How to get a real estate license anywhere in Australia
Are you thinking about getting your real estate license?
Whether you’ve been in the industry for a long time or are looking for a fresh start, a real estate agent license can help you take your career to the next level. It’s the difference between selling real estate on behalf of a broker or opening your own agency and being in control of your destiny.
So where do you start? Right here.
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Find out what’s required in your area
To save you time, we’ve pulled together the requirements for every territory in Australia, including links to online applications. Click on your territory to go directly to that section.
If you’ve been dreaming of a career in real estate, make a start now.
How to get your real estate agent license in Australia
You’ll need to have specific qualifications, experience and be a suitable person of good character to hold a license. The step-by-step guide on how to become a real estate agent includes:
- Learn your state’s age and educational requirements
- Find an approved real estate school or certification course
- Gain at least a year’s worth of full-time work experience in the real estate industry.
- Obtain the necessary insurance(s) for your state
- Apply for your real estate agent license
- Complete the necessary paperwork
- Find work as a real estate agent
The requirements to get your real estate license in Australia vary across states and territories. Let’s explore each state and territory in more depth.
New South Wales requirements
In NSW, you’ll need to meet specific eligibility criteria, including being fit and proper to hold a license. You must have:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have paid the relevant contribution to the Property Services Compensation Fund
- Have completed the real estate agent license course, CPP40307 Certificate IV in Property Services
- Base your principal place of work in NSW or within 50km of the NSW border
The good news is, you can complete the course online or on-campus and choose either full-time or part-time. Check out these institutions for more information:
How to apply for a New South Wales real estate license
For the New South Wales real estate license, you first need to complete the NSW Fair Trading agency’s educational requirements. Apply online and upload the necessary documents, including the evidence of work experience logbook and your two forms of identification.
Acceptable forms of identification include your driver’s license or Australian passport. Additionally, you’ll need evidence of your professional indemnity insurance and qualifications.
Apply for a NSW real estate license
Queensland requirements
Like NSW, there are eligibility criteria and training requirements to apply for your real estate license in Queensland.
The Property Services Training Package (CPP07) is nationally endorsed and includes units like these:
- Manage small business finances
- Appraise property
- Identify legal and ethical requirements of property management to complete agency work
- Interpret legislation to complete work in the property industry
- Market property for sale
To qualify for a license, you’ll need to be assessed as competent in 19 specific units. The course can be completed at institutions like REIQ or Property Training Australia.
How to apply for a Queensland real estate license
For the Queensland real estate license, you need to be assessed as competent in 19 specific units as part of the CPP41419 – Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice. Apply through the Queensland Government website and lodge your documents.
The course can be completed at institutions like REIQ or Property Training Australia.
When you’re ready to apply, download the application for an individual’s real estate agent license from the Queensland Government website (available via Costs link, below). (Here you’ll also find a more detailed list of the suitability requirements.) 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.
Apply for a QLD real estate license
South Australia requirements
In South Australia, real estate agents who want to run an agency are also referred to as Land Agents.
The minimum qualification for getting a real estate license in South Australia is the completion of CPP50307 Diploma of Property Services (Agency Management). You’ll need a total of 24 units, with the extra units focused on managing your real estate business. For example:
- Developing a strategic business plan
- Managing people performance
- Marketing your agency
- Managing budgets and financial plans
How to apply for a South Australia real estate license
For the South Australia real estate license, you need to complete the CPP50307 Diploma of Property Services (Agency Management) with a total of 24 units.
Once completed, you can apply for your license by lodging your application to the South Australia Consumer and Business Services.
You can take these courses through the Real Estate Training Academy.
Or contact the Real Estate Institute of South Australia for more information.
As in most other states, you’ll need a national police certificate and must meet financial probity requirements.
Applying for your real estate agent license in South Australia is as easy as filling out an online application (available via link, below) and attaching the required documents.
Apply for an SA real estate license
Tasmania requirements
The Tasmanian eligibility requirements for a real estate agent license state that you must:
- Hold a CPP50307 Diploma of Property Services (Agency Management)
- Have had two years full-time experience as a property manager or property representative during the previous five years before your application
- Be considered to be a fit and proper person
- Pay the relevant application fees
- Be prepared to undergo continuing education
You can complete the course through the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania.
How to apply for a Tasmania real estate license
For the Tasmania real estate license, you need to complete the CPP50307 Diploma of Property Services (Agency Management).
Next, you’ll need to lodge your application through the Property Agents Board of Tasmania. Submit your National Police Record Check from Tasmania Police and details of your knowledge/experience/employment.
The real estate license applications are managed by the Property Agents Board of Tasmania. When you lodge your application, you’ll also supply evidence of your qualifications and details of your professional indemnity insurance.
Costs for a TAS real estate license
Victoria requirements
Real estate licenses in Victoria are handled by Consumer Affairs Victoria. In terms of eligibility requirements, you must have:
- At least 12 months full-time experience as an agent’s representative in Victoria at any time during the last three years immediately before applying for a license
- Completed CPP40307 Certificate IV in Property Services (Real Estate)
How to apply for a Victoria real estate license
For the Victoria real estate license, you must complete the CPP41419 Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice and CPP51119 Diploma of Property Agency Management (as of October 21, 2020). Apply through the myCAV system with the Victorian Government’s Consumer Affairs Department with the relevant documents.
Note that agents who completed the previous requirement (CPP40307 Certificate IV in Property Services Real Estate) are exempt from having to complete this new course.
You can complete the course through the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) or other providers like Box Hill Institute.
To apply for your real estate agent license online (available via link, below), you’ll need to consent to a national criminal history and other records check, supply certified copies of your identification documents and a copy of your Victorian academic qualifications.
Apply for a VIC real estate license
Western Australia requirements
If you’re in Western Australia and you’re looking to operate as a real estate agent, you’ll need a real estate license and a current triennial certificate.
The triennial certificate is given at the time your license is granted and 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 sufficient 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.
Also, you must have:
- Completed the CPP50307 Diploma of Property Services (Agency Management)
- At least two years of continuous full-time experience in the real estate industry immediately before applying for the real estate agent license
How to apply for a Western Australia real estate license
For the Western Australia real estate license, you need to complete the Diploma of Property Services (Agency Management) CPP50307 or the Diploma of Property (Agency Management) CPP51119.
Lodge your application through the post or in person to the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
The application for a real estate license is available from the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. Once you complete the form and provide all your supporting documents (including an Australian police check, two references, a statement of experience and evidence of your educational qualifications), it can be lodged by post or in person at the Department’s Cannington office (or regional offices).
Costs of a WA real estate license
Northern Territory requirements
Before you apply for a real estate license in the Northern Territory, you must advertise your intention to apply in the Northern Territory News. Members of the public have 14 days from the date of the notice to lodge an objection against your application.
To be qualified as a real estate agent in the Northern Territory, you must complete CPP50307 Diploma of Property (Agency Management) and undergo a police and probity check.
You can apply at Licensing NT Online. If you’re not a fan of online applications, you can also apply by:
- Fax
- In person
How to apply for a Northern Territory real estate license
For the Northern Territory real estate license, you need to earn the CPP50307 Diploma of Property (Agency Management.)
Submit your application, along with your documents, to the Northern Territory Government. Your application can be submitted by mail, email, fax, or in person.
Download the application form from nt.gov.au or grab a form at your nearest Territory Business Centre.
Costs of a NT real estate license
Australian Capital Territory requirements
Last but not least, we’ve arrived at the ACT. Here you’ll also need to notify the public of your application for a real estate agents’ license.
To be eligible for a license, you must have the required qualifications, experience (24 months) and not be disqualified. You’ll also need a police certificate issued by the Australian Federal Police.
What are the qualifications? Well you won’t be surprised to find that you’ll need to hold CPP50307 Diploma of Property Services (Agency Management). This diploma is offered through the Real Estate Institute of the Australian Capital Territory.
How to apply for an ACT real estate license
For the Australian Capital Territory real estate license, you must obtain the CPP50307 Diploma of Property Services (Agency Management).
Within 10 business days, lodge your documents and application in the post or submit them online through the ACT Government website.
Apply for an ACT real estate license
Do you have to have a real estate license?
You don’t need a real estate license if you’re selling or buying your own property. However, you need to have a real estate license if you:
- Work as an individual seller
- Own a real estate business
- Work for an agency
Real estate agent vs. real estate broker
A real estate agent is a licensed professional who works for a firm or broker. They help customers buy, sell or rent real estate.
A real estate broker is a real estate agent who has undergone additional training or licensing. This allows them to hire external real estate agents to work for their brokerage.
Additionally, real estate agents work for a real estate brokerage, and cannot work alone.
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Go get your real estate agent license
A real estate license will let you open your own agency and be in control of your career. Be sure to thoroughly investigate the eligibility, qualification and experience requirements that you’ll need to be granted a real estate license in your state or territory.
If you have questions, contact the Real Estate Institute in your state or territory to get the right advice.
Quentin Aisbett contributed to this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest considerations to becoming a real estate agent?
Real estate is an attractive career for many people, but it is clearly not for everyone.
One of the biggest considerations, cited by many agents is the fact that you need to be self-motivated.
RealEstateBees notes that, ‘As a real estate salesperson, you are operating a business within a business, even if you are working for the biggest office in town.’ So you need to be active in finding your own listings.
Can you be a part time real estate agent?
There’s nothing stopping you from being a part-time agent but note that it may make securing a position more difficult.
As you can imagine, your success will depend on what it is you’re balancing your part-time role with and how well you can manage your time.
What is the highest-paying job in real estate?
As a real estate sales agent you can expect to earn commission on your sales, so much of your income earning potential will come down to the size of the sales you make. It also depends on your sales volume, which of course comes down to:
- The agency you join
- The local market
- Your performance
If you are looking at your career development in a broader sense, then you may consider becoming a Home Inspector. Job marketplace Indeed reports the average salary for a home inspector as $165k.
What is the average salary for a real estate agent in Australia?
The average base salary reported, from job marketplaces Talent and Indeed, ranges from $60k to $70k per year.
Is real estate a good career move for the future?
The National Skills Commission predicts that the number of real estate sales agents will grow strongly through to November 2026 with a 9.5% growth.
What is the profile of an average real estate agent?
ABS Census data highlights despite a large share of real estate agents being aged 25 to 34 years old, the median age is in fact 44 years old. The industry is not as male-oriented as some may think, with ABS numbers showing that females make up 50% of the workforce.
This post does not represent an endorsement of any of the courses or providers mentioned here. Information was accurate as of publication date.
UPDATE: This article on real estate licensing was first published on 12 February 2020 and updated 9 September 2022.