Eight questions to ask before accepting a real estate job

Bring the offer to the conversation

Fair Work says an employment contract cannot remove minimum entitlements. The written offer is therefore a starting document to check against the applicable rules, not the whole answer. Employment contracts.

You do not need to sound like a lawyer. Ask the employer to walk through the offer with you and put important answers in writing. A question may reveal an innocent omission that is easy to fix. Pressure to sign before the basics are clear deserves more care.

Ask these eight questions

1. Am I an employee or a genuine contractor? Ask why the arrangement fits the work. An ABN or a contract label alone should not end the discussion. Independent contractors.

2. Which award or agreement and classification apply? Ask for the actual name and level, based on your duties. “Industry standard” is not a classification.

3. What fixed pay will I receive, and when? Separate ordinary pay, superannuation, allowances and any incentives. Ask for the current effective date of the rate used.

4. How is commission calculated and when is it payable? Request a worked example, including shared work, a delayed payment and any proposed offset. The Real Estate Award has specific written-agreement rules. Real Estate Industry Award.

5. If the offer is commission only, how do I qualify? Ask the employer to show how the award’s entry requirements are met. Do not rely on expected future success.

6. What hours, travel and costs should I expect? Ask about weekends, extra hours, use of your car, phone costs and how the applicable rules are applied. A headline package can leave those details unclear.

7. Who supervises me, and what may I do? Ask which tasks need state authority, who checks your work and what training is scheduled. Get a real name and a process for urgent questions.

8. What happens if either of us ends the job? Review notice, final pay, outstanding commission, confidentiality and any restraint. Get advice on clauses you do not understand before signing.

Decide with the answers in front of you

A supportive employer may need time to check a technical point. That is different from refusing to explain it. Look for clear follow-through and terms that match the job you discussed.

Being new does not make these questions unreasonable. They help both sides start with fewer surprises.

Your next step

Use the steps above to record each answer, source and unresolved point. Ask Fair Work about minimum entitlements and a qualified adviser about complex contract terms. Accept when you understand the arrangement and it fits your needs.