What is the difference between a licensed conveyancer and a conveyancing lawyer?

A licensed conveyancer is someone that is granted a license by the State government to provide conveyancing service to residential property buyers and sellers. A licensed conveyancer can provide general advice to clients that are based on the contract of sale and from their experience of having conducted conveyancing matters. A licensed conveyancer is governed by consumer protection legislations and regulators of the various States, for example, the licensed conveyancer in Victoria is granted a license from the Consumer Affairs Victoria.

A lawyer is someone that is granted a practising certificate to practice law in any given State and is governed by the Legal Profession Act of their home jurisdiction. Once a lawyer is granted a practising certificate, he / she is entitled to practice law in any State beyond their home jurisdiction. A lawyer also has the requisite training and experience to provide legal advice beyond the terms and conditions of a standard contract of sale. Hence, a lawyer is more suited to protect your conveyancing needs than that of a licensed conveyancer. 

This doesn’t mean that the qualifications of a licensed conveyancer are any less compared to that of a lawyer of course, it just means that the scope of work of a lawyer is naturally broader. For most simple residential transactions a licensed conveyancer can generally complete a residential conveyancing transaction, however if a matter becomes complicated a licensed conveyancer will be required to refer you to a conveyancing lawyer to complete your transaction. If you are looking to conduct your conveyancing in multiple States, it would always be more suited that you engaged a conveyancing lawyer that is able to practice in many States at once. Your should also carefully consider using the services of a conveyancing lawyer for your conveyance if the quotes for the same work are comparable as the conveyancing lawyer can provide you with legal advice as it is needed and you will reduce your costs should your transaction become complicated.