Apply for an auctioneer licence (real property)

You must have a current licence to work as an auctioneer of real property. To get a licence, you will need to complete an application for an individual's licence.

Authorised activities

An auctioneer licence allows you to sell real property by auction. This includes attempting or offering to sell the property.

Real property includes:

• dwellings
• community title lots
• businesses
• vacant land.

It will also allow you to sell:

• other types of property by auction, but only if the property is connected to a real property auction (e.g. livestock as part of an auction for a farmhouse and rural land)
• the property by any means during the auction period.

You can work alone, with others or as an employee of:

• an auctioneer
• a real estate agent.

Please note: You don’t need a licence to run a charity auction if you don’t receive reward (payment) for it.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an auctioneer licence, you must:

• be 18 or older
• pass the required training courses.

Suitability

You are not suitable to hold a licence if you:

• are an insolvent under administration
• are currently disqualified from holding a licence or registration
• have been convicted of a serious offence within the past 5 years.

We also consider if you:

• have a criminal history
• have been an executive officer of a corporation (which was previously licensed) that has gone insolvent
• were the subject of a successful claim fund action
• have had your licence or registration certificate cancelled or you have been suspended from holding one
• have been previously disqualified from holding a licence or registration certificate
• are disqualified from being a company director
• have previously been an insolvent under administration
• are incapable of satisfactorily doing the job of a licensee
• are unsuitable because of your character or the character of your business associates
• are allowed to work in Australia.

Serious offences

A serious offence is anything punishable by 3 or more years in prison including:

• violent offences (including threats to use violence)
• fraud and dishonesty
• drug trafficking
• extortion
• arson
• unlawful stalking, intimidation, harassment or abuse
• offences of a sexual nature.

Receivership or liquidation

You must tell us if you have ever been an executive officer of a corporation that:

• was previously licensed
• has gone into receivership or liquidation.

You must also tell us:

• what circumstances caused it to happen
• whether you took all reasonable steps to avoid these circumstances
• what assets you had available to distribute
• how much money (if any) you paid in dividends
• whether you broke any laws relating to these circumstances
• whether you are disqualified from being a company director or other officer.

You must also include a report from the receiver or liquidator that gives us:

• a detailed list of your creditors
• the amount of money you still owe to each creditor.

Non-citizens

If you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you need to:

• give us a certified copy of your passport
• have a visa that allows you to work in Australia.

Lodgement

When you lodge the form, you will need to attach formal identification. These documents must be original (if you lodge the form in person) or certified copies.

Your identification must be a certified copy of any of the following documents:

• Birth certificate or extract
• Driver licence
• Passport
• Citizenship certificate

You will need to pay the required fees when you lodge your application.

You will also need to attach proof of qualifications.

Places of business

You may have multiple places of business. You must register all of your business addresses when you apply for a licence. The person in charge at each place of business must hold a current individual licence.

Find out more about places of business.

Criminal history check

To confirm your suitability, we will submit your application for a criminal history check. This will be thorough and may be time consuming.

If you were born in New Zealand or have a New Zealand passport, you need to get a copy of your criminal history or a letter indicating you have no criminal history from New Zealand. For more information, visit the New Zealand Ministry of Justice website.

We can only accept original documents dated within one month of the date you send them to us. Please note, it can take up to 20 working days to process a request for a New Zealand criminal history check. There is no fee payable for you to get a New Zealand criminal history check.

Processing time

The processing time is 4–6 weeks. This can take longer if your application is not complete. This might be because of:

• missing information
• unpaid fees.

We will contact you if you submitted an incomplete application. You will need to complete the application before we can proceed. Otherwise, we may withdraw your application.

Refunds

Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to a partial refund if:

• you withdraw your application
• we refuse your application.

You may also get a refund on the fee for your criminal history check if it hasn’t been started yet.

Training

You must have successfully completed or been assessed as competent in the required subjects. These subjects are taken from the following industry-recognised training package:

• Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice (CPP31319)
• Diploma of Property (Agency Management) (CPP51122).

Find a training provider in Queensland.

Course code	Name of course
CPPREP4001	Prepare for professional practice in real estate
CPPREP4002	Access and interpret ethical practice in real estate
CPPREP4003	Access and interpret legislation in real estate
CPPREP4004	Establish marketing and communication profiles in real estate
CPPREP4005	Prepare to work with real estate trust accounts
CPPREP4161	Undertake pre-auction processes
CPPREP4162	Conduct and complete sale by auction
CPPREP4163	Complete post-auction process and contract execution
CPPREP4125	Transact in trust accounts
CPPREP5006	Manage operational finances in the property industry