News & Media

By Matthew Hughes
Managing Director, Capital Property Advisory
Board Director, Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA)

As someone who has worked in property advisory space for many years – both as a practitioner and as a Board Director of the Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA) – I was disappointed to see the recent decision by the WA Government to reduce the mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements for property industry professionals, effective January 2026.

We operate in an industry that is already under-regulated and, in many respects, has a worryingly low barrier to entry when it comes to education and qualifications. Now, rather than lifting standards, this latest change takes us a step backwards at a time when consumer expectations and financial risks have never been higher.

While the government’s consultation process may have found “widespread support” for simplifying CPD requirements from within the industry, it is clear to many of us who are focused on consumer outcomes that the move prioritises industry convenience over consumer protection.

In my view, the government should have taken this opportunity to strengthen CPD – not weaken it. It should be increasing the requirements for agents, particularly in specialised areas such as buyer’s agency, and investing in more targeted, high-quality education that helps raise the standard of advice and service across the board.

A buyer’s agency perspective

The rise in the prevalence of buyer’s agents across Australia has been largely driven by consumer demand for independent advice – but the regulatory framework has not kept pace.

Here in WA, there is no dedicated qualification required to call yourself a buyer’s agent.

While some of us voluntarily hold credentials such as Qualified Property Investment Adviser (QPIA®) designation, most do not. With the number of consumers turning to buyer’s agents continuing to grow, now is not the time to dilute CPD obligations – especially for those advising buyers on what are often the largest financial decisions of their lives.

At Capital Property Advisory, we strongly believe in lifting professional standards across the entire industry. We would welcome a move towards more rigorous, more specific CPD for buyer’s agents, and indeed all real estate professionals, including compulsory training in areas such as ethics, investment advice, finance fundamentals, and due diligence.

The risk to consumers

When poorly trained or poorly informed property professionals are let loose on the market, it is the consumer who pays the price – whether through bad advice, poor asset selection, or being led into unsuitable financial commitments.

As a Board Director of PIPA and as a full-time buyer’s agent, I see firsthand the damage that can occur when unqualified practitioners operate without appropriate knowledge or training. Reducing the minimum CPD requirements sends the wrong message to both industry and consumers – that standards can be relaxed, rather than continually raised.

In an era of increasing complexity – high interest rates, tighter lending policies, and an ever-evolving property market – our clients deserve better.

Final thoughts

WA has the opportunity to be a leader in setting higher standards for property professionals. Unfortunately, this latest change is a missed opportunity.

I urge government, regulators, and industry leaders to consider the long-term consumer impacts of such decisions, and to prioritise education and professionalism, particularly in the buyer’s agency space. The more skilled, informed, and ethical our agents are, the better outcomes we deliver for the WA public.

At Capital Property Advisory, we will continue to lead by example – upholding the highest standards of education, ethics, and client care, regardless of the minimum regulatory requirements.