It goes without saying that when you are practicing your professional career in real estate, it is important to have a license to give you an edge over the competition.
Whether you have been in the real estate practice for a long time or a new one, at that, a professional real estate license will not just give your clients the confidence to trust in your expertise, but can also take your career to the next level.
It can spell the difference between making small commissions for referring a sale to a professional real estate broker and having your real estate agency with you manning the helm.
How to get your license in Australia
While the concept behind the real estate practice is fairly similar no matter where you are, securing a real estate license in Australia may vary from one territory to another.
New South Wales
Securing a license in New South Wales, candidates need to comply with certain specific eligibility requirements to be declared fit and proper to get one.
A candidate needs to comply with the following;
- Paid-up all relevant contributions to the Property Services Compensation Fund.
- Completed all requirements and passed the CPP40307 Certificate IV in Property Services, which is a real estate agent license course.
- Your primary work area should be in NSW or within a 50-kilometre radius of the NSW border.
The course requirements can be completed on-campus or online, as well as applications for a real estate license. You will be required to submit pertinent documents to support your application.
Queensland
Similar to NSW, there are eligibility and training requirements when applying for a real estate license in Queensland.
A candidate needs to complete the nationally-endorsed Property Services Training Package (CPP07) which covers training for the following skills;
- How to appraise property
- How to manage small business finances
- How to properly identify ethical and legal requirements of property management and agency processes
- How to interpret legislation in the property industry
- How to list properties in the real estate market
A candidate need s to pass competency requirements equivalent to 19 specific units in the training program, with courses that can be completed online or on-campus.
License applications can be downloaded from the Queensland Government website, after which the forms are filled out and mailed to the Office of Fair Trading or in person at the Queensland Government Service Office.
South Australia
Real estate agents in South Australia are referred to as Land Agents, where a professional license requires a candidate to complete a CPP50307 Diploma of Property Services on Agency Management.
Candidates need to complete a minimum of 24 units, with additional units for managing a real estate agency. Some of the basic training requirements cover the following;
- Performance management for agents
- Effectively developing a strategic business plan
- How to market your agency
- How to effectively manage financial plans and budgets
Similar to other territories, a national police certificate and financial probity requirements are also needed to support the license applications, which can be filled out online and attaching the prescribed documentary requirements.
Tasmania
For real estate license applications in Australia, candidates need to have the following;
- Diploma of Property Services in Agency Management (CPP50307)
- Minimum of two years experience as a professional property manager or representative within the previous five years before the license application
- Must be considered a fit and proper person
- Willingness to undergo continuing education relevant to the industry practice
- Must pay all required application fees and duties
The training course can be taken through the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania, while license applications are processed through the Property Agents Board of Tasmania.
Among the documentary requirements for application such as proof of professional indemnity insurance, professional details such as education, skill-set, and work experience, as well as a certificate of your National Police Record Check from the Tasmania Police.
Victoria
In Victoria, license applications go through the Consumer Affairs of Victoria with the following requirements;
- Minimum of 1-year experience as agent representative within Victoria at any time during the last three years before applying for a real estate license
- A Certificate IV in Property Services (Real Estate) or CPP40307
The course can be taken at the Real Estate Institute of Victoria or with accredited training and learning providers.
The application can be done online and candidates need to provide a national criminal history clearance and other records, certified copies of personal identification documents, and a certified true copy of your Victorian academic credentials.
Western Australia
When practicing in Western Australia, you will need a real estate license and a current triennial certificate, which is granted once your license is approved and must be renewed every three years.
Applying for a license requires a candidate to show proof of sufficient financial resources, a favourable credit history clearance, and a confidential statement of assets and liabilities.
Other key requirements are;
- CPP50307 Diploma of Property Services (Agency Management)
- Minimum of two years of continuous full-time professional experience in the industry immediately before applying for the license.
The application can be secured from the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation, and Safety. The application needs to be supported with the police clearance, statement of experience, and educational credentials.
The application documents can then be sent by post or in person at the department’s main office in Cannington or its regional offices.
Northern Territory
In the Northern Territory, a requirement for a license application is for the candidate to advertise their intention to apply in the Northern Territory News, which allows the public 14 days to file a notice of objection against a candidate, should there be any.
Similar to other territories, A Diploma of Property (Agency Management) CPP50307 is required, along with a police and probity check.
After the lapse of the 14-day publication, candidates can apply online or email, as well as my post, facsimile, or in person. Application forms can be downloaded from the nt.gov.au or any authorised business centre.
Australian Capital Territory
Similar to the Northern Territory, applying for a real estate license in the ACT also requires public notice.
Eligibility requirements include the mandatory CPP50307 Diploma of Property Services (Agency Management), a minimum of two years experience without any derogatory record, and a police clearance certificate from the Australian Federal Police.
The course is offered through the Real Estate Institute of the ACT, and license applications can be made online.
Always remember that practicing any professional career must have proof to show for it so that your clients can give you their trust and confidence. This is what your real estate license can do for you.