A new course at New South Wales’ Southern Cross University (SCU) offers a fast-tracked pathway to a job as a property conveyancer, with enrolments now open for the start of 2024.
The Diploma of Conveyancing (Law and Practice) was officially accredited in New South Wales late last year. There are no pre-requisites to undertaking the course and graduates will be job-ready in less than a year.
SCU Dean of Law Associate Professor David Heilpern said the fully accredited one-year course had been structured to address key barriers to entry to the profession.
“We intentionally designed this course to level the playing field. Other offerings require up-front payment or take longer to complete, including subjects that are not particularly relevant to conveyancing,” Associate Professor Heilpern says.
“We intentionally designed this course to level the playing field. Eligible students will be able to access Commonwealth-supported places or defer their contribution through HECS-HELP. You can be ready for work in less than a year and carry credits for units which are recognised in our Bachelor of Laws.”
Conveyancers provide core service within property sector
Associate Professor Heilpern said conveyancers played an important role in the transfer of property from buyers to sellers, advising on legal issues throughout the process.
He said many people in the system – especially women – were employed as unqualified assistants, effectively working to support the transfer process, but in lesser-paid positions.
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For students who choose to use the year-long study as part of a bigger degree, successful completion of the Diploma will enable admission to law offerings at Associate Degree and Degree level at Southern Cross University, depending on GPA.
“This program will enable those people to gain formal qualifications, become a licenced conveyancer, and earn advanced standing should they wish to pursue further studies,” Associate Professor Heilpern says.
“There is a shortage of conveyancers in regional and rural New South Wales. The field is ripe with opportunity and this program will increase the supply of professionals, many of whom will be drawn from regional and rural areas.”
