As property managers across Australia face what feels like a legislative tsunami, one thing is clear, we’re not just ticking new compliance boxes, we’re navigating a fundamental shift in how we work.
From coast to coast, governments have been working to reform the Real Estate sector in a bid to improve the ever present “housing crisis”.
Our team has been working tirelessly to assist agencies across the country to understand, interpret, implement and manage the changes, and in doing so have been able to develop a unique perspective that sits at the heart of all the reforms.
1. Strengthening Tenant Protection
Why wouldn’t governments want this? Where people feel safe, they thrive, get jobs, have babies, and the economy strengthens.
The thought of being ousted at any moment from your home would put the strongest of us in a spin, and in many parts of the country, tenants are deemed to be the more vulnerable members of society. Removing “no grounds” evictions in almost every state comes as no surprise then.
Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and the ACT have all introduced reforms requiring specific reasons for termination and extended notice periods. Victoria’s sweeping reforms, set to take full effect by 1 November 2025, have outlawed no-cause evictions, capped rent increases, and put serious fines in place for landlords who fail to meet the new standards (Consumer Affairs VIC).
2. Enhancing Minimum Property Standards
Should a landlord be permitted to rent out an old, poorly maintained property at a low cost without recourse? I see the merits of both sides of the argument – if my property is cheaper to maintain, then I can offer it at a lower rent, and tenants who have lower budgets can stay in the market.
No longer an option, unfortunately.
Across the board, jurisdictions are moving toward defined minimum housing standards. In South Australia, as of 1 July 2024, all properties must meet new criteria for safety, security, and habitability (Housing Safety Authority SA). Victoria is phasing in standards for things like blind cord safety and heating in rooming houses right through to December 2025.
These standards aren’t just guidelines, they’re enforceable, measurable, and they come with real consequences. In NSW, failing to meet standards may now impact your licence, not to mention your reputation.
3. Professionalising the PM Industry
This one hits closest to home.
Gone are the days when property management was seen as the less glamorous cousin to sales: 2024 has drawn a line in the sand, professionalism is no longer a “nice to have”; it’s a legal necessity.
NSW has led the charge, with updated Supervision Guidelines and mandatory CPD hours for Class 1 and 2 licensees from 1 July 2024. These aren’t filler topics—they’re focused on compliance, supervision, trust accounting, and legislative changes NSW Fair Trading.
Queensland, too, is enforcing a standardised rental application from May 2025, driving consistency, privacy protection and clarity for both renters and property managers RTA QLD.
And as short-stay accommodation laws tighten in places like Victoria and the ACT, the line between long-term rental professionals and “Airbnb managers” is becoming more distinct—and rightly so.
So What Does It All Mean?
It means we’re being called on to step up. To educate. To protect. To lead.
There’s no denying these changes have come fast, and in many cases, without enough support or clarity from regulators. But there’s also no denying that the role of the property manager has never been more essential.
We’re the translators between the legalities and realities of owning a rental property. The frontline professionals navigating landlords, tenants, and agencies through a tidal wave of reform – all while trying to hold onto our sanity, service standards, and sense of humour.
So no, we may not love the L-word. But if legislation is what finally forces our industry to earn the respect it deserves, then maybe, just maybe, it’s a word worth embracing.
