Diploma of Property

The Diploma of Property is a one-year qualification for people who want to work in real estate, property management or related fields in Australia. It covers the practical side of the industry: property law and ethics, listing and selling, leasing and tenancy management, trust accounting, and how to appraise residential and commercial property. You also look at the regulations that govern agents, including licensing requirements in New South Wales, and the day-to-day compliance work that comes with handling other people's money and keys.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas sit at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework, below a bachelor degree but above a certificate IV. This one is delivered over one year of full-time study, usually across two or three study periods depending on the provider. You complete a set of units of study, each with a credit point value, and the total credit points make up the qualification. Assessment is generally a mix of written tasks, case studies, role plays and practical simulations rather than a single final exam. Some providers include a work placement or industry project where you spend time in an agency office, which counts towards your units.

What you learn

You learn how to prepare an agency agreement, market a property, run an open home, handle enquiries, and manage a tenancy from signing to bond lodgement and final inspection. Trust accounting is a big part, you practise keeping records that satisfy the auditor. You also cover dispute resolution, landlord and tenant rights, and the codes of conduct that apply when you're licensed. By the end, you should be able to step into an agency and handle a small rent roll or assist on sales with supervision.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a fast route into the property industry, career changers moving from hospitality, retail or administration, and people already working in real estate who need the formal qualification to get or keep a licence. It also works as a pathway: some students use it to gain credit towards a bachelor degree in property, business or real estate. International students should check the English requirement, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for courses at this level, though the Student visa has its own separate English threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs. While studying, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After graduating, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia for a period. Confirm all details, including tuition and exact intake dates, on the official CRICOS register and the provider's page.

• Real estate sales representative, working under a licensed agent to list and sell residential property.
• Property manager, managing rental properties, liaising with landlords and tenants, handling repairs and inspections.
• Assistant property manager, supporting a senior manager with administration, lease renewals and arrears follow-up.
• Leasing consultant, running open homes, processing applications and signing tenancy agreements.
• Buyer's agent, representing purchasers in property searches and negotiations.
• Trust accounts clerk, maintaining agency trust records and preparing reconciliations.
• Commercial property officer, assisting with leasing and management of retail, office or industrial sites.
• Strata assistant, helping owners corporations with by-laws, maintenance and records.

These roles are found in real estate agencies, property management firms, strata management companies, buyer's agencies, and the property departments of banks, developers and government bodies across Australia.