As we are well and truly into the new CPD year which started on the 1st July 2025, it is crucial for real estate professionals to understand the changes around CPD requirements and how they affect them.

NSW fair trading recently released their updated standards along with the enhancements to CPD requirements for licensed real estate agents, both Class 1 and Class 2. The reforms aim to elevate industry professionalism, ensure legal compliance, and better equip agents to navigate evolving regulatory landscapes.

The first notable change is that online/self paced training will not be offered as an option for CPD completion in this current year and all training must be completed in an interactive or face to face learning environment. The number of attendees remains unchanged at 40 in a face to face setting and 25 in an interactive webinar format.

Under the updated framework, Class 1 and Class 2 agents are now required to complete a greater number of CPD hours, with the exact amount determined by their area of practice.

• Residential real estate salespeople, buyers’ agents, and property managers must complete a minimum of seven hours of interactive, compulsory training annually, reflecting the increasing complexity and regulatory focus in this sector. This includes a compulsory 3 hour topic on the residential tenancies reforms that can only be delivered by a select number of approved providers and must be completed in a face to face environment only.

• Commercial agents and business brokers are required to undertake five hours of compulsory CPD, ensuring they remain across key compliance and industry developments.

• Short-term rental property managers and strata managing agents must complete between four and five hours of CPD, depending on their licence category.

• These tailored requirements recognise the diverse roles within the property industry and ensure all licensed agents remain competent, compliant, and aligned with professional standards.

In addition to the above requirements, all Class 1 licensed agents must attend a minimum of five hours at a NSW Fair Trading–accredited event

These reforms reflect NSW Fair Trading’s commitment to raising professional standards across the property sector by:

• Increasing accountability through stricter training requirements.

• Ensuring face-to-face or real-time interactive learning, enhancing retention and competency.

• Strengthening supervisory roles within agencies via mandated training plans.

Licensees‑in‑Charge must continue to integrate CPD training plans into their supervision frameworks, detailing each agent’s training obligations.