A Class 2 NSW real estate licence lets you do day-to-day agency work for clients, but you cannot be nominated as Licensee in Charge or open or manage a trust account. A Class 1 licence makes you eligible to act as LIC, work as a sole trader, and, if you are the nominated LIC, authorise trust withdrawals.
For the 2026–2027 CPD year, Class 1 and Class 2 holders who share the same licence category and area of practice complete the same core compulsory topics and minimum interactive hours. Class 1 holders then have additional Fair Trading requirements: an accredited forum for each licence category held, and AUSTRAC real estate AML training in specified areas of practice. Delivery details for those extras are still to come on the official NSW Fair Trading CPD page.
This page compares licence powers first, then CPD. It reflects NSW Government guidance last updated 9 July 2026. It is a practical summary, not legal advice. For core pathway enrolments, see NSW CPD courses (next published intake: 12–13 October 2026).
Class 1 vs Class 2 licence: what each one lets you do
From the NSW real estate agent licence page:
A Class 2 licence allows you to:
- act as an agent for a client to sell, buy or exchange property, businesses or professional practices
- negotiate with clients and vendors
- collect rent, deposits, bond payments and fees related to a lease, licence or contract
A Class 1 licence allows you to do all of the above, and:
- act as a licensee in charge (LIC)
- work independently as a sole trader
- if you are an LIC, open and authorise trust account transactions for the business
Class 2 holders are not allowed to open or manage a trust account, or be nominated as a licensee in charge. Only a Class 1 agent who is nominated as LIC can authorise withdrawals from the agency’s trust account.
Holding Class 1 does not automatically mean you are the nominated LIC. Eligibility and nomination are different steps.
That is the core Class 1 vs Class 2 NSW real estate licence difference on powers.
Class 1 vs Class 2 CPD at a glance
| Requirement | Class 2 licence | Class 1 licence |
|---|---|---|
| Core compulsory topics | Based on each licence category held and area of practice worked in | Same core rules |
| Core minimum hours | Based on area of practice | Based on area of practice |
| NSW Fair Trading accredited forum | Not listed as a Class 2 requirement on the current CPD page | Required for each licence category held; further event detail still to come |
| AUSTRAC real estate AML training | Not listed as a Class 2 requirement on the current CPD page | Required for Class 1 in specified areas of practice; delivery guidance still to come |
| CPD record retention | 3 years | 3 years |
Takeaway: start with your licence category and area of practice for core CPD, then add Class 1 extras if you hold Class 1.
Core hours depend on your area of practice (not your class)
There is no single “Class 1 hours” or “Class 2 hours” figure for core CPD. Fair Trading sets minimum interactive hours and compulsory topics by licence category and area of practice. Class only matters for the additional Class 1 obligations below.
For the full 2026–2027 matrix across pathways, use NSW CPD requirements 2026–2027. Residential property manager topics (including minimum hours and the Domestic Violence reforms topic) are still being finalised on the official Fair Trading CPD page - do not invent or reuse last year’s PM list.
Example: residential real estate sales
For residential real estate salespeople, Class 1 and Class 2 holders complete the same core requirement on that pathway:
- 7 hours interactive training from an approved provider
- 4 compulsory topics: Auction laws and practice; Contracts; Rules of Conduct refresher; Supervision Guidelines and AML CTF in agency practice
Class 1 holders on that pathway then add the extras in the next section.
What Class 1 agents need to add
Fair Trading accredited forum
Fair Trading states that Class 1 licence holders must attend a NSW Fair Trading accredited forum relevant to each licence category they hold, in addition to their core CPD hours. Further detail regarding these accredited events will be provided shortly.
Do not assume a fixed hour count or alternate provider format until Fair Trading publishes it. Stale search snippets sometimes mention older “5-hour” language; that is not on the live 2026–27 CPD page.
AUSTRAC real estate AML training (specified practices)
Class 1 licence holders in relevant areas of practice must also complete AUSTRAC’s real estate AML training as a mandatory requirement. Fair Trading will provide further guidance as AUSTRAC finalises the delivery approach.
Relevant areas of practice named on the official page: residential real estate salespeople, buyers agents, commercial real estate agents, business brokers, and stock and station agents.
This Class 1 AUSTRAC requirement is separate from the core compulsory topic Supervision Guidelines and AML CTF in agency practice. For that distinction, see AML/CTF awareness for NSW agencies.
Does Class 1 status always mean LIC duties?
No. Class 1 makes you eligible to act as LIC and to work as a sole trader. Trust account authorisations sit with the nominated Class 1 LIC of the business.
If you are the nominated LIC, you also need the agency training plan covered. See NSW LIC training plan CPD.
Multiple categories or practice areas
If you work across categories or practice areas:
- List every licence category you hold
- List every area of practice you work in
- Map Fair Trading’s compulsory topics for each
- Avoid assuming duplicated topics cancel without checking the rules
- Add Class 1 extras (forum per category; AUSTRAC AML where your practices are named)
- If you are the nominated LIC, include training-plan responsibilities
For dual-licence and multi-area mapping, see NSW CPD for multiple areas and dual licences.
Keep evidence for the same period
Licence holders (Class 1 and Class 2) must keep CPD records for 3 years and provide them to NSW Fair Trading if requested. Certificate of registration holders keep records for 4 years.
Organisation tools such as CPD Tracker can help you and your agency stay organised. Your certificates and topic records remain the evidence Fair Trading can ask for.
EDUTIVE is listed among approved providers for the 2026–27 CPD year on the official NSW Fair Trading CPD page (list of approved providers).
Frequently asked questions
Do Class 1 and Class 2 agents complete the same core CPD?
Yes, if they share the same licence category and area of practice. Class 1 holders then have additional Fair Trading requirements on top of that core.
How many CPD hours do Class 1 and Class 2 real estate agents need in 2026–2027?
Core hours depend on area of practice, not class alone. For example, residential real estate salespeople, buyers agents, commercial real estate agents, business brokers, and stock and station agents need 7 interactive hours on the published pathways. Other pathways differ. Residential property manager hours and topics are still being finalised. See NSW CPD requirements 2026–2027 for the full matrix.
What extra CPD must Class 1 agents complete?
A Fair Trading accredited forum relevant to each licence category held, plus AUSTRAC real estate AML training in the specified areas of practice. Delivery details are still to come on the official CPD page.
How long must Class 1 and Class 2 agents keep CPD records?
Both Class 1 and Class 2 licence holders must keep records for 3 years.
What’s the next step to book core CPD?
Browse NSW CPD courses for your pathway. Next published intake: 12–13 October 2026. A two-day intake can finish core CPD for matching pathways; Class 1 forum and AUSTRAC extras stay separate until Fair Trading publishes delivery detail. See Finish NSW CPD in a two-day intake.
Next step
View CPD courses or open CPD Tracker. Class 1 holders should watch Fair Trading for forum and AUSTRAC delivery guidance before assuming a normal course covers those extras. Nominated LICs who want duties detail can also read LIC supervision duties.
Sources
Sources
Next step
Complete your NSW CPD with EDUTIVE
EDUTIVE is an approved NSW Fair Trading CPD provider. Browse compulsory topics for your licence category, or track your hours with CPD Tracker.
