How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Victoria: Your 2026 Career Guide
Thinking about starting a career in real estate in Victoria but not sure where to begin?
Whether you’re interested in selling property, becoming a property manager or eventually running your own real estate agency, understanding the qualifications and requirements is an important first step.
One of the most common questions we hear at Complete Property Training is: “What course do I need to become a real estate agent in Victoria?”
The answer depends on where you’re starting and what you want to achieve in your real estate career.
From choosing the right qualification to understanding Victoria’s new registration requirements, here’s everything you need to know about getting started in the real estate industry in 2026.
Step 1: Understand How to Start a Real Estate Career in Victoria
For most people entering the Victorian real estate industry, the first step is becoming an agent’s representative.
An agent’s representative works under the employment and supervision of a licensed estate agent and can perform authorised real estate activities, including working in property sales or property management.
It’s a common starting point for people entering the industry, giving them the opportunity to gain practical experience and build their careers.
Some professionals spend their entire careers working in sales or property management, while others progress into leadership positions, agency management or become fully licensed estate agents.
Step 2: Complete the Required Victorian Real Estate Training
Before you can work as an agent’s representative in Victoria, you’ll need to meet the state’s education requirements.
For people entering the industry for the first time, this currently involves completing 15 prescribed units of competency from CPP41419 Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice, generally within the five years before starting work.
The full CPP41419 Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice is a nationally recognised qualification comprising 18 units of competency.
These units develop knowledge and practical skills across important areas of real estate, including:
- Victorian real estate legislation and professional responsibilities
- Ethical practice and compliance
- Property appraisals and marketing
- Working with vendors and buyers
- Property sales processes
- Working with rental providers and renters
- Managing residential tenancies
- Trust account requirements
- Communication and customer relationships
Importantly, your real estate training must be relevant to Victorian legislation, practice and procedures.
Real estate regulations differ between Australian states and territories, so it’s essential to choose training that meets the requirements for working in Victoria.
Step 3: Decide Whether Property Sales or Property Management Interests You
One of the benefits of working in real estate is the variety of career opportunities available.
Two of the most common areas for new agents’ representatives are property sales and property management.
Working in Real Estate Sales
If you enjoy meeting people, building relationships and working in a fast-paced environment, property sales could be a good fit.
A sales role may involve:
- Prospecting and generating new business
- Conducting property appraisals
- Working with vendors and buyers
- Coordinating property marketing
- Attending open homes and inspections
- Negotiating offers and supporting property transactions
Working in Property Management
If you’re organised, enjoy problem-solving and have strong communication skills, property management may be worth exploring.
Property management roles can involve:
- Managing relationships with rental providers and renters
- Conducting routine property inspections
- Coordinating repairs and maintenance
- Managing tenancy documentation
- Overseeing rent and tenancy administration
- Ensuring compliance with Victorian rental legislation
You don’t necessarily need to decide which direction you’ll take before starting your training.
Developing an understanding of both sales and property management can provide a valuable foundation for your career.
Step 4: Understand Victoria’s New Agent Registration Requirements
If you’re planning to enter the real estate industry in late 2026, there’s an important regulatory change you need to know about.
From 25 November 2026, new agents’ representatives in Victoria will be required to hold their own individual registration with the Business Licensing Authority (BLA).
Previously, an employing licensed estate agent was responsible for confirming an agent’s representative’s eligibility and notifying the BLA of their employment.
Under the new system, agents’ representatives will need to apply for individual registration through myCAV before performing agents’ representative duties.
New applicants will need to:
- Meet the relevant eligibility requirements
- Complete the prescribed education requirements
- Apply for registration through myCAV
- Pay the applicable registration fee
- Continue working under the employment and supervision of a licensed estate agent
Individual registration introduces greater personal responsibility for maintaining professional standing, including annual registration obligations.
From 1 April 2027, registered agents’ representatives will also be required to complete annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
This means ongoing training will become part of maintaining your registration throughout your real estate career.
For the latest details, visit the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.
Do You Need Previous Experience to Become a Real Estate Agent?
No. You don’t need previous real estate experience to begin studying the required entry-level qualification.
People enter the industry from a wide variety of professional backgrounds, including:
- Retail and customer service
- Hospitality
- Sales and marketing
- Administration
- Finance and banking
- Business management
- Other client-focused industries
Many of the skills developed in these roles can transfer well into real estate.
Communication, organisation, negotiation, customer service and problem-solving are all valuable skills within a real estate agency.
Your real estate training provides the foundation for understanding how those skills apply within the legal and professional requirements of the property industry.
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Real Estate Course in Victoria?
The time it takes to complete your real estate training depends on several factors, including the course you enrol in, how it’s delivered, your previous experience and the time you can dedicate to studying.
When researching real estate courses, you’ll likely notice that training providers advertise different completion timeframes.
However, choosing the fastest course isn’t necessarily the best way to prepare for a career in real estate.
Real estate professionals work with contracts, legislation, trust money and transactions that can involve significant financial decisions.
Having a thorough understanding of your responsibilities is essential.
When comparing courses, consider the quality of the training, access to experienced trainers and whether the assessments help you develop skills you’ll use in a real estate workplace.
Online or Face-to-Face Real Estate Training in Melbourne?
Choosing between online and face-to-face real estate training is another important decision.
Online courses can offer flexibility, particularly for people balancing study with existing work or family commitments.
However, if you’re completely new to real estate, face-to-face training can provide additional opportunities to ask questions, interact with experienced trainers and learn through practical industry examples.
For many students, discussing real-world scenarios in a classroom can make complex topics such as legislation, property transactions and compliance easier to understand.
When looking for a real estate course in Melbourne, consider how the course is delivered and the level of support you’ll receive throughout your training.
The right learning environment can make a real difference when you’re preparing to enter a new industry.
What Should You Look for in a Victorian Real Estate Course?
Not all real estate training experiences are the same.
Before enrolling, it’s worth asking a few important questions.
Is the course specifically relevant to Victorian real estate legislation?
Will you have access to experienced industry trainers?
Does the training include practical examples and realistic property industry scenarios?
Can you ask questions and receive support when needed?
Does the training meet the current educational requirements for your intended role?
Is the provider a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) authorised to deliver the relevant nationally recognised training?
A real estate qualification can help you meet the requirements to enter the industry.
Quality training helps prepare you for what happens once you start working.
What Jobs Can You Apply for After Your Real Estate Training?
Once you’ve completed the relevant training and met the applicable eligibility and registration requirements, you can begin exploring employment opportunities within Victorian real estate agencies.
Depending on the position and its responsibilities, opportunities may include:
- Real Estate Sales Associate
- Sales Agent
- Assistant Property Manager
- Property Manager
- Leasing Consultant
- Property Management Administrator
- Sales Administrator
- Real Estate Receptionist
- Business Development Assistant
Some administrative roles may not require registration if they don’t involve performing agents’ representative duties.
Your first position is an opportunity to build practical experience, develop your knowledge of the industry and discover which direction you’d like your career to take.
How Do You Become a Fully Licensed Estate Agent in Victoria?
For some people, becoming an agent’s representative is just the beginning.
If your long-term goal is to operate your own agency or become a fully licensed estate agent, there are additional education and experience requirements.
Victoria’s licensing pathway includes prescribed competencies from:
- CPP41419 Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice
- CPP51122 Diploma of Property (Agency Management)
You’ll also need to meet the relevant experience requirements.
Under the current Victorian rules, applicants generally need the equivalent of at least one year of full-time experience working as an agent’s representative in Victoria within the three years immediately before applying for a licence.
The Diploma develops knowledge in areas such as agency management, leadership, compliance, financial management and business planning.
This creates a career pathway where you can begin as an agent’s representative, build experience in the industry and progress towards becoming a licensed estate agent.
Is Real Estate a Good Career in Victoria?
Real estate offers a range of opportunities for people with different skills, interests and career goals.
While property sales is often the most visible part of the industry, there are many other areas to explore.
You may find that you enjoy working with clients in property management, developing new business, managing teams or overseeing agency operations.
For those with long-term ambitions, there’s also the opportunity to progress into leadership or agency ownership.
Like any career, success in real estate takes commitment, ongoing learning and a willingness to develop your skills.
Starting with the right training can help you build a strong foundation for whatever direction you choose.
Start Your Real Estate Career with Complete Property Training
If you’ve been searching for how to become a real estate agent in Victoria, choosing the right training is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.
At Complete Property Training, we believe real estate education should be practical, engaging and relevant to the industry.
Our Victorian real estate training focuses on helping students understand the legislation, professional responsibilities and real-world situations they’ll encounter when working in property.
Whether you’re interested in property sales, property management or eventually progressing towards your full estate agent’s licence, our team can help you understand the training pathway that suits your career goals.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Your real estate career starts with the right foundation.
Contact Complete Property Training today to learn more about our Victorian real estate courses, training options and upcoming course dates.
Let us help you take the first step towards your new career in real estate.