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Compulsory continuing professional development for the real estate industry was a 2020 election promise of the Labor government.
The state’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D’Ath, introduced the bill to amend the Property Occupations Act 2014 on Thursday, 21 March, as the first step to mandate that property agents must complete continuing professional development (CPD).
Once passed, real estate agents, real estate salespeople, property auctioneers and resident letting agents will be required to complete two CPD sessions each year, with a level of flexibility in choosing the sessions they undertake to ensure CPD best suits their business needs.
Failure to complete the mandatory education may prevent real estate professionals from from successfully renewing their licence or registration.
An advisory panel will be established that will include industry and community stakeholders to to advise on relevant and acceptable content for training.
The government suggested that sessions may include topics like the proper management of trust accounts, or training on how to assist renters experiencing domestic and family violence.
D’Ath said that the change would help maintain professional standards across the industry and bring more protections for Queenslanders during transactions related to property.
“Buying or selling a home is a significant transaction for so many Queenslanders, and they invest their trust in real estate agents during this time,” D’Ath said.
She noted that many industry professionals already undertake training, but this would ensure blanket coverage of the industry.
She also thanked the “many property agents, peak bodies and consumer representatives that shared their views during consultation in 2022 and 2023”.
The government worked closely with the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) on the change, which had long advocated for compulsory ongoing training.
The REIQ are big believers in the critical importance of ongoing education to ensure professionals keep up with complex and ever-changing legislation and lift the professional standards,” said REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella.
“When you consider the significant responsibilities bestowed on real estate professionals, including selling what’s often someone’s most valuable asset and managing trust accounts, it’s crucial that ongoing training requirements are imposed for consumer protection,” she added.
Mercorella called the introduction of the bill “momentous” and congratulated the Miles government on delivering on this commitment.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Juliet Helmke
Based in Sydney, Juliet Helmke has a broad range of reporting and editorial experience across the areas of business, technology, entertainment and the arts. She was formerly Senior Editor at The New York Observer.
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