CPD points and activities - real estate

CPD Points

The requirements of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) are prescribed by legislation and all licensees and sales representatives must comply or face a penalty of up to $5000.  

How many CPD points must I accrue each year?

In accordance with the Regulations, at least three mandatory and seven elective points must be acquired 31 December each calendar year. These points must be obtained by undertaking educational activities approved by Consumer Protection. The mandatory and elective activities approved by Consumer Protection are listed on its website. Participants are required to attend one mandatory activity per calendar year to accumulate the three mandatory points, with elective activities making up the remaining seven points.

CPD Activities

Are there any specific CPD activities that I must complete?

Yes.

CPD activities are divided into two categories: mandatory and elective. Mandatory activities are specified by Consumer Protection, which you need to undertake in order to obtain your points for the mandatory component of CPD. Prior to January each year, Consumer Protection will advise participants and publish details of what the activities will be for the following year on this website. 

The mandatory and elective activities approved by Consumer Protection are listed on the Department’s website. Participants are required to attend one mandatory activity per calendar year to accumulate the three mandatory points.

Participants are also required to attend elective activities per calendar year to accumulate seven elective points.

Can I use excess CPD points I earn in one year towards my CPD points for the next year?

No, it is not possible to ‘carry over’ extra CPD points to a subsequent CPD period.

If I obtain a new license and triennial certificate during the calendar year, do I need to obtain 10 CPD points for that year?

If you are a new licensee who has had their triennial certificate granted for the first time between 1 January and 30 September of the calendar year in which you are first granted a new licence, you are required to obtain 10 CPD points for that calendar year.

However, if you are a new licensee who has had their triennial certificate granted for the first time between 1 October and 31 December of the calendar year and you completed a prescribed examination for the grant of the licence in the 12 months immediately before the day on which the licence was granted, you are not required to participate in the CPD program during the year in which you are first granted a new licence and triennial certificate. You are required to commence the CPD program from 1 January the following year.

If I obtain a new certificate of registration during the year, do I need to obtain 10 CPD points for that year?

If you are a new registrant (sales representative or property manager) who has had their certificate of registration granted for the first time between 1 January and 30 September of the calendar year in which you are first granted a new registration, you are required to obtain 10 CPD points for that calendar year.

However, if you are a new registrant (sales representative or property manager) who has had their certificate of registration granted for the first time between 1 October and 31 December of the calendar year, you are not required to participate in the CPD program during the year in which you are first granted a new sales registration.  You are required to commence the CPD program from 1 January the following year.

How are the CPD points for an approved CPD activity calculated?

Consumer Protection calculates the number of CPD points assigned to each approved CPD activity at differing rates per hour dependant on the training type and provider.  For example, viewing an approved DVD from a non-Registered Training Organisation accrues fewer points than attending a Consumer Protection approved training course conducted by an appropriate Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

An appropriate RTO is an entity whose scope includes courses relevant to the real estate or business broking industry. To operate as an RTO in Western Australia, an entity must be registered by the Training Accreditation Council (TAC). Full details as to the amount of CPD points an approved elective activity gives a participant are available on the elective activities page.

Can I claim CPD points for in-house training programs?

Yes. If the training program has been approved by Consumer Protection. If your agency is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or hired a RTO to provide the training, then one CPD point per hour can be claimed. Training conducted by agency staff or others would entitle you to one-half of a point per hour. There are limits to the number of points that can be earned for in-house training provided by non-RTOs. The approved courses list outlines the number of CPD points per activity. 

Can I claim CPD points by participating in online distance education?

Yes.

Individual licence holders are no longer required to apply to Consumer Protection for CPD distance learning packages.

All mandatory training providers have been approved to deliver the mandatory activities online.

Similarly, approved online elective CPD activities can also be completed online.

You will need to contact a training provider directly to complete an approved course.

Can I claim CPD points for participating in other industry related CPD programs in other jurisdictions outside of Western Australia?

Yes. If approved by the Commissioner for Consumer Protection.

For more information, contact the CPD team by email

Can I get an exemption from the CPD requirements?

A licensee, a sales representative or a property manager may apply to the Commissioner in writing for a total or partial exemption from completing their annual CPD requirements in extenuating circumstances. The application can only address the CPD requirements for the current calendar year of compliance and must contain supporting evidence.

For more information on applying for an exemption contact the CPD team by email

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