future qualifications or stipulations later down the line so be sure to explore these early.
Ongoing Professional Development
Many careers in property conveyancing, as with many in law professions, will need evidence of ongoing professional development to allow you to maintain your licence. You need to be aware of this as many people think that they simply have to study get the necessary qualifications and experience and all the hard work is done. The profession asks that you have annual reviews of your development and you will have to complete further in-house and external training throughout your career. The importance of keeping up with changes in laws alongside the legal ramifications of negligence mean that the job role is highly regulated and will continue to be all through your career. If you want any further details about the ongoing requirements in the profession, then it is highly advisable to speak with a professional firm directly who specialise in conveyancing such as Christopher Adams and Associates. Speaking with a firm in an area you wish to work will help to guide you and give you a more specific and informed appraisal of your needs.