How automatic mutual recognition works
Automatic mutual recognition (AMR) comes from Part 3A of the Commonwealth Mutual Recognition Act 1992. If you hold an eligible licence in your home state, the law treats you as registered to do the same work in another participating state. You don't apply for a second licence or pay for one. Your home state is where you live or do most of your work. It applies to individuals only. Companies and partnerships need a licence in each state.
Every state and territory takes part except Queensland. Real estate joined in NSW last, from 1 July 2025. Your licence still has to be current, and the scheme only covers work your home licence already allows. If Victoria lets agents do more than your home state does, you can only do what your home licence permits. If your home state allows something the host state does not, you can't do it there.
What you have to do before working in another state
Every participating state wants real estate licensees to notify it before they start. In NSW you notify NSW Fair Trading through Service NSW and contribute to the Property Services Compensation Fund. The amount is worked out when you notify. In Victoria, estate agents notify the Business Licensing Authority through myCAV, with no notification fee. In South Australia you notify Consumer and Business Services online before starting, and there is no fee.
In Western Australia you lodge a Notice of Intent and show you meet public protection requirements. There is no notification fee, but you must pay into the Fidelity Guarantee Account. In the ACT you notify Access Canberra and meet any public protection rules, such as insurance or trust account requirements. Once you start, the host state's laws apply to you, including its conduct rules, trust account rules and disciplinary process.
Queensland: mutual recognition by application
Queensland only accepts interstate agents through the older mutual recognition process. You must hold a Queensland licence or registration. Use Form 1 for a licence or Form 2 for a registration, and attach a copy of your interstate licence and certified ID. The Office of Fair Trading runs a criminal history check, charges fees and takes 4 to 6 weeks to process. You can keep working while it decides, but only within the limits of your current licence and only while that licence is valid.
Some licences don't transfer at all. A NSW property registration, such as an assistant agent certificate, can't be moved to Queensland. Neither can a NSW or ACT Class 2 real estate agent licence, because Queensland says it isn't equivalent. In those cases you apply for a new Queensland licence or registration. Corporate real estate licences also need a new application.
When automatic recognition does not apply
You can't use AMR if your licence is suspended or cancelled, if you are facing disciplinary proceedings, or if your licence carries conditions because of criminal, civil or disciplinary matters. A New Zealand licence doesn't qualify for AMR. It goes through the separate trans-Tasman arrangements.
If you move permanently, the new state becomes your home state and you need its licence. South Australia and Western Australia both say you then apply through standard mutual recognition. The stakes are shared too. Victoria warns that if it suspends or cancels your right to work there, your home state licence is suspended or cancelled as well.
What you need
- Current home licenceYou need a valid licence or registration from a participating state that covers the work you plan to do. AMR does not cover Queensland licences.
- Individual, not companyAMR covers individual licensees only. A company needs its own licence in each state.
- Clean recordYou can't be suspended, facing disciplinary action, or working under conditions imposed for criminal, civil or disciplinary matters in any state.
- Notification firstNotify the host regulator before you start work. In NSW that is NSW Fair Trading, in Victoria the Business Licensing Authority, and in SA Consumer and Business Services.
- Public protectionSome states require insurance or a fund contribution, such as the NSW Property Services Compensation Fund or the WA Fidelity Guarantee Account.
- Same scope of workYou can only do in the host state what your home licence allows. The host state's laws apply while you work there.
State by state
| New South Wales | Real estate came under AMR from 1 July 2025. Notify NSW Fair Trading through Service NSW, contribute to the Property Services Compensation Fund, and hold professional indemnity cover. A licensee in charge can't open a trust account until the notification has been verified. |
|---|---|
| Victoria | Interstate estate agents must notify the Business Licensing Authority through myCAV before working, and no fee applies. Agents working under AMR appear on the estate agents public register. |
| Queensland | Queensland is not part of AMR. You apply to the Office of Fair Trading for a Queensland licence or registration through mutual recognition. NSW registrations and NSW or ACT Class 2 licences can't be transferred. |
| South Australia | Notify Consumer and Business Services online before starting, with no fee. If SA becomes your home state, you must apply for an SA registration through standard mutual recognition. |
| Western Australia | Lodge a Notice of Intent and show you meet public protection requirements, including a Fidelity Guarantee Account contribution. Sales representatives must stay employed by a WA licensed agent. |
| Australian Capital Territory | Real estate agents and assistant agents can notify Access Canberra and work under an automatic deemed registration. You must meet ACT public protection requirements, which can include insurance and trust accounts. |
| Northern Territory | Property agents in the NT must be licensed. The NT government publishes a list of interstate property agents approved to work there under AMR. |
How to get there
- Before any interstate workConfirm eligibilityMake sure your home licence is current, covers the work, and has no disciplinary conditions. Check whether you're staying in your home state or moving for good.
- Before startingNotify the host regulatorLodge the AMR notification with the host state's regulator and include evidence of your home licence.
- With notificationMeet public protection rulesPay any fund contribution and arrange insurance or a local trust account if the host state requires it.
- OngoingWork under host state lawFollow the host state's conduct, trust account, disclosure and CPD rules while you work there.
- On movingApply for a local licence if you relocateIf the new state becomes your home, apply for its licence through standard mutual recognition. In Queensland, apply to the Office of Fair Trading.
Open now on PropertyRoles.com.au
Questions people ask
Do I need a second licence to sell property in another state?
Usually no, if your home licence is from NSW, Victoria, SA, WA, Tasmania, the ACT or the NT. Automatic mutual recognition treats you as registered in the other participating states once you notify the local regulator. Queensland is the exception and needs its own licence.
Can I use my NSW Class 2 licence in Queensland?
No. Queensland says a NSW or ACT Class 2 real estate agent licence is not equivalent to a Queensland real estate agent licence. You need to submit a new application for a Queensland licence.
Is there a fee to work interstate under AMR?
There is no notification fee in Victoria, South Australia or Western Australia. NSW requires a contribution to the Property Services Compensation Fund, calculated when you notify. WA requires a payment into its Fidelity Guarantee Account.
What happens if I move to another state permanently?
The new state becomes your home state, so you need its licence. South Australia and Western Australia direct people who relocate to apply through standard mutual recognition.
Can a Queensland agent work in other states under AMR?
No. Queensland doesn't take part in the scheme, and the ACT and WA both say Queensland licence holders can't use AMR. They must apply for a licence through standard mutual recognition.
Does my real estate company get recognised too?
No. AMR applies to individuals only. A company needs a licence in each state where it operates, and Queensland won't grant mutual recognition for a corporate real estate licence.
Sources
- NSW Government: AMR occupations, property and real estate
- NSW Government: Automatic Mutual Recognition expanded in NSW
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Automatic mutual recognition
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Obligations for estate agents under mutual recognition
- Queensland Government: Transfer to a Queensland property licence
- WA Government: Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR)
- SA.GOV.AU: Recognition of interstate and overseas work licences
- Consumer and Business Services: Automatic recognition of licences
- Access Canberra: Interstate occupational licences and registrations
- NT Government: Interstate property agents
