Accredited courses from leading Australian universities, TAFEs and colleges
Qualification Level
Accredited courses from leading Australian universities, TAFEs and colleges
The Australian real estate trade covers the buying, selling and renting of homes and business sites. It plays a steady part in the wider economy and employs around 226,200 people. Pure real estate work alone makes up 147,500 of those jobs (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026). The trade has grown at a steady pace for two decades, tracking population growth and shifting demand in our biggest cities. Most agents and property staff hold a certificate IV-level qualification listed on training.gov.au, the national register of approved courses.
Demand in our cities has pushed home prices and rents up in recent years. This keeps real estate high on the list of things people talk about and debate. Agents and property staff sit at the centre of all this, helping clients deal with high costs and a tight rental market. The trade has also picked up new tools, such as digital forms, online tours and data-based pricing, all built to speed up each deal.
Property stays a key way for many Australians to build wealth, which keeps demand for good staff high. Sales agents, property staff and investment advisers each play their part in this chain. Together, they help buyers and back the wider building and money trades that rely on a healthy property market.
Looking ahead, the trade will keep changing as buyer needs shift and new tools change how homes are sold and managed. Staff who build strong client bonds while they pick up new tools tend to do best, no matter which way the market turns next.
Real Estate workers may earn between $55000 and $110000 per year
Jobs and Skills Australia (2026) puts median weekly earnings across the rental, hiring and real estate services industry at around $1,700. That works out to roughly $88,400 a year. Real estate sales agents specifically average between $90,000 and $110,000 a year, according to SEEK career advice data (2026). Pay varies widely with commission structure and location. Property managers typically earn between $75,000 and $90,000 a year, rising with portfolio size and experience.
After finishing a real estate course, most graduates move into one of a handful of related roles across sales, management and advisory work. Common next steps include:
People who train for a career in property can take on a wide range of roles. Each one plays a different part in how a home or site changes hands or gets managed. Many start out as sales agents, helping buyers and sellers move through a deal from the first listing to the final sale. In this role, they typically handle:
Others move into property management, looking after homes or business sites on behalf of owners. This path usually involves:
A smaller group works in property advice, helping clients decide where and how to invest. This work often includes:
Whichever path someone picks, the work rewards people who talk clearly, build trust fast and stay on top of things when it gets busy.
Succeeding in Australian real estate takes more than knowing the local market. Employers and clients tend to look for people who show the following traits and skills:
Job prospects across Australian real estate stay solid, especially in the busy city areas where most property deals happen. Sales agents make up the biggest job group in the trade. Land valuers and other retail and service managers come close behind (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026). Property managers stay in steady demand too, since rental markets stay tight in most big cities.
High housing costs and a tight rental supply keep demand high for people who can handle tenant ties and work through a busy market. This has opened up steady jobs for new agents and property managers. Those who know how to use digital tools tend to have an edge, since fast deals and clear client talk matter more than ever now.
Real estate can be a genuinely rewarding path for anyone who enjoys people, property and the occasional negotiation. Beyond the usual sales and property management roles, it also suits those with an entrepreneurial streak. Many eventually build and run their own agency.
Licensing rules vary from state to state, so it pays to check the exact steps where you plan to work. A certificate IV-level real estate qualification is the usual starting point, and many providers list options through certificate IV courses on StudySelect.
Absolutely. Real estate offers scalable income, room to build a personal brand, and the chance to run your own agency down the track. A certificate IV-level qualification can fast-track your entry into the industry.
Licensing varies. For example, NSW requires registration followed by a Class 2 and then Class 1 licence. Always check with your local government authority, such as QLD Fair Trading.
Yes. Your training and licence can often be expanded to cover both disciplines. Many agents begin in property management before moving into sales or agency ownership.
Housing demand and steady investment activity continue to support real estate roles across the country. Digital skills and strong negotiation ability are especially in demand right now.
No. Practical training and a valid licence matter more than a degree. Many top agents and property managers build their careers through accredited training and hands-on experience.
