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Before starting your application
Eligibility
If you have held a Victorian estate agent's licence within the last five years, you do not have to meet the requirements for work experience as an agent’s representative or the prescribed education requirements in the Estate Agents (Education) Regulations 2020.
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 Apply for an estate agent’s licence - company.
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
You must attach the following documents to your application in myCAV if you cannot complete online 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 four to six weeks.
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.
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 - BLA.
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 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.