The buying and selling of property has been around for a long time, and there will always be work for good real estate agents. So if you’ve been thinking of a career change, one where you can meet new people, set achievable goals and work in just about any town in Australia, then maybe this is the year you look into how to become a real estate agent.
Can you tell me what’s involved?
The most successful real estate agents share a few common traits. They typically:
Enjoy meeting new people
Look in any agency’s window and you’ll see properties for sale. And these are often just a fraction of what’s on the agency’s books. Each listing represents a person or family selling their home. But more than that, each home may have several enquiries.
That’s a lot of handshaking.
Are fast on their feet
A tough part of being an agent can be the negotiations between the buyer and the seller. The seller wants the best price they can get, whereas the buyer wants to pay the least possible. You need to anticipate and react diplomatically when required.
Have discipline
A real estate agent’s job looks easy on the surface. Show people through a home, take offers, select the highest one and the sale is done. But there’s far more to it.
You’ll need to be free when sellers and buyers are. That can mean after-hours and weekend work.
You also need to:
- Chase new business
- Write and arrange advertising material
- Consult with legal professionals
- Direct photo shoots
- Arrange private inspections when buyers can’t make the public inspections
- Negotiate deals between buyers and sellers
- Take phone calls multiple times per day
Still interested? Read on to learn how to start your new career in real estate.
I’m up for it. How do I become a real estate agent?
The exact requirements for becoming a real estate agent in Australia vary in each state or territory. But here are the basic steps, with the exception of NSW (more on this below):
- First, check your eligibility.
- Complete real estate courses.
- Start working.
The steps to becoming a real estate agent are similar throughout Australia, except for NSW. New industry reforms for NSW start on the 23rd March 2020 and will affect new real estate agents as well as existing agents. Jump to how to become a real estate agent in NSW.
1. First, check your eligibility
There are restrictions on who may receive a real estate licence, so check with your state or territory government to see if they apply to you.
Some examples of restrictions are:
- Under the age of 18 years
- Convicted of a crime involving fraud, dishonesty, drug trafficking or violence in the last five to 10 years
- Are an insolvent under administration (e.g. bankrupt or have debt agreements in place)
You can find links to all requirements for each state and territory in Australia here.
2. Complete real estate courses
The units of competency vary across Australia, but your local training providers will make sure you take the units required for your location.
The best way to find your course is to visit this site and follow these steps:
- Enter real estate in the Keyword field.
- Add your state or territory in the Location field and click Search.
- Choose a provider that’s convenient for you.
- Scroll down to their contact details and click on their website.
Some providers will offer the CPP41419 Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice, while others will still be offering the CPP40307 Certificate IV in Property Services (Real Estate) course. Both are nationally recognised until CPP41419 officially supersedes CPP40307 on the 30th September 2021.
To be licensed in NSW, look for a provider that offers the CPP41419 Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice course.
Once you finish the coursework and pass the assessments, you can apply for your licence.
Note: Some states and territories require you to work in the field for one totwo years under a fully licensed real estate agent before you can apply foryour full real estate agent licence
3. Start working
Congratulations! Now to find somewhere to work. You need to gain experience, and the way to do that is to get a job working for a real estate agency.
Thankfully, the websites of some of the biggest Australian real estate firms
have links to their careers pages. Some even offer the training courses you
need to get started or continue your training
Of course, you can also check out local agencies near you. Be sure to meet in person with any agency you’re considering as this is a big commitment with a potentially long-term impact.
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How to become a real estate agent and get your real estate
licence in NSW
To become a real estate agent in NSW, you first need to complete the
Assistant Agent course. You can start here with the Real Estate Institute of
NSW or find your own provider.
There are five units in this course that must be completed before you can
apply for your Assistant Agent certification from Fair Trading NSW.
To get started, you need to:
- Sign up with a course provider for Assistant Agent Course. Complete
the units of competency and the assessments. - Apply for your Assistant Agent certificate via the Service NSW
website here, attaching your identification, evidence of qualifications
and any other relevant documents. - Start looking for brokers or agencies to gain your 12 months'
experience for the next step: the Class 2 Real Estate Agent licence.
How do I become a real estate agent in WA?
Western Australia allows choice of the real estate agent you want to be.
You can choose from the following types:
• Property sales (restricted)
• Property management (restricted)
• Both Property management and sales (unrestricted)
If you choose Property Sales (restricted) you are limited to the sale of
properties. Likewise, if you choose Property Management (restricted),
you are limited to property management. But choose property
management and sales (unrestricted) and you have the best of both
worlds.
You aren't locked into the restricted types. You can
switch if you do the relevant course.
Registration with WA's Department of Energy, Mines, Industry
Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) is a requirement at the completion of
your course before you can start working as a real estate agent. Once
you're registered, you must work under the supervision of a licensed real
estate and business agent.
You can find out more information about the courses and their modules
on the DMIRS website with the Real Estate Institute of Western
Australia being a course provider, as well as others.
What to expect in the first year
The first year can be tough as you build a network of clients, learn to work the phones and juggle your workload. Most new agents struggle, but stick it out to see the rewards. And the juggling? It’ll become second nature.
Choosing to become a real estate agent is a major decision. It’s not an easy job; there’s a lot of work in making sales targets and a good name for yourself. But if you’re a person who loves meeting new people, building relationships and giving advice, then it may be the best career choice you ever make.
So, don’t hold back. Book your course, pass the assessments, get your certificate and claim your piece of the real estate landscape.
This post does not represent an endorsement of any of these courses or agencies. Information was accurate as of publication date.
I have questions
We knew you would! Here’s a list of frequently asked ones:
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Australia?
There’s no national licence for a real estate agent, as each state and territory has its own licensing scheme. However, on average it can take from one to four months, which includes study and applying for your certification from the relevant state government.
Most courses are online and self-paced, so ultimately how long it takes is up to you.
Is a real estate agent a good job in Australia?
Like all jobs, selling real estate can have its ups and downs. It can be hard work making up to 100 calls per day and working weekends. But real estate agents say it’s rewarding to meet new people and help them find their new homes.
How much do real estate agents earn in Australia?
seek.com.au lists the average annual salary of a real estate agent as between $60,000 - $80,000, whereas au.indeed.com lists the base salary at $84,864. However, commissions on sales can increase the earnings of real estate agents.
How much do real estate agents make in Perth?
au.indeed.com lists the average base salary in Western Australia as $91,043. This is based on two reported salaries.
What qualifications do you need to be a real estate agent In Australia?
You’ll need to have completed the relevant course in real estate for your state or territory. But before you do that, make sure there’s nothing that could disqualify you from obtaining your government certificate. It would be disheartening to finish your studies only for your certificate to be denied. See the eligibility rules here.
How do I become a real estate agent?
First, you’ll need to complete the relevant course for your state or territory. Then, register with your state government to get your certificate to work.
You’ll need to work under a licensed real estate agent for a period (it can vary depending on your location) while you study to become a fully licensed real estate professional.
What happens at an open house?
The real estate agent will arrive early and:
- Turn on lights
- Check that the property is presentable
- Check for any hazards (no one wants to trip over a rake or hose)
- Set themselves up to welcome potential buyers
The agent will ask each person who enters to log their details — for follow-ups and to report interest back to the seller. Attendees are then welcome to explore the property at their own pace.
As they leave, the agent may ask what they liked about the property, what they didn’t like, and their general interest. At the completion of the open house, the agent turns off the lights and locks the property.
A report is prepared for the seller regarding numbers, interest and feedback.
What does a property manager do in real estate?
A property manager oversees the rental side of real estate on behalf of the property owner. Tasks include listing properties for rent, performing inspections, arranging rental payments, and coordinating repairs and maintenance requests.
They can manage either residential or commercial properties.
What does the Real Estate Institute of Australia do?
Formed in 1924, the Real Estate Institute of Australia represents Australia’s real estate professionals on important issues that affect Australia’s property market.
They provide members with results of research, quarterly publications, make submissions to government on issues like housing affordability and more.
Its members comprise state and territory real estate institutes such as the Real Estate Institutes of: ACT, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia, and Victoria.
