Class 1 is the top of the NSW real estate licence ladder. It is the licence held by the Licensee in Charge: the person who is legally responsible for an agency and the money in its trust account. If you plan to own or run an agency in NSW, this is the rung you are aiming for.
This guide covers what the role carries, the qualification behind it, and who should set their sights on it. For how it fits the wider journey, see our guide to the real estate licence upgrade path.
What a Licensee in Charge does
Every real estate agency in NSW must have a Licensee in Charge. This is the person who holds legal responsibility for how the agency operates and for the trust account that holds client money. It is a serious role. The Licensee in Charge supervises the agency\'s licensed staff, makes sure the business runs within the law, and answers for it if something goes wrong.
Holding client money in trust is the heaviest part of the job. The Licensee in Charge is accountable for that account being handled correctly, which is why the role sits at the top of the ladder and carries the qualification to match.
The qualification you need
The Class 1 licence is built on the Diploma of Property (CPP51122). For NSW this is 12 units. The Diploma builds on the Certificate IV behind a Class 2 licence and steps up into agency management, trust accounting and the broader responsibilities of running a business.
Archer delivers the Diploma online and self-paced, so you can study while you keep working as a Class 2 agent. It is commonly completed in around 6 to 12 months, depending on your pace.
The experience requirement
The Diploma is one half of the upgrade. NSW Fair Trading also sets experience requirements you must meet before it will issue the Class 1 licence. The training provider issues the qualification. NSW Fair Trading issues the licence. The experience requirement is usually what sets the real timeline, so always confirm the current rules with NSW Fair Trading.
The pathway from Class 2
Most people reach Class 1 by first working as a Class 2 agent and building experience before studying the Diploma. It is the natural next step once you are working independently and start thinking about ownership or management. If you are still on Class 3, the route runs Class 3 to Class 2 to Class 1.
Who should aim for it
- Future agency owners who want to open their own office in NSW.
- Current agency owners who need a Licensee in Charge in place to operate legally.
- Senior Class 2 agents ready to take on supervision and legal responsibility.
- Anyone planning long term in real estate who wants to keep their options open.
If you are building an agency, it is worth thinking past your own licence to the team behind you. Our guide to succession planning for the Licensee in Charge role covers what happens when the person legally in charge moves on.
Your next step
Becoming a Licensee in Charge is the move that turns an agent into an agency owner. Start with the Class 1 Licensee in Charge course, or call our Australian-based team and we will confirm the qualification and the current experience requirements with you. Always check the current rules with NSW Fair Trading before you apply.
