Before engaging a buyer’s agent, verify the relevant person and business through the regulator for the place where the property is located. A profile badge, membership or interstate office address is not the same as checking the applicable authorisation.
Ask for identifying details
Request the full legal name, business name and relevant licence or registration number. Clarify who signs your agreement and who performs the work. Similar trading names can make a casual name search unreliable, so compare the record carefully with the proposed engagement.
Use official state services
For NSW, start with the government’s property-agent licence-check guidance and Verify NSW. Queensland provides a public property-licence register. South Australia offers an occupational licence-check service, and WA Consumer Protection publishes buyer-agent guidance. For Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT and Northern Territory, use the current official property-industry regulator’s licence or registration service.
Practical rule: record the evidence behind each option before you compare it. A consistent written process makes the final decision easier to explain and revisit.
Read the result, not just the name
Where the register provides them, inspect status, expiry, conditions, authorised work and disciplinary information. A match is the beginning of the check. If a category or restriction is unclear, ask the regulator whether the proposed person and business may perform your requested service.
Keep a dated record
Save the result and date with your engagement documents, then ask the agency to clarify any discrepancy before signing. Check again if the assigned person or contracting entity changes. Licensing information does not replace assessing experience, fees, references and service scope.
Your practical checklist
- ✓Match legal names and numbers.
- ✓Check authorisation for the relevant jurisdiction.
- ✓Resolve restrictions or discrepancies before signing.
What to record before you decide
| Decision point | What to keep |
|---|---|
| Ask for identifying details | Record the facts, documents and questions relevant to this step before moving on. |
| Use official state services | Record the facts, documents and questions relevant to this step before moving on. |
| Read the result, not just the name | Record the facts, documents and questions relevant to this step before moving on. |
| Keep a dated record | Record the facts, documents and questions relevant to this step before moving on. |
Frequently asked question
Does industry membership replace a licence check?
No. Assess membership and regulatory authorisation separately, and use the official register for the latter.
