Starting out
How to become a buyers agent in Australia
A buyers agent is a licensed real estate agent who acts for the buyer. Being licensed to do the work and being licensed to run your own agency are two different things.
Tell us about your business and what you need.
The short answer
Plan for the licence you need to own the business.
How to become a buyers agent: get the real estate licence your state requires to act for buyers, and plan from the start for the higher licence needed to run your own agency.
Licensing is a state matter and the classes have different names in each state, so check your own regulator before enrolling. The details below are for NSW.
Licensing in NSW
The NSW path
NSW Fair Trading requires a Class 2 real estate licence to work as a buyers agent: a Certificate IV in real estate practice and twelve months as an assistant agent. A Class 2 holder must work under a Class 1 licence holder, so running your own agency needs the Class 1.
- Certificate of registration
- Lets you work as an assistant agent.
- Twelve months as an assistant agent
- The experience requirement.
- Certificate IV in real estate practice
- The qualification behind the Class 2.
- Class 2 licence
- You can act for buyers, under a Class 1 holder.
- Class 1 licence
- Needed to run your own agency.
Check the current requirements with NSW Fair Trading. Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and the other states run their own systems.
Pricing
How buyers agents charge
Buyers agents charge a fixed fee or a percentage of the purchase price, usually with an engagement fee upfront. The client pays before the result exists, so credibility matters more than in most parts of real estate.
A percentage fee means the client pays more when less is negotiated off the price, which you need to be able to explain. What clients usually pay for is access to properties before they are listed, the ability to read contracts and building reports, and the discipline to walk away.
- Fixed fee or percentage
- Choose one and be able to explain it in a sentence.
- An engagement fee
- It filters out people who are not ready to buy.
- What is included
- Auction bidding, building reports or negotiation only.
First clients
Where the first clients come from
Most work comes from mortgage brokers, accountants, financial advisers and past clients. Mortgage brokers are the strongest source, because they speak with people who have finance approved. Each referral looks you up before calling, so the website and Google Business Profile carry real weight in this trade.
- Create the Google Business Profile
- Searches for buyers agents usually include a suburb.
- Build relationships with mortgage brokers
- They meet buyers with finance ready.
- Publish what you have done
- Real purchases, suburbs and what was negotiated.
- Ask every client for a review
- At settlement.
The short version
Get the licence that lets you act for buyers, plan for the one that lets you own the agency, and make your website show the purchases you have handled.
From clients
What clients say about working with spareday
“Excellent in all facets of web design with particular expertise in SEO and email marketing. Online visibility has skyrocketed since working Reece which translates as flawless customer relations, new leads and new customers.”
“He created a stunning website for us that captures and nurtures leads with an automated email marketing system, which has filled a huge gap in the business and saved a lot of time (and money!).”
“He didn’t just build me a great website, he created an easy-to-manage system that allows me to make updates myself whenever I need to. He has spared me so much time doing all of this myself!”
Official guidance
For independent background, read the NSW Government’s real estate agent licence guidance and the official guidance on registering a business name.
Common questions
Questions people ask.
Do I need a licence to be a buyers agent in Australia?
Yes. A buyers agent is a licensed real estate agent acting for the buyer, and licensing is handled by each state. In NSW that means at least a Class 2 licence.
Can I run my own buyers agency on a Class 2 licence in NSW?
No. A Class 2 holder works under a Class 1 holder. Running your own agency needs the Class 1.
What qualification do I need in NSW?
The Certificate IV in real estate practice and twelve months of experience as an assistant agent.
How do buyers agents charge?
A fixed fee or a percentage of the purchase price, usually with an engagement fee upfront.
Where do the first clients come from?
Mortgage brokers first, then accountants, financial advisers and past clients.
How does spareday charge?
spareday quotes one price for the work your business needs, agreed in writing before anything starts. The figure depends on what the business needs, and it comes with your quote.
Who you’ll work with
Hi, I’m Reece.
spareday is my business, based here in Newcastle. You’ll deal with me from the first review of your website, and I’m the person you talk to each month about what’s working.
Find us
spareday in Newcastle.
12 Grey Street, Wickham, Newcastle NSW 2293.
Next step
Get a free growth plan for your buyers agency.
Tell us your area and the buyers you want to work with. We will talk through the details and send you a free growth plan, price included.
Or call 0485 017 387.