How do you get a real estate licence in Victoria?

Who regulates real estate in Victoria?

Two bodies are involved. Consumer Affairs Victoria runs the website, the myCAV online system and the guidance. The Business Licensing Authority (BLA) grants estate agent licences, keeps the public register and decides permission applications for people with a disqualifying history. Both operate under the Estate Agents Act 1980 and the Estate Agents (Education) Regulations 2020.

Victoria has two levels. An agent's representative works for a licensed estate agent and, with written authority, can do anything that agent is legally allowed to do. That includes selling and property management. A rep cannot run an agency business. Running an agency requires the estate agent's licence, and a company trading as an agency needs its own company licence.

Becoming an agent's representative

If you are new to the industry, you need 18 units from the Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice (CPP41419): 15 named core units covering ethics, legislation, trust accounts, sales and tenancy, plus 3 electives that fit the qualification's packaging rules. The units must have been completed within the last 5 years, through a registered training organisation that teaches Victorian estate agency law and practice.

You must be at least 18, and you must not have a conviction in the last 10 years for fraud, dishonesty, drug trafficking or violence carrying three months or more in jail. You give your employer your Statement of Attainment and a police check. If the check is more than 6 months old, you add a statutory declaration and must supply a fresh check within 6 weeks of starting.

What changes on 25 November 2026 and 1 April 2027?

Until now, reps did not apply to anyone. The employer checked eligibility and notified the BLA. From 25 November 2026, every agent's representative must hold an individual registration with the BLA before working or holding themselves out as a rep. Registered reps pay an annual registration fee, lodge an annual statement and update the BLA directly when their details change. Agents cannot employ an unregistered rep.

If you are employed by a licensed estate agent as at 24 November 2026 and your employer has notified the BLA of your employment, you are registered automatically from 25 November 2026. New applicants from 25 November apply and pay through myCAV. Fee changes for licence transactions also start on 25 November 2026. From 1 April 2027, licensed agents and reps must complete at least 5 CPD activities a year, on mandatory topics set by the BLA, with written assessments.

Getting the full estate agent's licence

You need an aggregate of at least one year's full-time experience as an agent's representative in Victoria within the 3 years before you apply. On top of the 18 Certificate IV units, you need 12 units of the Diploma of Property (Agency Management): 7 prescribed units covering compliance, trust account management, ethics, workplace safety, teams, finances and business planning, plus 5 electives. Courses must be completed within the last 5 years unless an experience exemption applies.

You apply through myCAV, prove your identity and pass a national criminal history check. The 2026-27 application fee is $450.90 and is non-refundable. You cannot trade as an estate agent until the BLA grants the licence. After that, you lodge an annual statement and fee ($250.80 for an individual) in the six weeks before your licence anniversary each year.

Pay

AUD a year, before tax. The Victorian figure is modelled from ABS Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), indexed to 2026, and is an estimate. Award rows are the official Real Estate Industry Award 2020 minimums from 1 July 2026 for a 38-hour week. Commission, listings won and whether you sell or manage property move actual earnings most. Refer to the Real Estate Sales salary guide for figures from live adverts.

What you need

• AgeYou must be at least 18 to work as an agent's representative or hold an estate agent's licence.
• Rep education18 units of the Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice (CPP41419): 15 named core units and 3 electives, completed within the last 5 years.
• Licence educationThe 18 Certificate IV units plus 12 Diploma of Property (Agency Management) units: 7 prescribed and 5 electives.
• Licence experienceAt least one year of full-time experience, in aggregate, as an agent's representative in Victoria within the 3 years before you apply.
• ProbityNo conviction in the last 10 years for fraud, dishonesty, drug trafficking or violence punishable by 3 months or more in jail. Insolvency or a Victorian Property Fund claim also disqualifies you unless the BLA grants permission.
• Rep registrationFrom 25 November 2026, reps must hold their own BLA registration and pay an annual fee. Existing reps who are employed and appear on the BLA register as at 24 November 2026 are registered automatically.
• CPDFrom 1 April 2027, licensed agents and reps must complete at least 5 CPD activities a year, with written assessments, to keep their licence or registration.

How to get there

1. Months 0-6Complete the 18 Certificate IV unitsEnrol with a registered training organisation that teaches Victorian estate agency law. You need the 15 core CPP41419 units and 3 electives.
2. From month 6Start work as an agent's representativeYour employer checks your eligibility and gives you written authority. From 25 November 2026 you also need your own BLA registration, applied for through myCAV.
3. Year 1-3Build full-time experienceWork in sales or property management under a licensed agent. You need at least one year full-time, in aggregate, in the 3 years before applying for a licence.
4. Year 1-3Complete the Diploma unitsAdd 12 Diploma of Property (Agency Management) units: 7 prescribed management and compliance units plus 5 electives.
5. After 1 year's experienceApply for the estate agent's licenceLodge through myCAV with your qualification evidence and identity documents, and pay the $450.90 fee (2026-27).
6. Every yearKeep it currentLodge the annual statement and fee before your licence anniversary. From 1 April 2027, complete at least 5 CPD activities each year.

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Sources

1. Consumer Affairs Victoria: Agents' representatives
2. Consumer Affairs Victoria: New rules for estate agents and agents' representatives
3. Consumer Affairs Victoria: myCAV and registration requirements for agents' representatives
4. Consumer Affairs Victoria: New education rules for agents and agents' representatives
5. Consumer Affairs Victoria: Apply for an estate agent's licence (individual)
6. Consumer Affairs Victoria: Fees and forms for estate agents
7. Consumer Affairs Victoria: Annual statement and fees
8. Consumer Affairs Victoria: Mutual recognition of interstate and NZ licences
9. Consumer Affairs Victoria: Automatic mutual recognition
10. Fair Work Ombudsman: Real Estate Industry Award 2020