HomeCoursesProperty and real estate

Property and real estate courses

Want to work in property? A certificate gets you into real estate or strata management in under a year, while a diploma prepares you to run an agency. Here's what each course leads to, how long it takes and what it costs.

Where do you want to study?

Quickest way to start: 4 months; Certificate IV, full time at TAFE NSW
TAFE cost from: $1,960; subsidised Certificate IV, TAFE NSW
What the jobs pay: $64,500 to $124,800; median pay across 7 jobs, some estimated

Which course do you need?

It depends on the job you want.

Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice
Work as a real estate agent
Sell and lease property, manage rentals, and work with vendors, buyers, landlords and tenants.
JobReal Estate Agent
Median pay$78,200
How long it takes
4 to 18 months full time at TAFE NSW
What it costs
$1,960 at TAFE NSW if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $8,670 full fee
How you'll study
Online or on campus
See the Certificate IV and where to study it
Certificate IV in Strata Community Management
Manage strata buildings
Run owners' meetings, budgets, insurance and repairs for strata and community schemes.
JobStrata Manager
Median pay$90,000 (estimate)
How long it takes
Typically 6 to 24 months
See the Certificate IV and where to study it
Diploma of Property (Agency Management)
Run a real estate agency
Lead an agency's team, keep it compliant with property law and manage trust accounts and finances.
JobReal Estate Agency Principal
Median pay$124,800 (estimate)
How long it takes
Typically 1 to 2 years
See the Diploma and where to study it

You don't have to do it all at once

You can start with a Certificate IV, work in an agency, then study the diploma when you want to run the business.

Get your Certificate IVMost people complete the Certificate IV in real estate practice before they start selling or managing property.
Work in an agencyBuild experience as an agent, property manager or buyer's agent, and learn how a rent roll and a sales campaign run.
Study the diplomaThe Diploma of Property (Agency Management) covers leading a team, trust accounts and running the business side of an agency.

How much it costs at TAFE

If you're eligible for a government-subsidised place, you pay much less than the full fee, and in some states these courses can be free. Here's what each TAFE lists.

TAFE	State	Certificate IV
TAFE	State	Subsidised	Full fee
TAFE NSW	NSW	$1,960	$8,670
Chisholm Institute	VIC	Not listed	$6,563

TAFE NSWNSW
Certificate IV
$1,960 subsidised
$8,670 full fee
Chisholm InstituteVIC
Certificate IV
Not listed
$6,563 full fee

Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, checked 20 September 2026. “Not listed” means the TAFE doesn't show that fee online. Private colleges set their own fees.

Other university courses

Other certificates and diplomas

Diploma of Facilities ManagementFor people who want to manage the buildings and services an organisation uses day to day.

Jobs you can do with this study

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.

“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.

Still not sure which one fits you?

Answer a few quick questions about your time, state and budget, and we'll show the courses that suit you.

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Retail courses

Which course do you need?

Work as a real estate agent

Manage strata buildings

Run a real estate agency