Starting out
What a real estate agency licence (or license) involves in Australia
A real estate agency licence is different from an agent registration. A registration lets you work for an agency; a licence lets you trade under your own name and hold other people’s money in a trust account.
Tell us about your business and what you need.
The short answer
Each state issues its own licence.
A real estate agency licence (often searched as “real estate agency license”) is issued by each state and territory, and the qualification, experience and fees are set at that level. There is no national licence, though mutual recognition can shorten the path between states.
Once the licence arrives you are legally an agency, often with no listings, website or reviews yet.
Licence or registration
What every state asks for, in some form
- A qualification
- A licensing course above the registration level.
- Documented experience
- Usually a period working under a licensed agent.
- A fit and proper person assessment
- Criminal history, bankruptcy and past conduct. Allow weeks.
- A compliant trust account
- Separate, audited, with rules on how quickly money moves.
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Required before you trade.
The trust account obligations are the serious part and start the day you trade. Getting them wrong can end a licence. In NSW the licence that lets you run an agency is a Class 1 licence: only a Class 1 holder can be the licensee in charge and authorise trust account withdrawals. A Class 2 licence or an assistant agent certificate lets you work under one. Check your own state’s regulator for current requirements; in NSW that is NSW Fair Trading.
Winning vendors
What has to exist before you open
The licence removes the legal barrier, not the commercial one. Vendors choose who to trust with their largest asset from agents they know, agents they were referred to and agents who look established when searched. Searches like “what is my house worth” and “property appraisal” in your suburb rarely include a new agency’s name.
- A page that answers what a home is worth
- The appraisal request is the main enquiry an agency site needs.
- A Google Business Profile
- Vendors read reviews before they call.
- Recent local sales, shown honestly
- Including sales made while working under another licence, where you can say so accurately.
- A follow-up system
- A vendor who requests an appraisal today may list months later.
The short version
Check your state regulator’s requirements early, especially the experience and fit and proper assessment, and have an appraisal page, profile and follow-up system ready for the day the licence arrives.
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 was able to take our rough ideas, from concept through to reality. The site has provided an influx of new members, helping to keep our club viable.”
“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!).”
Official guidance
For independent background, read the NSW Government’s real estate agent licence guidance and the official guidance on business insurance.
Common questions
Questions people ask.
Is a real estate agency licence the same as an agent registration?
No. A registration lets you work under a licensed agency. An agency licence lets you run your own and hold a trust account; in NSW that means a Class 1 licence.
Is the licence national?
No. Each state and territory licenses separately. Mutual recognition can shorten the path between states.
What takes the longest?
The experience requirement and the fit and proper person assessment. Neither can be rushed at the end.
What should I have ready for the day it arrives?
A way for vendors to request an appraisal, a Google Business Profile with reviews, and a follow-up system.
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 agency.
spareday builds the website and Google Business Profile for new agencies. Tell us your area and when you plan to open. We will talk through the details and send you a free growth plan, price included.
Or call 0485 017 387.