"The Rise of the Buyer’s Agent – A Recruiter’s Perspective"

I’ve been recruiting for over 15 years. One of the more interesting shifts I’ve seen lately is how buyer’s agencies have grown in Australia.

A few years ago, most candidates hadn’t heard of them. Now I get calls every week from people wanting to break into the space.

It’s Gone Mainstream

I was speaking with a client recently who runs a buyer’s agency in Sydney. He said ten years ago he had to explain what a buyer’s agent even was. Now people come to him already educated, portfolio strategy in hand.

Podcasts, YouTube, property educators – they’ve done the heavy lifting on awareness. And with that visibility, more people want to work in the industry. I’m seeing candidates from all sorts of backgrounds – sales agents, mortgage brokers, financial planners – all keen to get in.

It’s More Than Most People Realise

I had coffee with a buyer’s agent last month who’s been in the game for about eight years. I asked him what surprises new starters the most. He said, “the breadth of what you need to know.”

It’s not just about finding properties. You need to understand data, lending, tax structures, suburb dynamics. You’re advising people on major financial decisions.

He also mentioned the KPIs. Most agencies run on targets. It’s a performance-driven environment. Some people thrive in that. Others don’t.

The Regulation Conversation

I was recently chatting with someone who’s spent about ten years in this industry. Started as a property strategist, worked his way up, now operates as a buyer’s agent.

We got talking about regulation – or the lack of it.

We both agreed it doesn’t really exist. You need a real estate licence, and that’s about it. No mandatory training specific to buyer’s agency work. No formal accreditation.

I said to him – recruitment’s the same. Anyone can call themselves a recruiter tomorrow. No licence, no qualification.

He laughed and said, “So you get it.”

I do. Some industries just operate that way. The good operators build their name through results and reputation.

A Space Worth Watching

The industry is maturing. The serious players are building proper businesses – research teams, structured pathways, professional development.

For candidates, it’s an interesting time to get in. For employers, the challenge is finding people who understand what the role involves.

From where I sit, it’s one of the more dynamic parts of the property market. I’ll be watching closely.