The top 5 challenges facing conveyancers right now (and how to tackle them)

Conveyancing has never been a “simple” profession, but there’s no doubt it’s become significantly more complex over time.  Today’s conveyancers are balancing rising consumer expectations, increasing regulatory obligations, tighter settlement timelines, cyber risk, staffing pressures, and the mental load that comes with being responsible for one of the biggest financial transactions in a person’s life.

So what are the biggest challenges conveyancers are facing right now? And, perhaps more importantly, how can they be tackled in a way that’s sustainable for both people and businesses?

1. Consumers now expect real-time visibility, not just a finished settlement

Not that long ago, conveyancing was largely a behind-the-scenes service. Clients engaged their conveyancer and then largely, trusted the process, waited for updates, and were comfortable hearing from their conveyancer when something needed attention.

That’s changed.

Today’s buyers and sellers expect to be fully informed at every stage of the journey, in real time. Just like when they order shoes online or can track their shareholdings day-to-day, they want updates, progress tracking, document access, and reassurance that nothing is being missed. Often, being unable to ‘see’ what’s happening, is a huge contributor to stress and frustration.

The role of the conveyancer has shifted from a simple transfer of ownership to a highly communicative, client-facing service that requires constant touchpoints and proactive engagement.

The challenge is delivering this level of transparency without it turning into endless emails, phone calls, and manual updates that eat into the day and make it impossible to get much else done.

How to tackle it:

Centralised systems and tools that give all parties visibility into the settlement process reduce the need for constant check-ins, while still meeting modern expectations for communication and transparency.

With tools like Realtime’s Pathway to Settlement app, updates are automatically pushed to buyers, sellers, real estate agents and finance brokers as the conveyancer progresses through the matter workflow. As tasks are ticked off in Realtime, the app updates in real time, meaning no double-handling, no separate systems to manage, and no need to remember to manually send updates just to keep everyone in the loop.

2. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day anymore

Conveyancers today are carrying far more responsibility than they were even 10 or 20 years ago.  In addition to managing contracts, settlements, and client communication, conveyancers now navigate a growing list of regulatory and compliance obligations, including:

• Verification of Identity (VOI), and soon to be AML/CTF Customer Due Diligence
• Residual Current Device (RCD) and smoke alarm compliance
• ATO Clearance Certificates
• GST withholding requirements
• Foreign Buyer Transfer Duty / Foreign Ownership Surcharge
• PEXA
• Increased record-keeping, audit, and reporting expectations

These requirements apply in varying capacities for conveyancers across WA, SA and NT, adding layers of work to every matter (often without extending timelines or increasing fees).

The result? Conveyancers tell us this has caused them to work longer days, under increased pressure, and many can’t shake the feeling that no matter how hard they work, there’s always more to do.

How to tackle it:

This is where working smarter and implementing the right tech stack really matters. When the same information is being entered multiple times, or compliance is managed outside your core workflow, it quietly (and very quickly) eats away at the day.

Bringing those processes together helps reduce duplication, cut down rework, and free up time without lowering standards. The work is still done properly, it just happens in a more streamlined way, leaving you with fewer late nights and a lot less mental clutter.

3. Many consumers still don’t fully understand what conveyancers actually do

Despite the growing complexity of the role, many conveyancers tell us that they feel their clients still see conveyancing as “just paperwork” or a transactional necessity at the end of a sale.  This lack of understanding often leads to:

• Unrealistic turnaround expectations
• Fee sensitivity without appreciation of risk
• Pressure to resolve issues created elsewhere in the transaction
• Frustration when processes take time

In reality, conveyancers are managing legal risk, compliance, coordination between multiple stakeholders, and tight deadlines.  And often even quietly fixing problems before clients even know they exist.

How to tackle it:

When clients are kept in the loop and can clearly see what’s happening behind the scenes, it changes the dynamic of the relationship. Instead of wondering what they’re paying for, they start to understand the scope, complexity and responsibility involved in the work conveyancers do.

Visibility throughout the process helps set realistic expectations, builds trust, and leads to more confident, informed clients.  Perhaps a longer-term cultural shift, but it is certainly something that all conveyancers and industry partners can work towards to educate consumers in the important role of a conveyancer.

4. Finding (and keeping) qualified, engaged staff

The conveyancing industry is facing a very real talent challenge.  It’s an ageing profession, and attracting new entrants isn’t easy. At the same time, experienced conveyancers are stretched thin, junior staff require extensive training, and burnout remains a genuine risk.

Long hours, high stress, and manual processes make it harder to retain good people.  In particular, when flexibility and work/life balance are now non-negotiables for many professionals.  When staff are overwhelmed, mistakes are more likely and morale drops - increasing turnover.  It’s a vicious cycle that then creates even more pressure for those who remain.

How to tackle it:

Prioritise implementing modern systems that reduce your team’s admin burden and support flexible work arrangements.  Consistent workflows make roles more sustainable, and make training new staff easier and reduce risk. Ultimately, when your team feels supported by their tools, they’re far more likely to stay engaged and committed long-term.

5. Increased risk, accountability, and cyber exposure

With electronic conveyancing, digital payments, and sensitive client data now central to every transaction, conveyancers carry more risk than ever before.  Cyber security threats, payment redirection scams, audit requirements, and data protection obligations are no longer “IT issues”.  Conveyancing businesses have quickly had to pivot to give these business-critical responsibilities priority.

Managing these risks manually increases pressure and leaves more room for error, particularly in busy practices juggling high volumes.  Not to mention, conveyancers aren’t IT experts, nor should they be expected to be, and so often, these tasks are outsourced to experienced providers at a cost to the business.

How to tackle it:

Leveraging purpose-built conveyancing platforms such as Realtime Conveyancer, with strong security controls, clear audit trails, and Australian-based data storage play a critical role in managing this risk. They help safeguard sensitive client information, track exactly who has accessed or changed data, and reduce reliance on unsecured emails or workarounds.

For conveyancers, this means greater confidence that risk is being actively managed in the background (not left to chance or memory).  And for your clients greater certainty that their transaction is protected in our increasingly digital world.

Looking ahead: working smarter, not harder

None of these challenges are going away. If anything, they’ll continue to evolve as technology, regulation, and consumer expectations shift.  The key to navigating them most definitely isn’t longer hours or working harder.  We need to look at how we can work smarter.  By embracing tools and processes that support efficiency, accuracy, and visibility, conveyancers can:

• Reduce stress, errors and rework
• Deliver better client experiences
• Create healthier, more sustainable workplaces
• Protect their businesses from unnecessary risk

And perhaps most importantly? They can reclaim time and energy (and fall back in love with conveyancing).

Want to see how Realtime helps tackle these challenges?

Realtime is built by conveyancers, for conveyancers.  Our workflows, compliance tools, and integrations have been purposely designed to support the realities of modern conveyancing.  In fact, our users tell us that they’re 50% faster and 100% happier in their jobs using Realtime.

So, if you’re ready to work smarter, not harder, book a free demo with our team and see what efficiency really looks like in practice.