Changes to the Property and Stock Agents Act 2002 will enable registration extensions for many assistant agents in real estate, stock and station and strata management.
The NSW Government has offered more than 14,000 assistant agents the opportunity to apply for a 12-month extension of their certificates of registration.
This one-off extension is designed to keep assistant agents working and prevent disruption in the industry, while maintaining the professional pathway for them to become fully qualified and licensed.
In March 2020, reforms to the Property and Stock Agents Act 2002 placed over 22,000 assistant agents on a four-year certificate due to expire on 22 March 2024.
Previously, assistant agents could not renew their certificates and would have to wait 12 months before re-applying for a new certificate if they could not qualify for a class 2 agent licence within the four-year term.
From 1 March and 22 June 2024, assistant agents with a certificate expiring on 22 March 2024 can apply for a one-off extension of their certificate online.
Applicants must be enrolled in Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice (CPP41419) or Certificate IV in Strata Community Management (CPP40516 or CPP40521), and pay an application fee of $100.
Eligible assistant agents will receive an extension notice via email from NSW Fair Trading before the expiry of their certificate, with information on how to apply for the registration extension online.
Statement of Regulatory Intent
Eligible certificate holders with a certificate expiring on 22 March 2024 will be covered by a Statement of Regulatory Intent, which ensures they are protected from enforcement action or prosecution for operating under their original certificate until 23 June 2024 or they receive their certificate extension, whichever occurs first.
These certificate holders can:
- continue to work using their original certificate, including any conditions, for the period covered by the Statement of Regulatory Intent or until they receive an extension of their certificate
- continue to work using their original certificate for the abovementioned period even though their certificate will appear as expired on the Public Register until they receive an extension of their certificate.
Penalties for unlicensed work
Assistant agents who fail to meet the 22 June 2024 deadline to extend their certificates and continue to work without a certificate could face fines.
Licensees in charge and employers who oversee and manage assistant agents should help them to upskill before their certificates expire or apply for the 12-month extension. If they are employing someone without this registration, they could also face fines.
Agents are warned against cutting corners or considering short cuts to complete training by 22 March 2024.
More information
Visit the Assistant agents – certificate of registration extension page for more information.