No. In Australia, mortgage brokers do not need to hold a real estate licence or any property-specific credential to refer clients to a licensed buyer’s agent. The broker’s role in such an arrangement is limited to making an introduction — they are not providing property advice, conducting property searches, or representing the buyer in a property transaction.
All property-related activities, including strategy, market analysis, inspections, due diligence, and negotiation, are performed by the licensed buyer’s agent. The broker’s regulatory obligations under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act relate specifically to credit services — these are not triggered by a property referral.
However, brokers should:
– Ensure the referral arrangement is documented in a written agreement with the buyer’s agency
– Disclose the existence of a referral fee to their client (in their credit guide or separately)
– Check their aggregator’s policy on external referral arrangements, as some aggregators require pre-approval for third-party referral agreements
– Confirm the buyer’s agent holds a valid real estate licence and relevant accreditations (REBAA, PIPA/QPIA) before referring clients
Some aggregators have preferred buyer’s agency panels. Where no panel exists, brokers should conduct their own due diligence on the buyer’s agency before entering a referral arrangement.
