Conveyancer Salary Guide: Hourly Rates, Annual Pay, and Award Coverage
A licensed conveyancer under the Legal Services Award earns at least $32.67 per hour (Level 4) or $33.99 per hour (Level 5) as of 1 July 2026, based on a 38-hour week.
Understanding a Conveyancer Salary
If you are a conveyancer or considering a career in conveyancing, knowing how your conveyancer salary translates to annual pay is essential. The Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission set minimum rates under the Legal Services Award 2020. This guide explains the hourly-to-annual conversion, the fortnight, tax, and super, using the 38-hour week assumption.
Award Coverage for Conveyancers
Award coverage depends on your duties and qualifications. According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, licensed conveyancers employed by a law firm or licensed conveyancing business are covered by the Legal Services Award. Their classification is based on duties, skills, and experience. In Western Australia, they are known as Settlement Agents. Solicitors doing conveyancing work are award-free and must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage.
Minimum Rates Under the Legal Services Award
From 1 July 2026, the award minimum hourly rates for legal clerical and administrative employees are:
- Level 1: $28.24/hour
- Level 2: $29.45/hour
- Level 3: $31.11/hour
- Level 4: $32.67/hour
- Level 5: $33.99/hour
A typical licensed conveyancer is often classified at Level 4 or Level 5. These rates are for full-time and part-time employees. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate. For example, a casual Level 4 conveyancer earns $40.84 per hour ($32.67 × 1.25).
Converting Hourly Rate to Annual Pay
The formula is straightforward: hourly rate × hours per week × 52. We assume 38 ordinary hours per week, the standard for full-time employees under the award. The fortnight is simply weekly pay × 2. For a Level 4 conveyancer:
- Weekly: $32.67 × 38 = $1,241.46
- Fortnightly: $2,492.92
- Annual: $32.67 × 38 × 52 = $64,555.92
This is the ordinary-time earnings before tax and super. The hourly conversion up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base. The super and packaging page explains more.
Tax on a Conveyancer Salary
Using the 2026–27 resident tax scale:
- Nil tax on first $18,200
- 15% on $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% above $190,000
Plus Medicare levy of 2% (single reduction thresholds from 2025–26). For a $64,555.92 annual salary, tax is approximately $11,167 (including Medicare). Use the take-home pay calculator for a detailed estimate.
Average Earnings Comparison
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, full-time adult ordinary time earnings in May 2026 were $2,083.70 per week. A Level 4 conveyancer at $1,241.46 per week is below that average. However, many conveyancers work in law firms where rates may be higher than the award minimum.
Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting
Most award employees are paid fortnightly. For a Level 4 conveyancer, fortnightly gross pay is $2,492.92. After tax and Medicare, take-home is around $2,100. This helps with budgeting and comparing job offers.
Key Takeaways
- Use the reference tables for award rates and tax brackets.
- Always check your classification under the Legal Services Award.
- Casual loading is 25% on top of the base rate, not included in the base rate.
- Super is paid on top of ordinary earnings.
- The formula annual ≈ hourly × 38 × 52 is a standard estimate.
For more details, see the pay guides and minimum wage pages.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.