In Australia, each state is governed by its own set of regulations and laws — and this applies to real estate professions too. If you’ve done research on the real estate qualification requirements for your home state or territory, you should know that the respective real estate courses will only qualify you to work locally.
In other words, you’ll need to obtain the right study qualifications and licensing to work in the state or territory you’re in. But what if you decide to move to another state? Will your real estate licence be valid for work in a different state?
Can you work in another state or territory with a different real estate licence?
Yes — you can work in another state or territory despite having a real estate licence that is not local. Working with an interstate real estate licence is possible under the Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) process, which is a part of the Mutual Recognition Act 1992. The AMR allows individuals to hold an equivalent profession in another region using a licence from their home state or territory.
AMR is available in the following states and territories:
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Western Australia
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Australian Capital Territory
- Northern Territory
The only exception to this rule is Queensland. As of January 2025, Queensland does not participate in the AMR. Consequently, real estate licences from all other regions of Australia are not valid in Queensland. To work in Queensland’s real estate industry, individuals must obtain a Queensland real estate licence or registration.
How Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) works for real estate professions
Real estate professionals must continue to hold a valid licence in their home state or territory and can only perform work covered by the licence.
For example, someone holding a South Australian Property Manager Registration (PMR) can work as a property manager in New South Wales under AMR. However, they cannot sell or purchase property, as this type of work requires qualifications as real estate agents.
Real estate professions covered under the AMR scheme in the state or territory do not require individuals to apply for a local licence or pay additional fees unless explicitly stated. However, individuals are required to notify the local real estate regulatory body of their intention to work under AMR.
After submitting an AMR notification, real estate professionals can work in the state or territory for as long as their home licence remains valid, or if they obtain a local real estate licence.
Each state has its own set of eligibility requirements to apply for AMR (for example, to apply for AMR in Victoria you must not – among other requirements – be subject to any civil, criminal or disciplinary action in any state or territory in relation to real estate). It is important that you research the eligibility requirements for each state before you apply for AMR. These requirements can be found on the relevant state licensing body websites.
State-by-state guide for real estate AMR requirements
New South Wales
The AMR scheme in NSW only applies to individual licences — if you own a real estate business, it will need to obtain the relevant registration in NSW before it can begin operations.
Real estate professions that are included in the NSW AMR scheme include:
- Conveyancers
- Real Estate Assistants
- Auctioneers
- Real Estate Agent Class 1 & 2
- Strata Management Assistants
- Strat Management Agents Agents Class 1 & 2
AMR notifications must be made to NSW Fair Trading, and licence holders must meet public protection requirements (PPR).
Victoria
In Victoria, conveyancers and estate agents who hold licences from New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory can work under AMR.
Individuals must submit an AMR notification to the Business Licensing Authority before commencing work.
Western Australia
Auctioneers, conveyancers, real estate and business agents, and sales representatives can work in Western Australia under AMR.
To start working in WA, interstate licence holders must submit an AMR notification to the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation, and Safety.
South Australia
Valid interstate licences for auctioneers, conveyancers, property managers, and real estate sales representatives are covered under AMR in South Australia.
AMR workers must notify Consumer and Business Services (CBS) before commencing any work in SA. However, if the worker’s primary place of residence changes to a location within SA, they must obtain an SA registration to continue working.
Tasmania
Property agents who are eligible to work in Tasmania under AMR must submit a Notice of Intention to the Property Agents Board of Tasmania. Individuals must also fulfil specific Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements within 12-24 months of submitting AMR notice to continue working in Tasmania.
Australian Capital Territory
To work in the ACT with an interstate real estate, business, or stock and station agent licence, individuals must meet the Public Protection Requirements (PPR) and notify Access Canberra of the intention to do so.
Northern Territory
AMR allows interstate licensed property agents to work in the Northern Territory. A notification must be made to the relevant authority of the intent to practice in the NT under an interstate licence.
Which state should you get a real estate licence in?
Ideally, all real estate professionals should obtain a real estate licence from their home state. Even under AMR, there are certain limitations for real estate activities that can be carried out in each state, depending on the level of recognition of the real estate licence held.
Getting the highest real estate qualifications for your line of work (sales, auctions, property management), will ensure that you are well prepared to continue working as a real estate professional no matter where you are in Australia.
