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How to Get Your Real Estate Licence in Australia
State-by-state overview of licensing requirements, courses, costs, and timelines.
Published 13 January 2025
Registration vs full licence
In most states you start with a certificate of registration (or assistant agent registration) that lets you work under a licensed agent, then progress to a full licence later.
State by state, briefly
- NSW: Assistant Agent registration via a Certificate IV pathway, overseen by NSW Fair Trading.
- VIC: Agent's Representative course to start; full Licensed Estate Agent requires additional units plus experience.
- QLD: Real Estate Salesperson Registration Certificate through the Office of Fair Trading.
- WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT: Each has its own registration body and course units — always confirm with the state regulator.
Costs and timelines
Entry courses typically run from a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars and can be completed in weeks if you study intensively.
Practical tip: Line up an agency to sponsor you before you finish the course. A registration with no agency behind it stalls fast.
Summary
- Start with registration, upgrade to a full licence with experience.
- Requirements differ by state — check the regulator directly.
- Secure agency sponsorship early.