History

The idea of establishing an association to represent the interests of the real estate sector was born in 1923 at the First Conference of Representatives of Real Estate Institutes and Associations throughout Australia, held in Sydney. 

Delegates from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia were present to discuss matters related to the creation of a Federal Council of the Real Estate Institutes and Associations of Australia. 

The main reasons for the creation a federal council were:

• to bring about a uniform legislation for the real estate practice
• to establish an education policy that could provide the proper training and educational facilities for people working for the profession
• to form a body that could represent the interests of the sector and the interchange of rights and privileges between members in different states.

In 1927 the first conference of the Associated Real Estate Institutes and Associations of Australia was held where issues such as the formation of an educational policy and legislation affecting real estate agents were discussed.

Mr James Love, who was the head of the biggest firm of auctioneers in Brisbane and the leading practicing auctioneer, was appointed as the new president.  Under his presidency the Code of Ethics of The Associated Real Estate Institutes and Associations of Australia was established, which stipulated clauses regarding professional relations and relations to clients and the public.  It was also decided to change the name of the organisation to The Associated Real Estate Institutes and Agents’ Associations of Australia.

At that point in time all state and territory Institute bodies, with the exception of Tasmania, were represented.  The date of joining was as follows:

• Real Estate Institute of SA - 1925
• Real Estate Institute of NSW - 1925
• Auctioneers Land and Estate Agents Association of WA - 1925
• Victorian Country Land Agents Association - 1925
• Real Estate Institute of Queensland - 1925
• Country Stock and Station Agents Association of NSW - 1926
• Auctioneers and Estate Agents Association of Victoria - 1926
• Real Estate Association of Victoria - 1926
• Real Estate Agents’ Association of Tasmania - 1928