Network & Industry News

BOOK NOW: Convention 2024, Kuala Lumpur

19-23 May 2024

First National’s Kuala Lumpur Convention is going to be HUGE, with nearly 350 delegates already registered!

• Industry leading content
• Dynamic agenda gives you time to learn and time to explore
• Asia’s most breath-taking city; the world’s leader for tourism and shopping

Seats on flights are FILLING quickly.

To get the flights on the dates you and your team want you must ACT NOW.

Don’t miss the BIG savings grabbed by our agents who have booked for exciting Kuala Lumpur in the past week! Your registration includes:

• Convention registration
• Flights
• 5-star accommodation
• Transfers
• Convention agenda meals and beverages
• National awards evening
• Themed finale dinner
• Personalised tours/activities of your choice in Kuala Lumpur

Getting there is EASY!

1. BOOK your tickets now using this form
2. REGISTER using the link we send asking for your delegates’ names

Got a question? We’re standing by. Just email events@firstnational.com.au

UP-SKILLING: Top Award Winners Return from NAR NXT Conference 

First National's top 2023 GEM Award winners have returned from the prestigious National Association of Realtors conference, NAR NXT The Realtor Experience, held in Anaheim, California.

A major theme of the conference was that Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds the potential to replace agents’ expertise, and, that it is vital agents attract customers by pushing the information to them that they need, rather than expecting them to find it themselves – exactly what First National is doing through Information Express!

The premier event united a diverse group of real estate agents, brokers, and technology companies, all engaging in vital idea exchanges and explored new frontiers in innovation, making it the most significant real estate expo in the industry - dedicated to fostering growth and technological advancement within the real estate sector.

‘Thank you so much for everything. We had the most memorable trip and will never forget your amazing hospitality. I thought I couldn’t love the network more however now that Matt is part of the family, it’s even more special.’

Lily Thompson

FN Neilson Partners (Narre Warren, VIC)

'My highlight is to be able to go places and meet beautiful, kind hearted people like First National families and this is all because of my hard working husband who makes it happen and he deserves to enjoy the fruit of his hard work. Looking forward to the next adventure with First National people.'

Ilona Cheney

FN Moreton (Burpengary, QLD)

‘Thanks a million. Paul and I had a wonderful time. I realise how much organisation goes into all of this so we really appreciate the fantastic job you did.’

Lisa Brady

FN Karratha (Karratha, WA)

‘Sincerest thanks for allowing Quentin and I to join your merry band of First National delegates. It was a genuine pleasure to spend some time with y’all and a privilege to be a part of your study group.’

Jacob Caine

REIV President

‘A great few days. Much appreciated.’

Mark Cheney

FN Moreton (Burpengary, QLD)

'Thank you for another exceptional FN NAR trip. Felt privileged and inspired to have met the next generation of FN superstars. The future of real estate is safe in their hands.'

Jacinta and Ken Purvis

FN Discover (Bathurst, NSW) 

AWARDS: Upload Your GEM Awards Figures

It’s time to upload your General Excellence & Marketing Awards (GEM Awards) figures so your team doesn’t miss out on the recognition they deserve for all their hard work and excellent results. 

PODCAST: Episode 5, Managing Domestic Violence

Alexandra Haggarty is First National’s expert on how to manage domestic violence (DV) in First National’s rental properties. In this episode, Alexandra guides you on how to respond professionally to the complex situations that can arise.

PODCAST: Episode 6, Keeping You in the Know

Join National Member Services Manager, Stacey Kelly, and CEO Ray Ellis for a discussion about all the latest industry and First National developments.

COMMERCIAL: Knowledge-Packed Experience Day Wows Delegates

Our FN Commercial agents gathered at The Hyatt, Essendon Fields for The Explore, Learn & Network Commercial Session, which provided knowledge-packed day of short, sharp and informative speakers covering relevant topics:

• Economics and industry news – Anne Flaherty (REA)
• What banks like and don’t like in commercial lending – Lucy Chapman (Macquarie Bank)
• The changing nature of insurance - Fabian Pasquini, Austbrokers Countrywide
• Digital Platform and Future of Security Bonds and or Bank Guarantees - Shaun Sergay, eGuarantee
• Making daily commercial tasks more efficient - David Gavigan, APAC
• Requirements of valuations and what you need to know - Craig Veljkovic, Herron Todd White
• Importance of Depreciation and Condition Reports - John Williams, Director, Asset Reports
• Plans for FN Commercial 2024 – Anne Donchos & Frank Tierney, FN Commercial

A field trip to Essendon Fields provided insight to multi sites and how many businesses on different types of leases can all work in the same area, creating an amazing work hub.

Very few places incorporate an airstrip, hangers, airport, major retail and medical centres, automotive dealerships and training centres, security, Vicpol, ambulance services etc.

This mix of tenants was designed to inspire our members to start coming up with ideas to help their clients and lower vacancy rates within their region. A very special part of the agenda included our agents boarding a multimillion-dollar private jet, which provided a great end to a great day.

FN Commercial extends its thanks to Joel Rauer, GM of Essendon Fields for facilitating our field trip, and to all our speakers that contributed their time to inform our network of important updates within various industries related to commercial.

‘Thanks for organising such a great commercial day. Amazing information, well run with good food and great company… what else could you ask for? A private tour of Essendon Airports operations and a look inside a multi-million-dollar charter jet? Oh, you even delivered on that one! There is an awesome vibe in HQ and to be part of that on Monday was also a lot of fun.’  

Jonathan Clover

FN Genesis (Mt Hawthorn, WA)

‘It was a fantastic event. Thank you for doing a wonderful job.’

Shane Candappa

FN Candappa (Drouin, VIC)

‘Just mentioned to the National Chairman how great a day we had yesterday. Love the short sharp sessions which were full of information. Thank you and the team for organising it and we will definitely attend the next day.’

Marcus Rayner

FN Rayner (Bacchus Marsh, VIC)

‘Thank you so much for organising the day. I found the whole thing really informative, and I loved that there was some good economic information; it was quite insightful. It was also really nice to get to meet some of the other FN members, we had a few chats with the Bendigo team and Vince from Dandenong that were rather helpful.’ 

Jess Powell 

FN Central KW (Morwell, VIC)

POLICY: WA CPD potentially could be halved

As part of a self-funded model, the WA Government has announced it is considering halving the number of points required for annual CPD training to just 5 from 2026. 

REIWA CEO Cath Hart says the announcement provides certainty for consumers and practitioners alike.

‘Our advocacy to the Government has been for a CPD model which maintains industry standards in a way that is appropriate in regard to the obligations and requirements of practitioners, with a particular focus on ensuring CPD content is contemporary and relevant for the key issues being faced by industry.’

A copy of the full report can be downloaded from DMIRS.

POLICY: CPD Being Considered for QLD

The QLD Government has announced it is considering introducing compulsory CPD obligations in 2024, and has called for submissions from the industry.

More details are anticipated soon but it appears the government has chosen option two, which is the less onerous of plans. Legislation will still need to be developed then a phase in period will be initiated.  

With Stage 2 Tenancy Law Reform, we await further details of the government’s agenda. The Property Law Act heralds substantial changes concerning residential sales and residential property management and was passed by Parliament in October, however the commencement date is not as yet clear.  Future Stacey Holt training dates will address the changes you need to be across and will be announced in 2024.

NCAT Training Trish Rogers

Do you find it challenging to get ready for an NCAT tribunal? Uncertain about the strength of your case? Feeling nervous about attending? Trish Rogers delivered an engaging training webinar helping that addressed these issues and received great feedback.

‘The presentation on NCAT Tribunal training with Trish Rogers was great. I found the work book provided before the webinar was fantastic and now the follow up templates and check lists have been awesome. Well done, Trish. Well done, First National.’

Debbie Angrove

FN Charles L King & Co (Echuca, VIC).

Products And Services eBook

Stay up to date with all the products and services at your fingertips with First National’s handy eBook.

Jonathan Creek Social Media Training

Jonathan Creek’s ‘Virable Formula’ training helped First National’s agents attending his Newcastle Novotel training session to structure their content to capture more attention. Jonathan’s ideas on storytelling, algorithm performance strategies, presenting to camera, lighting and audio magic are much needed skills in today’s world.

‘Motivated me to get back into videos. Clear, concise and sensible.’

David Westerman

FN Toronto (NSW)