On this page:
Before you start your application
Eligibility
To be eligible for a licence, the company must have an officer in effective control who holds a current individual estate agent’s licence in Victoria.
An officer in effective control:
- works at the principal office address of the company
- must be regularly at that office
- is fully accountable for the overall day-to-day operations of the estate agency at all offices where the company carries on business
- does not need to be a director of the company.
A company can appoint only one person to act as the officer in effective control.
Ineligibility
The company is automatically ineligible to be licensed if:
- the company is under external administration; or
- the company or any of its directors is currently disqualified from holding an estate agent's licence (or equivalent) anywhere in Australia or elsewhere, or the subject of an order by any regulatory body disqualifying it/them from acting as an estate agent or equivalent; or
- any of the company's directors is a represented person under the Guardianship and Administration Act 1986 (where a guardian or administrator has been appointed).
The company may also be ineligible if it or any of its directors:
- within the last 10 years, has been convicted or found guilty of a disqualifying offence involving fraud, dishonesty, drug trafficking or violence punishable by 3 months or more in prison. For information about spent convictions, view Spent convictions
- has ever had a claim admitted against the Victorian Property Fund or Estate Agents' Guarantee Fund.
Permission
For disqualifying criminal offences and claims against the Victorian Property Fund or Estate Agents' Guarantee Fund you may still be granted a licence if you apply for permission. For more information, view:
Fees
The application fee for 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 is $441.90 for the company plus $301.10 for each director.
The application fees must be paid at the time of application. The fees are non-refundable.
Records checks
You must submit a consent form and certified copies of the required identity documents as part of your application. For more information, view Records checks.
The correct documents, properly certified, will help your application avoid delays.
The BLA will conduct checks with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and other agencies to verify your eligibility to hold a licence. Any disputes about the accuracy of the results of the checks will be referred to the ACIC.
Providing incorrect information
It is a serious offence for a person to knowingly make a false or misleading statement in relation to a licence application. Significant fines apply.
Unlicensed trading
Unlicensed estate agents are liable for significant fines.
How to apply
You must use our online myCAV system to apply for an estate agent’s company licence.
To start using myCAV, you will need to create your own myCAV account, using a personal email address to verify your identity and sign in to your account.
Complete and lodge your application in myCAV:
Start application
For more information, view About myCAV.
Additional documents required with the application
Each director and officer in effective control must attach the following additional documents to the application in myCAV:
After you lodge your application
Processing time
To avoid delays, please complete the application correctly in myCAV and attach all necessary documents. The average processing time last quarter was 23 days.
You must not conduct business as an estate agent unless the BLA grants you a licence.
Additional information
When considering your application, the BLA may require you to provide further information. Communications such as requests for further information will be sent to you in myCAV. Please check the 'Notifications' in your myCAV account.
The BLA may refuse your application if you do not provide this within a reasonable timeframe.
Change of information
If any change occurs in the information you have provided in your licence application, you must notify the BLA in writing using the BLA enquiry form within 14 days of becoming aware of the change.
Sharing your information
The BLA gives your information to:
- Consumer Affairs Victoria
- other law enforcement and regulatory bodies.
These organisations may report any relevant information to the BLA.
For privacy information, view Information and privacy - Business Licensing Authority.
Withdrawing your application
You can withdraw your application in writing using the BLA enquiry form at any time before it has been determined by the BLA. Please note that the fee is non-refundable.
Refusal of application
If your application is not successful, you will be notified via myCAV. You can appeal the decision by applying to VCAT within 28 days of the decision.
Successful application
If your application is successful, you will be granted an estate agent's licence which is ongoing unless surrendered, suspended, disqualified or cancelled. You can view and print a copy of your licence certificate in your myCAV account.
Once you are licensed, you should familiarise yourself with your ongoing obligations and licensing requirements.
Conditions on a licence
The BLA may impose conditions:
- which must be complied with before the BLA grants a licence
- on granting a licence
- at any time after a licence is granted.
The BLA may also vary or revoke any conditions or restrictions imposed on a licence at any time.