Australia’s job mobility rate has declined for the second consecutive year, but new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that real estate remains one of the most mobile professions in the country.
In the 12 months to February 2025, just under 8 per cent of employed Australians changed jobs – down from 9.6 per cent in 2023.
However, among sales workers, which includes real estate agents, the figure was significantly higher at 9.9 per cent.
The ABS data confirms what many in the industry already suspect: high turnover among agents is not only ongoing, it remains one of the most persistent trends in the sector.
The report notes that only around half of sales workers who changed jobs during the period stayed within the same occupational group.
This suggests that real estate businesses may be losing staff not just to competitors, but to entirely different industries, something that has implications for recruitment, training investment, and long-term team development.
Age appears to play a strong role in mobility, with the highest rates recorded among younger workers.
Those aged 15 to 24 had a job mobility rate of around 12 per cent, while workers aged 65 and over had a rate of just 1 per cent.
This mirrors common experiences in real estate, where younger agents and assistants often change roles within their first year or two.
Geographically, the ACT recorded the highest overall mobility at 11 per cent, followed by Queensland at 9 per cent.
These figures may reflect more active markets, shifting business models, or broader economic conditions that encourage movement between agencies.
While some agency leaders may view high mobility as a natural part of a competitive sales environment, the data raises questions about retention and career sustainability.
The fact that sales workers lead all occupational groups in mobility, and that many leave sales entirely, suggests that more structured onboarding, clearer progression pathways, and increased focus on agent wellbeing could help reduce turnover and improve outcomes for both businesses and clients.
As the broader labour market tightens and job changes become less frequent in other sectors, real estate appears to be holding its position as a high-churn industry.
