Belt Auction

Is it legal for real estate agents to pay referral fee to a person who is not a real estate agent in Australia?

I introduced an overseas buyer to buy a property in Australia and asked for a referral fee from the real estate agent. The real estate agent told me and the buyer that it is illegal in Australia for a real estate agent to pay such a fee to a person who is not a real estate agent. Is it true ? I have checked with some other real estate agents and they told me that they pay people who are not real estate agents referral fees if their buyers succeed in buying the properties.

Public Comments

1. he is trying to avoid you. if he is not avoiding and the rules are really such in Australia, he can pay you as gift instead.
2. It will depend on their laws. I am a Realtor in Tennessee, I referred a buyer to an agent in Italy, because I am a Realtor in the U.S. I was able to receive a referral fee. It had to go thru my Broker and they received their share of the referral. Had I not been a licensed Realtor then NO I could not have received a referral fee. Our laws are very specific, an unlicensed Realtor/Agent cannot receive a referral fee. We cannot receive money from anyone other than our Broker. "Gifts" are usually not allowed either, a nice dinner, fruit basket, etc... is one thing. Gift cards, cash, or other monetary fees are not. Good Luck