Saturday 4 April, 2020
The LNP is calling on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to waive all licence and registration renewal fees for real estate agents and businesses for six months following a crash in property sales.
Open homes and auctions are forbidden under coronavirus social distancing requirements and real estate agents have seen their earnings collapse.
Despite the sector-wide slump, real estate agents are still being made to apply for either one or three-year licence renewals, costing $740.30 and $2054.70 respectively.
Registration renewal fees are an additional $171.60 (one-year) or $416.90 (three-years). Business licences range from $419.70 (one-year) to $1092.70 (three-years).
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said the case for suspending the fees was overwhelming.
“Most agents have no idea when their next sale will be and many operators are facing total ruin,” Ms Frecklington said.
“It is outrageous that professionals who cannot work because of coronavirus are still being hammered with State Government fees.
“This is a measure that the Palaszczuk Labor Government can implement to help prevent a health crisis becoming a major jobs crisis.
“I’m calling on the Premier to waive these fees immediately.”
Shadow Attorney-General David Janetzki said real estate agents were the second-largest small business employer in Queensland, with 32,000 agents supporting around 50,000 jobs.
“When businesses are struggling to survive, these charges are unfair and unreasonable and they must be suspended for six months at least,” Mr Janetzki said.
“The LNP is calling for a review in six months’ time on whether the fee waiver should be extended.”
The Real Estate Institute of Queensland is supporting the LNP’s call for fees to be waived.
For further information on real estate agent registration fees and charges, go to:
