On this page:
Before starting your application
Eligibility
You may be eligible to apply for a Victorian estate agent's licence if you hold or have previously held an equivalent licence overseas. You will need to:
- provide copies of the equivalent licensing or registration documents
- outline the duties you perform or performed
- satisfy the Business Licensing Authority (BLA) that you have adequate knowledge of Victorian estate agency law, practice and procedure, including accounting.
Generally, there are two ways you may satisfy the BLA that you have adequate knowledge:
1. Confirm you have completed specific units from the current or previous courses prescribed under the Victorian Estate Agent (Education) Regulations 2020
Current course
11 units of competency from the Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice (CPP41419):
- CPPREP4001 – Prepare for professional practice in real estate
- CPPREP4002 – Access and interpret ethical practice in real estate
- CPPREP4003 – Access and interpret legislation in real estate
- CPPREP4005 – Prepare to work with real estate trust accounts
- CPPREP4103 – Establish vendor relationships
- CPPREP4104 – Establish buyer relationships
- CPPREP4105 – Sell property
- CPPREP4121 – Establish landlord relationships
- CPPREP4122 – Manage tenant relationships
- CPPREP4124 - End tenancy
- CPPREP4125 – Transact in trust accounts
and
- one unit of competency from the Diploma of Property (Agency Management):
- CPPREP5002 - Establish and monitor property industry trust account management practices
Please note, the course units must be taught in accordance with Victorian estate agency law, practice and procedure.
Previous course
Applicants need to have completed the following 6 units of competency from the previous Certificate IV in Property Services (Real Estate) CPP40307:
- CPPDSM4080A Work in the real estate industry (agent's representative unit)
- CPPDSM4008A Identify legal and ethical requirements of property sales to complete agency work (agent's representative unit)
- CPPDSM4007A Identify legal and ethical requirements of property management to complete agency work (agent's representative unit)
- CPPDSM4006A Establish and manage agency trust accounts
- CPPDSM4022A Sell and finalise the sale of property by private treaty
- CPPDSM4005A Establish and build client–agency relationships.
These units must be taught in accordance with Victorian estate agency law, practice and procedure.
Previously available courses
These remain valid qualifications to meet the prescribed educational requirements.
Course in Property (Agents' Representatives) plus the following four units from the Certificate IV in Property (Real Estate Agency Practice):
- PRDRE28A Maintain trust accounts
- PRDRE15A Undertake property sales by private treaty
- PRDRE16A Monitor sales process
- PRDRE23A Maintain agency/client relationship.
or
Course in Real Estate for Agents' Representatives plus the following three units from the Certificate IV in Business (Estate Agency Practice):
- ABH504 Real estate accounting
- ABH511 Property law (units 3 and 4 only)
- ABH522 Contracts for the sale of land.
2. Prepare a detailed submission in which you aim to satisfy the BLA that you have adequate knowledge as above
The submission should include:
- academic study relevant to each of the knowledge areas
- any other material you believe would help the BLA to assess your knowledge; for example, if you have been employed by a Victorian estate agent, a statutory declaration from your employer outlining their understanding of the nature and extent of your knowledge of Victorian estate agency law, practice and procedure, including accounting.
Anyone providing a statutory declaration on your behalf should address each of the knowledge areas required. You should inform them you are making an application under section 14(3) of the Estate Agents Act 1980 for an estate agent's licence, rather than obtaining qualifications specified under section 14(1) of the Act. It will help the process if they can demonstrate they are aware of this in the statutory declaration.
Ineligibility
You are automatically ineligible to be licensed if you are:
- under 18 years of age; or
- a represented person under the Guardianship and Administration Act 1986 (where a guardian or administrator has been appointed); or
- as an individual or as a director or officer of a company, 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 you or the company from acting as an estate agent or equivalent.
You may also be ineligible if:
- you are currently insolvent under administration (bankrupt, debt agreements under Part IX or Part X)
- within the last 10 years, you have 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
- you have ever had a claim admitted against you from the Victorian Property Fund or Estate Agents' Guarantee Fund.
Permission
For bankruptcy, 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 $415.10.
The application fee must be paid at the time of application. The fee is non-refundable.
Records checks
You must provide proof of your identity as part of your application.
You may be able to do this by verifying your identity online. For more information, view
Identity verification.
If you can’t complete online identity verification, you must submit certified copies of four identity documents and a signed consent form with your myCAV application. The correct documents, properly certified, will help your application avoid delays. For more information, view
Records checks.
The
Business Licensing Authority (BLA) will conduct checks with the
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), and other agencies to verify the information provided in the application. Any disputes about the accuracy of the results of the checks will be referred to 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.
If you intend to operate through a company, that company must also be licensed. View our Apply for an estate agent’s licence - company page.
How to apply
You must use our online myCAV system to apply for recognition of an overseas estate agent’s 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 our About myCAV page.
Additional documents required with the application
You must attach the following documents to your application in myCAV:
- Copies of your equivalent licence or registration documents.
- Detailed submissions outlining the duties you performed, and how you are able to satisfy the BLA that you have adequate knowledge of Victorian estate agency law, practice and procedure, including accounting.
- If you cannot complete online identity verification:
After you lodge your application
Processing time
To avoid delays, please complete the application correctly in myCAV and attach all necessary documents.
If the form is completed correctly and all necessary documents are attached, the average processing time is approximately 6 weeks or longer in some circumstances.
You must not conduct business as an estate agent unless the Business Licensing Authority 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.
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 our Information and privacy - Business Licensing Authority page.
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 the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (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.