How to be a real estate agent in Australia

Are you thinking about starting a career in real estate?

If you easily get along with other people and you are looking for a job that offers flexibility as well as potentially unlimited financial rewards, you may be cut out to be a real estate agent. 

Real estate agents are licensed professionals that assist clients who want to buy, sell, or rent a property. 

If you want to work as a real estate agent in Australia, you must meet specific requirements set by the licensing authorities in the state or territory that you want to practice in. 

Here is our guide on how to be a real estate agent in Australia. 

What does a real estate agent do?

Before we discuss the requirements to be a real estate agent in Australia, it’s important to understand what the job entails. 

As we’ve mentioned, the main role of a real estate agent is to help buyers or sellers with their real estate transactions. They work with clients to make the process as simple as possible.

Some of their tasks and responsibilities include: 

• Finding  and signing up clients
• Advising clients on pricing, marketing, financing and legal requirements
• Marketing and presenting  properties to potential buyers
• Negotiate and close deals including writing relevant marketing literature, reports, appraisals, contracts and terms
• Look for open property listings
• Schedule property showings and inspections

But any experienced real estate agent will tell you that the job is not as simple as it sounds. 

Not every deal is straightforward, and real estate agents need to have several skills and qualifications in their arsenal in order to succeed. 

Read our article on the pros and cons of being a real estate agent to help you decide if it’s the right job for you. 

How do I become a real estate agent in Australia? 

Being a real estate agent can be a full-time or a part-time job. In Australia, you will need a real estate license to be able to work as a real estate agent. 

Individuals who want to get a license will need to take a state license exam and fill out the appropriate application to become a real estate agent. Different states and territories have their own set of application and license requirements, so you must fulfill the criteria required in the area you want to practice in. 

Here is an overview of how you can get your real estate license in the following state and territories: 

QLD

To be a licensed real estate agent in Queensland, you’ll first need to assess your eligibility with Queensland’s Office of Fair Trading (OFT), which regulates the industry in the state. To view the full list of eligibility and sustainability requirements the office has in place, read here. 

As long as you’re 18, however, there aren’t too many other criteria.  If you’re 18 and haven’t recently been convicted of a serious offense,  you’ll likely have the green light to move on to enroll for training. 

If you’re eligible, you can begin your real estate training right away. You can choose to undertake the Property Services Training Package (CPP07), which is a nationally recognised training package that is the entry-level course for Queensland as a whole.

To qualify for a license, you’ll need to be assessed as competent in 19 specific units. The course can be completed at a registered training organisation, such as the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ).

Nowadays, most institutions offer students the choice between online or face-to-face delivery. Generally, you have up to six months to complete this course. 

When you’re ready to apply, download the application for an individual’s real estate agent license from the Queensland Government website. 

 The form must be lodged either by mail to the Office of Fair Trading (the address is on the application form) or in person at a Queensland Government Service Office.

Don’t forget, you’ll need formal identification and proof of your qualifications.

Generally, the process can take up to six weeks. However, due to an increase in new applications,  OFT offices now recommend an estimated waiting time of 10-12 weeks. 

NSW 

To get a real estate licence in New South Wales, you must first have the correct qualifications. This will allow you to apply to the government body regulator, Fair Trading NSW, which regulates the industry in the state. They dictate the entry requirements.

The first step is to become an Assistant Agent,  which allows you to be employed and act as a licensed estate agent. It also allows you to perform any of the legal functions of that licensed estate agent, given you have written authority.

Fair Trading NSW requires applicants to have completed five specified core units from CPP41419 Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice (real estate and stock and station agents). After completing the five units you can apply to become an assistant agent here.

Then, to apply for the full license in NSW, you must have at least 12 months of registered industry experience as an Assistant Agent and have completed the remaining 13 units of learning from the CPP41419 qualification.

 Other requirements include:

• Paying the relevant contribution to the Property Services Compensation Fund
• Completed the real estate agent license course, CPP40307 Certificate IV in Property Services
• Your principal place of work in NSW or within 50km of the NSW border

After completing the training and fulfilling the requirements, you can check out Service NSW to apply for your real estate agent license online. 

You will need some identification documents to submit your application, including your qualifications documents, proof of your professional indemnity insurance, and a driver's license.

VIC 

Consumer Affairs Victoria is in charge of real estate licencing in the state.

Newcomers in the real estate industry typically start with the Agents Representative course, which is the entry-level course for Melbourne, and Victoria as a whole. 

Becoming an agents’ representative allows you to be employed and act on behalf of a licensed estate agent. It also allows you to perform any of the legal functions of that licensed estate agent, given you have written authority.

Consumer Affairs Victoria requires completion of the 18 units CPP41419 – Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice to become an agent’s representative. 

Then, to become a fully licensed real estate agent, you will be required to complete the CPP51119 Diploma of Property (Agency Management). You need 12 units of competency for the award of the Diploma of Property (Agency Management). 

Before applying for a license, you are required to have: 

• Complete real estate agent course — Certificate IV in Property Services (CPP40307).
• At least 12 months of full-time experience in Victoria as an agent's representative.

You can complete the real-estate agent course at REIV (Real Estate Institute of Victoria) or look for other course providers.

Furthermore, you can apply for a real estate agent license online. To complete the application process, you will need to agree to a national criminal background, and other records check. Also, you have to submit a copy of your Victorian academic qualifications and even copies of your identification documents.

ACT 

In order to qualify as an entry-level real estate agent in the ACT you must be registered and hold a Registration Certificate, also referred to as a Salesperson Registration.

It involves passing five units of competency which are recognised by Access Canberra. When you have successfully completed these units and received your Statements of Attainment, you can apply with Access Canberra, for your Salesperson Registration.

You can visit Access Canberra for more information on the requirements and know which courses you need to take. 

 In the ACT there is also a Conditional Registration, this registration is valid for a maximum of twelve months and only while the person remains employed by the same agent and remains enrolled in the course. For more information on the Conditional Registration, read here. 

 When it comes to qualifications for a full license, you need to hold a Diploma of Property Services (CPP50307 - Agency Management).  This diploma is offered through the Real Estate Institute of the Australian Capital Territory (REIACT).

Additionally, to be eligible for a license, you must be 18 years old and above,  has 24 months of experience, and not be disqualified. You’ll also need a police certificate issued by the Australian Federal Police.

You can apply online at this link.

SA

In  South Australia, real estate agents are also known as land agents. Land agents must carry their registration card when acting in a professional capacity, and when someone requests to see the card it must be produced immediately.

To be a land agent, you will need to go through training, education and training before you can work with clients. First, you must complete a Diploma of Property Services (Agency Management - CPP50307).  To complete this course, you will require a total of 24 units, with the additional units dedicated to real estate business management. 

You can complete this course with reputable agencies such as REISA (Real Estate Institute of South Australia), TAFE, or the Real Estate Training College.  

Visit the South Australia Government website to know about how to become a real estate agent in South Australia and apply for your real estate agent license.

Along with the application, you will also have to meet financial probity requirements and submit the required documents, such as a national police certificate and identification and qualification documents.

Applying for your real estate agent license in South Australia is as easy as filling out an online application and attaching the required documents.

WA

If you want to work as a real estate agent in Western Australia, you need a current triennial certificate and a real estate licence.

 The triennial certificate is given at the time your license is granted and must be renewed every three years.

To be eligible to apply for a real estate license in Western Australia, you’ll need to show that you have sustainable financial resources to carry on the business as an agent.

This means undergoing a credit history check and completing a confidential statement of assets and liabilities.

You also need to have: 

• Completed the CPP50307 Diploma of Property Services (Agency Management)
• A minimum of two years of continuous full-time experience in the real estate industry immediately before applying for the real estate agent license

The application for a real estate license is available from the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s website. 

Once you complete the form and provide all your supporting documents (including an Australian police check, two references, a statement of experience and proof of your educational qualifications), it can be submitted by post or in person at the Department’s Cannington office (or regional offices).

The documents you need to submit usually include a statement of experience, an Australian police check, evidence of your educational qualifications, and two references.

TAS 

In order to be eligible for a real estate agent licence in Tasmania, you must meet the following requirements: 

• Have  two years of full-time experience as a property representative or property manager during the previous five years before your application
• Complete a Diploma of Property Services (Agency Management - CPP50307).
• Pay the relevant application fees
• Be considered suitable and fit to become a real estate agent.
• Be prepared to continue your education.

 You can study the real estate agent course via the REIT (Real Estate Institute of Tasmania) and other recognised educational institutions. 

The Property Agents Board of Tasmania regulates real estate licencing applications in the state.

When you apply, you need to provide a National Police Record Check from Tasmania Police, proof of your qualifications, details of your employment/experience/knowledge, and details about your professional indemnity insurance.

NT

It is required to announce your plan to apply for a real estate licence in the Northern Territory News before submitting an application.

After you notify, public members have 14 days to file an objection to your application.

Then, you must undergo a police and probity check and complete a  Diploma of Property (CPP50307 - Agency Management) to be eligible to apply for a real estate agent license. 

After completing the requirements, you can apply at the Northern Territory Government website. If you don’t like applying online, you can also apply through fax, email, mail, or in person.

You can get the application form at your local Territory Business Centre or download it from nt.gov.au.

Remember that real estate agent licenses in the NT are issued for one, three, or five years.

(Disclaimer: Please note that the information contained in this article was accurate as of publication date. Additionally, this post does not represent an endorsement of any of these courses or providers. We recommend checking with the local regulatory body in your state/territory for an up-to-date and complete list of requirements and eligibilities.)