Pay and income / Explainer
What can you earn in your first year in real estate?
Start with the legal pay floor for your actual role. Treat future commission as uncertain until the terms and results are clear.
Created 8 October 2026 · Updated 8 October 2026
Official sources checked 8 October 2026
Australian overview — named state examples stay local. Educational information; no personal eligibility or outcome is promised.
A checked pay figure beats a vague promise
The live Real Estate Industry Award gives a useful starting point. From the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, the adult full-time minimum for Level 1, during the first 12 months at that level, is $1,010.60 a week for ordinary hours. Level 2 is $1,119.10 a week. These are different classifications, not two pay choices for the same work. Real Estate Industry Award, clause 14.
The Level 1 weekly figure multiplied by 52 is $52,551.20. That is an illustration at one unchanged rate across 52 weeks. It is not a first-year earnings forecast: rates can change, your start date matters, and your circumstances may differ.
Work out which figure belongs to you
Ask for the award or agreement and classification in the offer. Your duties matter more than a stylish job title. Junior rates, traineeships, casual work, part-time hours and valid commission-only arrangements need separate checks.
A person doing only clerical work in an agency may fall under the Clerks Award rather than the Real Estate Award. Fair Work’s coverage guidance makes that distinction. Clerical employees in real estate.
For students comparing a new career with their current job, uncertainty can be the hard part. You can reduce it without pretending to know how many sales you will help complete.
Budget pay and incentives separately
Build two budgets
Make your essential-spending budget from reliable pay you can verify. Make a second, clearly labelled scenario for possible incentives. Leave room for course costs, travel and the time between starting work and receiving any sales-related payment.
Ask whether advertised pay includes superannuation, which allowances apply and how extra hours are handled. An annual package can hide details that a weekly breakdown makes easier to see.
Check the date as well as the amount
During our research, some search results still displayed a pay guide effective in July 2025. That is why the live award, effective date and your pay period matter. Save the source used for your check rather than relying on a screenshot with no date.
Fair Work’s pay tools can help match rates and entitlements to the job. Find pay rates and entitlements.
Your next step
Use The true cost of becoming a real estate agent in 2026 with the written job offer beside you. Ask payroll to explain any difference before you sign. A realistic first year begins with a clear floor and a sensible plan for the income that may come later.
Sources and what remains unknown
Reader’s age, duties, award coverage, hours, incentives and future rate changes unknown. Old 2025 pay-guide figures excluded.
- Real Estate Industry Award, clause 14 · checked 8 October 2026
- Clerical employees in real estate · checked 8 October 2026
- Find pay rates and entitlements · checked 8 October 2026