School leavers urged to consider a career in property as markets hot up

As thousands of Australian school leavers prepare to make decisions about their next chapter, property industry experts are encouraging them to think differently about what success looks like after Year 12, and consider a career in real estate.

For many young Australians, university has long been the default path, but with the ballooning cost of university degrees and a cooling job market in many professional sectors as a result of AI industries, a career in real estate is emerging as a safe option.

With strong job growth and national demand, it’s one of the most accessible and opportunity-rich industries for young people entering the workforce.

According to a recent SEEK Employment Dashboard, job advertisements across the Real Estate and Property category have grown by 14.2% year-on-year, reflecting the sector’s ongoing strength and need for new talent. The number of job ads in the real estate and property sector jumped 1.1% in August from a month earlier (SOURCE).

“Real estate is an industry where ambition and attitude is just as important as experience,” said Ilker Uysal, CEO of Property Training Australia, a national training organisation backed by the long-established property services group Oliver Hume Property Group.

“For school leavers, it’s a fast track into a professional environment where you can develop skills, build confidence, and start earning, without carrying  huge debt and waiting years for a qualification to pay off.”

“Any Year 12 students unsure about their next move can be confident that real estate offers a real-world career that delivers results,” Mr Uysal said. “You can start small, learn fast, and build a career that grows as you do. If you’re motivated, enjoy working with people, and want to take control of your future, this is an industry that rewards effort from day one.”

For students completing school this year, nationally accredited entry-level real estate qualifications provide a direct pathway into professional employment.

Property Training Australia (RTO: 41241) delivers entirely online, self-paced courses designed to help students take their first step into the property sector. Students are supported by local trainers, providing hands-on guidance and practical insights that go beyond textbooks.

The flexible structure means students can study around part-time work, family commitments, or travel, a significant advantage for young people looking for freedom and balance as they start their careers.

“Our students tell us they love being able to work at their own pace and on their own schedule,” Mr Uysal said. “There’s no classroom pressure, and by the time they finish, they have the skills, confidence, and industry knowledge to walk straight into job interviews.”

Beyond the flexibility, the sector offers clear opportunities for advancement. Entry-level roles such as assistant sales agent or property manager can quickly lead to positions in sales, project marketing, or property management. For those who dream of building their own brand or working independently, real estate can also open the door to entrepreneurship.

“Many of Australia’s most successful businesspeople started in real estate,” Mr Uysal said. “It’s an industry that rewards drive, personality, and persistence. For school leavers who are motivated and people-focused, the potential for growth is extraordinary.”

The appeal of the industry also lies in its diversity. Real estate professionals come from all walks of life and bring a wide range of skills, from communication and negotiation to digital marketing and customer service.

For young Australians raised in the digital age, these skills are second nature, giving them an immediate advantage as the industry continues to evolve with new technology and online platforms.

“Real estate today isn’t just about selling houses,” Mr Uysal said. “It’s about building relationships, managing transactions, using data, and communicating across digital and social channels. It’s a modern, people-driven career that aligns perfectly with the strengths of the next generation.”

Property Training Australia’s programs also include access to job search support and flexible payment options, including Afterpay, to make getting started as easy as possible.

The company is part of Oliver Hume Property Group, one of Australia’s oldest and most respected property services businesses, with more than 70 years of experience mentoring and developing property professionals.

To learn more about careers in real estate or enrol in a nationally accredited course, visit www.propertytraining.com.au.

School-leaver Stories

Madden Boykett, 21, Estate Manager, Oliver Hume Property Group

“I always knew I wanted to work in the property industry from a young age. I’ve always loved looking at houses in my local area, and I used to find myself driving through new subdivisions and estates just out of curiosity. Over time, that casual interest turned into a real fascination, and I started wondering how I could actually be involved in that world. Eventually, real estate just clicked for me. It felt like the answer to that question I’d been asking myself for years.

I started my journey in real estate through a school-based traineeship, and by the time I was 18, I’d joined Oliver Hume. It was the perfect opportunity to get my foot in the door and start learning from the ground up. After spending a couple of years gaining experience with Ray White, I’ve now returned to Oliver Hume and I can honestly say I’m loving it.

I never really considered going to university. I just wanted to get straight into the workforce and start learning by doing. I was lucky to find a position early on that allowed me to build experience, earn a solid income for someone my age, and set myself up for the future. One of the things I love about real estate is how broad the industry is. There are so many different roles and directions you can take. It’s also an industry that’s constantly evolving, which means there’s always something new to learn. I also enjoy the independence that comes with managing my own time, and real estate really lends itself to that kind of freedom and responsibility.

Real estate is an industry that suits people who are self-driven and genuinely passionate about what they do. You can’t just do it because you have to. You have to love it. The people who really thrive are the ones who are motivated to push themselves, to keep learning, and to be the best they can be.

My long-term goal has always been to move into property development. Working at Oliver Hume has been a fantastic stepping stone toward that, and it’s given me great exposure to the development side of the business. I really enjoy being part of the team, the people, the culture, and the company itself are all things I value highly. I’d love to continue growing within Oliver Hume, and I’m genuinely grateful to be part of a business that supports my ambitions and gives me room to grow.”

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Nichole Farrelly, 20, sales Associate, Oliver Hume Property Group.

“I’ve been in real estate for about two years now. I actually went straight into a real estate course right out of school, which gave me a great foundation in the industry. About twelve months ago, I started working with Oliver Hume, and that’s really where I’ve been able to put everything I’ve learned into practice and grow my skills in the real world.

After finishing high school, I jumped straight into my Certificate IV in Real Estate. I had been accepted into university to study property economics, which I was really interested in, but I decided to defer my offer so I could get hands-on experience in the workforce. I’ve always believed that learning on the job gives you a different kind of understanding ,one that you can’t always get in a classroom.

When I was younger, I actually wanted to be an architect because I loved design and the idea of creating spaces. But over time, I found myself more drawn to the buying and selling side of property — understanding how the market works, what drives trends, and how people make their decisions. That curiosity about market dynamics naturally led me into real estate.

What I really enjoy about real estate is the human side of it. I like picking up the phone and having conversations, but even more than that, I love meeting people face to face. There’s something really rewarding about giving buyers an overview, walking them through the process of purchasing a home, and seeing their excitement when they find the right place. Building rapport and trust with clients is one of the best parts of the job.

I’ve always told myself that if I’m not happy doing something, I won’t do it. And I can honestly say I’m happy where I am. I love what I do, I enjoy the people I meet, and I feel like I’m constantly learning and improving. Real estate has been a really good fit for me.”

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