Real estate agent job description
Where we source our data
Let's get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you're making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That's why we anonymously surveyed real estate agent s about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it's really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can't guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Tasks and responsibilities for a real estate agent
A day in the life of a real estate agent is varied and fast-paced. Tasks span real estate sales and property management, and you’ll often work weekends and outside standard hours to meet clients.
Real estate agent duties can include:
- Listing properties, land, and businesses for sale
- Advising vendors and buyers on property values and market conditions
- Developing marketing and communication profiles for listed properties
- Conducting open homes, property inspections, and lease inspections
- Negotiating on behalf of buyers and vendors
- Preparing contracts and documents for residential sales and commercial transactions
- Managing vendor and landlord relationships throughout the sales or lease process
- Overseeing trust accounts and operational finances
- Coordinating with tradespeople for property services and maintenance on rentals
- Conducting auctions
- Updating property listings
How to become a real estate agent
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Study
To work in real estate in Australia, you must first complete a real estate course with a registered training organisation. The specific qualification you need depends on your state. In most states, the minimum requirement is a registration certificate, which qualifies you to work as an agent’s representative or assistant real estate agent under a licensed agent.
Real estate training covers practical skills in real estate sales, property management, ethical practice, interpreting legislation, and trust account management. Many courses include simulated workplace environments to ensure you’re job-ready upon completion.
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Gain hands-on experience
Most states require you to work under a licensed real estate agent before you can apply for your own license. This supervised work experience is where you build the real-world real estate knowledge and practical skills that classroom training alone can’t provide.
- In Victoria, you need at least one year of full-time experience as an agent’s representative before applying for a full licence.
- In other states, a Class 2 licence may similarly require 12 months of supervised experience.
- This experience must typically be completed within three years of your licence application.
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Apply for your real estate agent licence
Once you’ve completed your real estate agent training and met your state’s experience requirements, you can apply for your real estate agent licence through your local licensing authority.
You’ll typically need to submit:
- Certified copies of three identity documents (such as a birth certificate and photo ID)
- Proof of your completed qualification from a registered training organisation
- Evidence of your supervised experience
- A criminal background check
- A completed licence application and the relevant application fee
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Maintain your licence through continuing professional development
Most states require licensed real estate agents to complete continuing professional development (CPD) each year to maintain their licence. CPD keeps industry professionals current with regulatory changes, ethical practice requirements and developments across the property industry.
Pathway options
The real estate industry offers a genuine career path, from entry-level roles as an agent’s representative to running your own real estate agency. The practical skills and real estate knowledge you gain along the way are also transferable to property services, business management, and client-facing roles in other industries.
Junior
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Real estate assistant
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Real Estate Practice or a short course in real estate
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Buyer's agent
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Real Estate Practice
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Assistant property manager
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Property Services
Mid
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Facilities manager
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Property Services (Real Estate)
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Property manager
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Property Services (Real Estate)
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Real estate agent
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice
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Real estate auctioneer
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice
Senior
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Real estate agency manager
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice
Explore related qualifications
Real Estate Professional Practice
The Real Estate Professional Practice short course provides a practical introduction to working in the real estate industry, covering the core skills and professional practice needed to get started. This includes ethical standards, client communication, and the day-to-day operations of a real estate agency. It’s designed for people who want to build foundational real estate knowledge before committing to a full qualification, or who want to upskill alongside on-the-job experience. The course is flexible, self-paced, and can be completed entirely online. It’s a great first step for anyone exploring a real estate career or working towards a Certificate III or Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice.
Certificate III in Real Estate Practice
This qualification gives you the foundational skills and real estate knowledge to begin working in the property industry as an agent’s representative. It covers real estate sales, property management basics, and the ethical and legal frameworks that underpin professional practice in Australia, and typically takes 6-12 months to complete, depending on study pace and provider. The course can be completed online at your own pace and is the minimum entry requirement for most states.
Certificate III in Property Services
This qualification provides an introduction to the property services sector, covering the fundamentals of real estate practice, client communication and property administration. It’s designed for people seeking to enter the industry in a support or assistant role, such as an assistant property manager or real estate assistant. It usually takes 12 months of full-time study to complete. Study options are flexible, with online and in-class delivery available depending on the provider.
Certificate IV in Property Services
This qualification builds on your foundational real estate knowledge and prepares you for mid-level roles across the property industry, including property and facilities management. It covers property management, real estate sales, compliance and client relationship management in greater depth. The usual course duration is 12-24 months, depending on study mode. Delivery varies by provider and may include online, in-person or blended study options.
Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice
This qualification is the key credential for anyone seeking to become a fully licensed real estate agent in Australia and is required for a full agent’s licence in Victoria. It covers real estate sales, property management, agency management, trust account management, operational finances, and professional practice. Course duration typically ranges from 6 to 12 months, depending on study mode. The course is available online and can be studied at your own pace through a registered training organisation.
