Conveyancer Salary Guide: Pay Floors, Award Coverage and Median Earnings

What is a conveyancer salary in Australia?

When you search for a “conveyancer salary”, you are likely looking for the typical pay for someone who handles property transfers, company and business law, trusts, wills, probate and litigation. In Australia, the term covers two main roles under the ANZSCO classification: Conveyancers (599111) and Legal Executives (599112). The pay you can expect depends on whether you are a licensed conveyancer, a solicitor, or a clerical worker doing conveyancing tasks. Each group has a different legal minimum, and the average earnings can be quite different from the floor.

The legal minimum: award coverage and the national minimum wage

The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that award coverage for conveyancers depends on duties and qualifications. In the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland, only solicitors can do conveyancing work. In other states and territories, licensed conveyancers (called Settlement Agents in Western Australia) can also do the work.

• Licensed conveyancers employed by a law firm or a licensed conveyancing business are covered by the Legal Services Award. Their classification depends on duties, skills, qualifications and experience. The award sets minimum hourly and weekly rates that are higher than the national minimum wage. The exact rates are not published in this guide, but you can find them in the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database . From 1 July 2026, modern award minimum wages rose by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification cannot sit under the national minimum of $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week.
• Solicitors undertaking conveyancing work in a law firm are award‑free. They are entitled to the national minimum wage and the National Employment Standards. The national minimum from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week). Casual employees get a 25% loading, so $33.05 per hour.
• Clerical and administrative staff who do some conveyancing work may also be covered by the Legal Services Award, depending on their duties and qualifications.

Remember that an enterprise agreement can set a higher rate than the award or the national minimum. Always check your employment contract and any applicable agreement.

Survey average: median weekly earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides the most reliable snapshot of what conveyancers actually earn. In the Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2023), the median full‑time weekly earnings for Conveyancers and Legal Executives was $1,405 before tax. That is for non‑managerial adult employees working full‑time. The median hourly earnings were $38 per hour.

These figures are a guide only. They do not account for years of experience, location, or the type of employer. For example, the same ABS data shows that only 60% of conveyancers work full‑time, and the median age is 32 years. Women make up 84% of the workforce.

How the median compares to the minimum

The median of $1,405 per week is about 40% higher than the national minimum wage of $1,004.90. That gap reflects the specialised nature of conveyancing work and the fact that many conveyancers have several years of experience. However, entry‑level positions or those in smaller firms may pay closer to the award rate.

Superannuation: an extra 12% on top

All employers must pay the superannuation guarantee on top of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12%. So if your conveyancer salary is $1,405 per week, your employer must also contribute $168.60 to your super fund. The super is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional cost to the employer.

Putting it all together

When you research a conveyancer salary, separate these concepts:

• Legal minimum: The lowest amount you can be paid, set by the award (if covered) or the national minimum wage. For award‑free solicitors, that is $26.44 per hour. For licensed conveyancers under the Legal Services Award, the minimum is higher.
• Award rate: The specific classification rate in the Legal Services Award. These rates are updated each year after the Annual Wage Review.
• Survey average: The median of $1,405 per week from the ABS. This is what the typical full‑time conveyancer earns, but your actual pay may be higher or lower.
• Negotiated salary: Your individual contract or an enterprise agreement can set a rate above the minimum. Always compare any offer to the award or national minimum to ensure it is compliant.

For more detail on how pay floors work across different occupations, see our Which minimum wage applies guide and the Rate tables page.

Industries and locations

Conveyancers and legal executives work across several industries. According to the ABS Labour Force Survey (2024), the top industries include legal services, real estate, and finance. Geographically, New South Wales employs the largest share, followed by Victoria and Queensland. Western Australia accounts for 12.4% of the workforce.

A note on junior and apprentice rates

If you are under 21 and award‑free, the national minimum wage has junior percentages that are lower than the adult rate. For example, a 17‑year‑old award‑free employee gets $15.29 per hour. However, if you are an apprentice or trainee, different rates apply under the Miscellaneous Award. Award‑covered employees must follow the junior or apprentice rates in their specific award.

Final thoughts

The conveyancer salary in Australia is well above the national minimum for most full‑time workers, but the legal floor is not a single number. Always check your award coverage, and remember that super is paid on top. For the most current award rates, consult the Fair Work Commission’s database or the Fair Work Ombudsman’s resources.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.