Property management services are the backbone of the rental market in Australia. As of April 2026, there are over 4,700 property management companies in Australia, with over 70% of companies operated by a single property manager.
Property managers are one of the highest-paid jobs in real estate due to the extensive range of services provided for property owners; from meeting legislative requirements to negotiating rental agreements with tenants.
What do property management services involve?
Property management services involve assisting property owners in overseeing, operating, and maintaining real estate assets.
A significant part of property management services covers renting or leasing out a residential or commercial property. A property manager carries out actions including:
- Creating a condition report to serve as a record of the state of the property
- Listing the property for rent on online platforms
- Carrying out advertising to attract potential tenants
- Screening tenant applications through rental history reviews and reference checks
- Drafting a compliant tenancy agreement and facilitating the signing process
- Collecting rent from tenants
- Managing maintenance and repair requisitions from tenants
Property management services also provide owner-investors with legal advice on current and changes to local property laws, and deliver financial reports on property investment returns.
Understanding property management service charges
Property management companies charge two main fees – a letting fee and a management fee.
Letting fees are the initial fees charged when a property is being listed for rent. The letting fee covers the process of listing the property and sourcing a new tenant. Property managers typically charge a fee equal to 1-2 weeks of rent. A letting fee is incurred each time the property needs a new tenant.
Management fees are recurring charges (typically bi-weekly or monthly) for the ongoing management of the property. Think of it like a retainer or subscription model, where property owners pay the property management company for ongoing services. Management fees are calculated as a percentage of the property’s gross weekly rent.
Each property management company sets its own letting and management fees.
Property management company structure
Property management companies can have over 100 members or consist of one property manager working independently.
Some of the largest property management companies in Australia, like Ray White and LJ Hooker, also offer other real estate services such as property sales and mortgage broking.
While bigger property management companies have a more extensive network of offices and staff compared to independent property managers, this does not necessarily mean that one is better than the other. For clients, there is a different appeal for working with a big or a boutique property management agency – larger agencies have more resources to handle more properties, while boutique agencies offer more personalised communication and advice.
For aspiring property managers, working in a big or small property management company can make a difference in the opportunities you have to learn on the job.
Starting a career in Property Management
There are many reasons to work as a property manager – with lucrative earnings and a flexible schedule being two of the highlights.
Property management qualifications vary across each state in Australia. The entry-level study requirements for working in property management are:
- New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory – Assistant Agent
- Victoria – CPP41419 Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice
- Queensland – Resident Letting Agent Licence
- Western Australia – Restricted Property Management Registration
- South Australia – Property Manager Registration (PMR)
Completing the required study with a licensed Registered Training Organisation (RTO) like Entry Education is the first step towards being able to open your own property management agency and work independently.
We have trainers with years of experience in the property management industry – learn from actual property managers and start your career in real estate with Entry Education.
