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“2 DAY” REAL ESTATE TRAINING SET TO SWEEP AUSTRALIA UNDER NEW CHANGES TO PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

Announcement posted by Perception Partners 29 Jun 2011

Federal and State Governments diluting real estate standards

“2 DAY” REAL ESTATE TRAINING SET TO SWEEP AUSTRALIA UNDER NEW CHANGES TO PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

Federal and State Governments diluting real estate standards

29 June 2011

The REINSW says the regulated low entry level training requirement already in place in NSW will be applied to other states, if proposed changes to national licensing standards are approved.

The peak body in NSW is warning its state counterparts that the ludicrous practice of “2 DAY” entry level professional training will sweep the nation, if the changes to the professional standards are introduced.

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) says it is developing a national licensing system across a range of licenced professions to remove inconsistencies between states and territories and to enhance consumer protection.

“What is really being proposed here is a significant attack on the profession’s training and education requirement in nearly every state in Australia”, said REINSW President Wayne Stewart.

Western Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania and South Australian all face a demonstrable reduction in the standard of learning from Diploma level to Certificate IV level. This will lower the professional standard.

“Why are they dragging everyone else down to a lower qualification level when it is clear that the consumer and agent all benefit from a higher standard of entry level training?

“Instead of enhancing consumer confidence, the proposed new system may actually undermine it.

“It is beyond belief that in NSW a person can achieve the regulated entry education requirement in 2 days.

“Yet this very practice, which the REINSW has steadfastly opposed in NSW, will be now permitted across Australia under these new changes placing agents and consumers at risk.

“There is an inherent lack on training in these “2 DAY” programs yet we are asking those who do them to advise consumers on complex property transactions and matters involving assets of significant value.

“This just sets people up to fail.

“And to make matters worse, COAG has also proposed no regulated or compulsory continued professional development requirement for the profession.

“That means the essential skills refresher, which has been a cornerstone of the agent’s lifelong professional development, will be simply abandoned.

“The REINSW calls on COAG to urgently review its proposed licensing changes and to put the interests of all consumers and agents in Australia first by enhancing, not eroding, skills and standards”, said Mr. Stewart.

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