You must have a licence to sell, lease or manage a property on behalf of a client in WA.
There are two main types of roles:
- Real estate agent
- Sales representatives including property managers
Each role has specific qualifications and continuing professional development (CPD) requirements.
Licences and registrations are usually for a three year period.
Real estate and business agents
You need a real estate agent licence to sell, lease and manage real estate on behalf of clients.
An agent is responsible for managing all the real estate transactions and the agency trust accounts. They can manage or own a real estate business and supervise sales representatives and property managers.
Real estate agents can:
- negotiate transactions like buying, selling or leasing property
- act as an agent for a prospective purchaser, seller, landlord or tenant
- collect rent for a tenancy and providing property management services
- act as an auctioneer provided you also hold auctioneer accreditation
- own or manage a real estate business
- supervise staff including sales representatives and property managers
Individual licences
To apply for a licence, you must:
- be at least 18 years old
- be a person of good character and repute
- be suitably qualified
- have sufficient practical experience
- have access to sufficient assets and financial resources; and
- understand fully your duties and obligations under the REBA Act.
More information is available from real estate agent licencing pages on WA.gov.au.
Body corporate and partnership licences
Real estate businesses running as a body corporate or partnership also require either a:
Depending on the size and structure of the business, you will need at least one person has to hold in individual licence.
Unlicensed trading
Anyone who falsely claims to be, or implies they are, a licensed real estate and business agent may be liable for a penalty up to $100,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a body corporate.
Sale representatives
There are three qualification pathways to register as a sales representative:
- unrestricted (can complete sales and property management transactions)
- restricted to sales transaction
- restricted to property management transactions often called a property manager
Sales representatives must work under the supervision of a licensed real estate agent. They cannot work independently or manage a real estate office.
Sales representatives restricted to sale transactions are commonly involved in selling and marketing properties.
Sales representatives restricted to property management usually specialise in the day-to-day management of rental properties. They are responsible for:
- Finding tenants
- Collecting rent
- Conducting property inspections
- Handling maintenance issues
- Communicating between tenant(s) and landlord(s)
Registration requirements
To register you must:
- be at least 18 years old
- be a person of good character and repute
- be suitably qualified; and
- understand fully your duties and obligations under the REBA Act
Unregistered trading
Anyone who falsely claims to be, or implies they are, a registered real estate and business sales representative may be liable for a penalty up to $25,000.
When a real estate agent licence is not needed
There are a range of agency roles which may not need a licence or certificate of registration at all:
- answering the phone
- responding to basic customer queries
- coordinating appointments for agents
- support at open homes, for example setting up A-frames outside the property or handing out flyers
- issuing keys or access devices to existing tenants
- receiving rent money from existing tenants (under the instruction of the property manager), and
- organising authorised work orders to contractors.
Applying for a licence or registration
Real estate licencing and registration pages on WA.gov.au have further details about:
- Qualification and training requirements
- Applying for a new licence:
- Renewing a licence
Refunds of licensing and registration fees
Application and licence fees are generally non-refundable except in special circumstances. For example, an error in the application process.
Application fees
Information about licence application and renewal fees is available from property industry licensing fees.
Continuing professional development (CPD)
To maintain your licence or registration, you need to complete continuing professional development (CPD) training each year. Compulsory topics change each year.
Training needs to be provided by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Your licence can be suspended if you do not meet your obligations.
Working interstate and mutual recognition
If you have a licence from elsewhere in Australia or New Zealand, you may be able to work in WA under automatic mutual recognition (AMR) or you can apply for licence under mutual recognition.
Need help applying?
If you have any questions about the application process, please call 1300 30 40 64 between 8:30am – 4:30pm weekdays.