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Australia’s leading real estate body has slammed the inclusion of real estate agents in a government-led occupational mobility project, which would enable them to work across multiple states and/or territories.
The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) has flagged that consultation has now opened on a proposal for “Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR)” — a project designed to provide occupational mobility.
It’s calling on the federal government to remove references to real estate professionals from the proposal, stating that the main objective of the mobility project is instead intended for tradespeople.
According to REIA president Adrian Kelly, “while it makes sense for a plumber to be able to change a tap washer across states as the process is the same, it is not so with property transactions where different legislation and multiple regulators exist in different states”.
He argues training, qualification and consumer protection standards will not be consistent if agents are included in the Automatic Mutual Recognition.
“The other obvious difference between a plumber and an estate agent is the vast quantum of funds involved, which is, more often than not, a family’s life savings,” Mr Kelly said.
The president cited concerns that customers could be left “critically exposed” by any “taken to be registered” agent operating across states, before adding that reforms in the real estate space “must holistically provide greater customer assurance to Australia’s property tenants, investors, buyers and owners”.
Instead, he’s re-highlighted a “longstanding objective” of the real estate industry — to implement legislation that could benefit all real estate stakeholders, as well as state and territory governments, as well as “enhancing the reputation of property professionals and our collective customer assurance offering”.
Mr Kelly acknowledged that licensing, training and on-the-job conduct and ongoing professional development vary between states and territories.
He said any automatic deemed recognition should honour national training reforms that require a Diploma of Property Services for a business owner and a full Certificate IV for associates or equivalents.
“Ideally, agents would also have to have to prove their knowledge of local consumer protection laws and be subject to continued professional development,” the president continued.
Considering it disappointing that the federal government would continue a process of deregulation without taking consumer standards into account, Mr Kelly said the REIA “would like to see an industry-government ‘case for change’ identified that outlines the benefits of an AMR framework for real estate customers, agencies and governments”.
“This business case should harmonise nationally any aspects of training and qualifications as well as consumer affairs credentials,” Mr Kelly stated.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Grace Ormsby
Grace is a journalist across Momentum property and investment brands. Grace joined Momentum Media in 2018, bringing with her a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) from the University of Newcastle. She’s passionate about delivering easy to digest information and content relevant to her key audiences and stakeholders.
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