13 December 2023
NSW property agents and managers are being warned to only consider trusted, quality focussed and registered training organisations (RTOs) for professional development and licensing requirements or risk their qualifications being challenged.
The approval of agent licenses, including real estate and strata management, may be impacted when an Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) audit into RTOs is completed in the coming months.
The nation-wide investigation is cracking down on organisations offering poor enrolment, industry training and assessment to graduates and may lead to providers being de-registered.
It will also investigate if RTOs are misleading graduates into believing the qualifications offered may ‘fast track’ them to obtaining a NSW Fair Trading agent licence.
NSW Fair Trading Commissioner, Natasha Mann, and NSW Strata and Property Services Commissioner John Minns provided intelligence, alongside other industry leaders and reputable providers, of poor-quality education; leading to the audit.
The people of NSW rely on expert and high skilled agents for property sales, management, business broking and strata services.
NSW Fair Trading is committed to working with experts and fellow agencies to better protect consumers and maintain a high standard of industry quality.
More information on licence requirements and RTOs, visit the Fair Trading website here.
Quotes to be attributed to NSW Fair Trading Commissioner, Natasha Mann
“Consumers, regulators and industry leaders expect to work with trusted and highly skilled professionals.
“We will be watching the results of the ASQA audit very closely. These organisations have an obligation to provide high quality education to students.
“Providers found to have poor professional practice can expect a review of their status in NSW.”
Quotes to be attributed to Strata and Property Services Commissioner, John Minns
“If a training provider is promising quick qualifications at a low cost, they are highly unlikely to deliver the skills needed to be a professional agent.
“Organisations with unacceptable training standards compromise the trust and integrity of the industry.
“We will continue to proactively improve the property and management industry to give consumers confidence they are dealing with experienced professionals.”
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