Property valuation firm Opteon has launched new national training pathways to bring more graduates and early-career professionals into residential and commercial valuation.
Australia has only about 5,200 property valuers, and almost one in 12 is aged 65 or over, roughly double the rate across all occupations. The challenge is particularly evident in regional and specialist markets, where experienced valuers can be harder to replace.
That workforce challenge comes as more property owners and investors seek valuation advice. Opteon recorded a 30% rise in enquiries in July following changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing, increasing demand at a time when the profession is already looking to bring through its next generation.
Melbourne, 23 October: Every mortgage settled in Australia, every family farm succession plan, every insurance claim on a damaged home, relies on the same thing: an independent, qualified property valuation. Yet the profession responsible for that work is shrinking just as the property market it values becomes more complex.
Recognised on the Australian Government's Core Skills Occupation List, property valuation is one of several professions facing workforce pressures as demand for specialist expertise continues to grow. Census data shows the profession numbers only around 5,200 people nationally, with almost one in twelve already aged 65 or over, roughly double the rate across all occupations. The gap is most acute in regional areas, where there are too few valuers to meet demand for rural and agribusiness property.
Addressing this challenge isn't simply about recruiting more valuers. It's about ensuring talented graduates and early-career professionals can see a clear future in the profession. By strengthening university engagement, supporting graduates and creating structured pathways into specialist valuation disciplines, Opteon - one of Australia’s largest property valuation firms across Australia and New Zealand - is helping build the next generation of experts needed to support Australia's property market.
Opteon is now launching new national training pathways designed for multiple streams of career growth:
- Residential Property Valuers (RPVs) through to Certified Practising Valuer (CPV) accreditation;
- Commercial Graduate to Certified Practicing Valuer (Commercial); and
- Graduate to Residential property Valuer (RPV).
Why this matters beyond the valuation industry
Homeowners, lenders and financial advisers rarely think about who is behind a property valuation, the valuer standing in the driveway with a tablet in hand or checking the figures behind a bank's lending decision. But that person's training shapes outcomes that affect each of them directly.
Australia's homes are worth around $12.7 trillion combined, and in the June quarter of 2026 that total fell for the first time in four years. About $2.5 trillion in mortgage debt sits against that stock. Banks rely on valuations to work out how much they can safely lend against a property, and most home loans behind on repayments are still considered safe because the property behind them is worth enough to cover the debt. That safety net only holds if the valuation was accurate to begin with, whether the market is rising or falling.
At the same time, the assets valuers are asked to assess are becoming more sophisticated and specialised. From build-to-rent developments and data centres to childcare facilities, institutional-grade agricultural assets and increasingly complex lending environments, today's property market demands deeper expertise and stronger technical capability. As lending, regulation and asset classes continue to evolve, so too must the professionals responsible for assessing value and risk.
"Property valuation sits behind some of the most important financial decisions Australians make, and the profession is being asked to assess increasingly complex assets with a workforce that hasn't grown at the same pace. Investing in the next generation of valuers is ultimately about supporting confidence for our clients, including homeowners, lenders and investors ," said Michael McNulty, National Director, Residential and Regional Valuation.
A structured pathway to success
Opteon's new programs builds a single, nationally consistent pathway into residential and commercial certification: online technical modules, competency assessment, mentored in-field training alongside experienced Certified Practising Valuers, and a structured route to accreditation through the Australian Property Institute. A parallel program creates a direct entry route for graduates moving straight into commercial valuation, and a self-paced bridging program supports residential valuers pursuing CPV accreditation.
"Talent exists in every corner of the country, but opportunity and training haven't always been consistent. This program provides a clear, nationally supported pathway that helps valuers build capability, gain practical experience and progress their careers with confidence," said Nicole Bevilacqua, Regional Director & National Improvement Lead.
What this means for the industry
The Australian Property Institute already requires rigorous, ongoing standards to hold CPV status, including a formal work sample review, panel interview and annual continuing professional development. One of the ongoing challenges across the profession has been creating clear and accessible pathways for valuers seeking to progress to CPV status, particularly in regional and specialist markets. Opteon's program is one response to that challenge. As the current workforce ages and property markets continue to evolve, structured development pathways will play an increasingly important role in supporting the profession's future capability.
Rather than waiting for the challenge to intensify, Opteon is investing now in the people, pathways and professional development needed to support the next generation of valuation experts. The program is the latest step in Opteon's broader commitment to strengthening industry capability, supporting customers, and helping ensure the profession remains equipped for the increasingly complex property decisions of the future.
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References
- Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, Core Skills Occupation List.
- Jobs and Skills Australia, occupation profile for Valuers (ANZSCO 224512), based on 2021 Census data.
- UTS Online, “How to Become a Property Valuer”, October 2025.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics, “Value of dwellings falls 0.3%”, media release, June quarter 2026 (released September 2026).
- Cotality, Monthly Housing Chart Pack, citing Cotality, RBA, APRA and ASX data.
- Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, Prudential Practice Guide APG 223, Residential Mortgage Lending.
- Reserve Bank of Australia, Financial Stability Review, March 2026.
- Property Council of Australia, citing BDO research, Australian Build to Rent report.
- Queensland Farmers' Federation, as reported by Queensland Country Life.
- Australian Property Institute, Certified Practising Valuer certification requirements.
This article is produced by Opteon Property Group Pty Ltd. It is intended to provide general information in summary form on valuation related topics, current at the time of first publication. The contents do not constitute advice and should not be relied upon as such. Formal advice should be sought in particular matters. Opteon's valuers are qualified, experienced and certified to provide market value valuations of your property. Opteon does not provide accounting, specialist tax or financial advice.
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