Hannelie Basson obtained a BLC degree in 1985 and a LLB degree in 1987 at the University of Pretoria. She completed the Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning at the Faculty of Law, University of Free State in 2016 and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

Hannelie was admitted as an attorney in the High Court Pretoria in February 1990 and has practiced as an attorney since her admission. Hannelie has a proficient knowledge of general and specialised conveyancing, preparing commercial agreements and wills and trusts.