Herald Sun - Agent training required

Date: 26 May 19

VICTORIA is at risk of falling behind in training for real estate agents, a peak property group warns.

Agents can currently be on the job under supervision after just a five-day representatives' course, but a new "national curriculum" aimed at lifting standards is to be introduced across the country next year.

The Real Estate Institute of Victoria used its Budget submission to call on the Andrews Government to prioritise better training.

Chief executive Gil King said the state risked falling behind because it was not prepared to roll out the training.

"The reality is that the rest of the country is moving towards the March date," he said.

"It is no secret that the real estate industry rates poorly among respected professions and it's something we've battled all along, that it is a reputable profession. If we are dumbing down the standard, we get the lower end of people coming in."

Consumer Affairs Victoria said the state was amending its legislation to "ensure national consistency". The REIV has also called for the government to reduce its reliance on property taxes and to increase the payroll tax threshold from $650,000 to $850,000. 

See the original article on Sunday Herald Sun below.

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