Is Your Buyer’s Agent Licensed? REIWA Shares What Buyers Need to Know
The popularity of buyer’s agents is booming across WA and Australia. More buyers are seeking help navigating a tight, competitive market — and it makes sense. A great buyer’s agent can save you money, stress, and time.
According to REIWA President Suzanne Brown, there’s a serious risk buyers need to be aware of. She said “If you engage the services of a buyer’s agent, you would assume you are dealing with a qualified licensed professional who is regulated by Western Australia’s Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety – Consumer Protection, as sales agents are.”
That warning should give every buyer pause.
With new operators popping up fast, some are calling themselves buyer’s agents without the licence to back it up. If you’re not careful, you could end up unprotected and misled — right when you need expert help the most.
Why Licensing and Qualifications Matter
In WA, only licensed agents or their registered team members can handle property negotiations and be paid for it.
That matters because it gives you confidence you’re dealing with someone trained and authorised to act on your behalf.
But REIWA has pointed out that some people are charging for buyer’s agent services without the right licence. That’s not just risky — it’s against the law.
These operators might look the part, but without a licence they can’t properly represent you when it counts.
What REIWA Says: A Wake-Up Call for Buyers
REIWA — WA’s peak real estate body — is warning consumers to be cautious.
Ms Brown also said “We are concerned about the risk to buyers of working with unlicensed buyer’s agents and have raised this issue with Consumer Protection.”
The takeaway? If your agent isn’t licensed or working as a registered sales representative under a licensed agent, they can’t lawfully represent you in a property purchase.
How to Check If Your Buyer’s Agent Is Legit
A few simple questions can save you from costly mistakes:
- What is your real estate licence number?
- Are you a REIWA member?
- Are your team members registered sales representatives?
- Did they complete the two years of required experience under a licensed agent before getting their own licence?
You don’t need to know the fine print — just ask these questions. And if you want to double-check, you can do that easily here.
Being a REIWA member also gives you more peace of mind, because members must meet professional standards on top of licensing laws.
Things That Can and Have Gone Wrong
Property Wizards has seen cases where unlicensed operators became involved in deals, and the buyers ended up worse off. In some instances, those buyers were even offered compensation in exchange for keeping quiet once things went wrong.
Licensed agents also have a duty of care towards you. They are expected to put your interests first when they represent you — something unlicensed operators simply can’t be held to. You can read more about this duty here.
The Property Wizards Difference
At Property Wizards, we’ve built our reputation over more than 21 years helping property buyers achieve outstanding results — the right way.
Here’s what sets our team apart:
- Fully licensed real estate agency and REIWA member
- Over $500 million in property purchases secured for our clients
- REIWA’s Top Buyer’s Agent winner six times in a row
- REIA’s National Buyer’s Agent of the Year twice
- REIWA Buyer’s Agent Hall of Fame inductee
Our team doesn’t just claim to be professional — we’re recognised across the industry for doing it right.
When you work with Property Wizards, you know you’re working with a licensed, highly experienced team focused solely on your goals.
Final Thought: The Right Choice Could Be the Best Investment You Make
When it comes to finding the right property, the agent you choose makes all the difference. Ask the right questions, look for the right credentials, and make sure you’re in safe hands.
There are standout buyer’s agents out there — and Property Wizards is proud to be among them.
If you’re ready to take the next step with expert help on your side, we’re here to chat.
- 👉 Book a no-obligation strategy session with Property Wizards
- Or, head over to our Contact Us page or fill in our Getting Started Form to take the first step.
Source: Is your buyer’s agent qualified and licensed? – The West Australian / REIWA
________________________________________________________________________
Established in 2004, Property Wizards works with local, interstate and overseas home and investment buyers seeking to buy property in the greater Perth metropolitan area. Property Wizards takes away the stress of buying property and saves you time and money. Regardless of market conditions, our research, knowledge, and access to silent sales means we find and negotiate properties with potential to outperform the market in capital growth and rental returns. Importantly, we provide home buyers and property investors with the same level of representation that property sellers have benefited from for years.
