Lucrative earnings, flexible schedules, and the opportunity to make valuable connections are some of the most attractive draw cards of working as a real estate agent in Australia. For younger individuals taking a first step into the workforce, choosing a career as a real estate agent offers a desirable lifestyle.
So, what is the minimum age for starting in the property industry? And does starting earlier set you up for success?
What age can you register as a real estate agent?
All states and territories in Australia require prospective real agents to be at least 18 years old to register for a real estate licence.
While the minimum age requirement to register as a real estate agent is 18, educational requirements specific to each state and territory must also be met to be eligible for real estate registration.
However, most real estate courses generally recommend that individuals be at least 18 years old to enrol and study, due to the depth of understanding required for the study material. Individuals may be able to obtain a real estate licence around the age of 18, depending on how quickly they can complete the required courses.
However, registering as a real estate agent is only one part of working in Australia’s property market. Networking, experience, on-the-job learning, and market research are also essential aspects of being a real estate agent.
Does age affect your chances of being a successful real estate agent?
Like with any industry, age plays a part in the level of success of a real estate career.
For context, the average age for real estate agents in Australia is 43. Considering that the average agent has about 25 more years of experience compared to individuals who join the industry at 18, young agents have a lot to learn.
In addition to this gap in experience between newly minted and seasoned professionals, younger real estate agents also lack a strong network of clients and peers.
Experience does come with age, but there are real-life instances of young real estate agents finding great success in their careers. Newscorp’s national data investigation in 2024 revealed that real estate agents in their 20s sold more than $70m worth of homes in 12 months.
This data serves as a testament to the potential for success at a young age in the real estate industry and proves that age is not a barrier to success. It’s not impossible to be a successful real estate agent at a young age, especially for those with a passion for the work.
As a young real estate agent, it’s important to realise that age is not the primary factor affecting the potential for success. Clients and colleagues look for confidence and expertise rather than age. A young real estate agent who is proactive and communicates well is more likely to impress compared to a senior real estate agent who doesn’t look after their clients.
How to become a real estate agent at a young age
Obtaining real estate registration at 18 starts with getting the right qualifications, skills, and knowledge to kickstart a real estate career.
Learn with a real estate traineeships
Real estate traineeships are work-study arrangements that provide both practical experience and formal training through a registered training organisation like Entry Education. Ideal for young individuals looking to work in real estate, traineeships are the most effective way to obtain the qualifications required while developing the skills to succeed in the long term.
Study independently for real estate certification
Aspiring real estate agents can also enrol independently in a real estate course to obtain the necessary qualifications for registration. Here are the real estate agent study requirements for each state:
- New South Wales: Complete the Assistant Agent Course to start working in real estate — you can apply for the assistant agent certificate of registration as soon as you are 16 years of age. Following that, completing the Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice (CP41419) course will enable you to register as a real estate agent.
- Queensland: Complete the Real Estate Sales Person Registration course and register as a real estate agent at the age of 18.
- Victoria: Complete the Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice (CPP41419) course and register as a real estate agent at the age of 18.
- Western Australia: Complete the CPP41419 Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice WA course to register as a real estate agent at 18 years old.
- South Australia: Complete the Sales Representative Certificate course to obtain Sales Representative Registration and work as a sales agent.
- Australian Capital Territory: Complete the Assistant Agent course to work as an assistant agent or complete the CPP41419 Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice course to register as a real estate agent in Canberra. The age requirement for either registration is 18 years old.
