Network & Industry

In This Edition… 

🚀 Aussie Home Loans launches FREE listings platform

🤐 REA tells agents to zip their lips

🏢 First National expands with three new offices (and a fourth is coming)

👩🏼‍🏫 Learning Influencers drive WHS progress nationally

🤖 Explore our AI Prompt Library and lift your productivity

🧑🏽‍💻 WHS module two has dropped – Behavioural Safety

📃 NSW Government quietly drops proof of renovations requirements for landlords

👩🏻‍⚖️ QLD seller disclosure laws start 1 August

🏛️ Mastering commercial leases

📈 REI Super’s Balanced performance excels – take a look!

First National expands in Perth, Sydney and Warragul

👓 1.4 minute read

First National Real Estate has welcomed three new offices, underscoring growing confidence in the network’s strategy and support systems. A fourth will be announced imminently.

Perth, Harrisdale – First National RS Group

Ronnie Singh, formerly part of the award‑winning FN Genesis team in Mount  Hawthorn (WA), has launched his own agency in Harrisdale. By choosing to remain within First  National, Ronnie has signalled his faith in the network’s technology, training, and cooperative model. His office will deepen our coverage across Perth’s south‑west growth corridor and strengthen referral pathways for members statewide.

Sydney, Hurstville – First National JV Partners

In Hurstville, seasoned St George specialist Justin Cai has integrated his independent agency into the network, rebranding as First National JV Partners. With 15  years of local experience and a bilingual team serving Chinese‑speaking clients, Justin brings valuable cultural insight to our Sydney footprint. His decision illustrates the competitive advantages First National offers established operators seeking scalable marketing, compliance, and learning resources.

Melbourne, Warragul – First National Candappa

Continuing their trajectory of growth, Suzy and Shane Candappa are opening a second office in Warragul. Please join us in congratulating Suzy, Shane, and the entire FN Candappa team on their exciting growth. We wish you the best of luck and look forward to supporting your continued success.

Residential members add commercial services

FN Commercial is supporting an expansion of services for three existing member offices as well:

• FN Commercial Yamba (NSW)

• FN Commercial Latrobe (VIC)

• FN Commercial Armidale (NSW)

These appointments broaden our national reach, enhance service to vendors, landlords, and buyers, and reaffirm that progressive, member‑centred cooperation remains the preferred path for top performers. We extend a warm welcome to Ronnie, Justin, and their teams, and congratulate Jessica, Thomas, Suzy and Shane on their business growth. 

Membership Director update

👓 2 minute video

First National Real Estate Membership Director Darren Pearce has provided an update on membership benefits and network growth. Get up to date in just two minutes.

Learning Influencers drive WHS progress

👓 45 second read

More than 20 Learning Influencers are now guiding our People First at First National Work Health & Safety programme across the network. They allocate FN Central logins, distribute ten‑minute training modules, track completions, and retain signed policies.

Our next platform, MyFN, will soon add a secure portal for policy uploads. In the meantime, Module Two – Behavioural Safety – is live in your inbox and the Learning & Development section of this edition.

If your office has not named a Learning Influencer, act now to secure full WHS compliance before Christmas. The initiative shields your people, lowers risk, and lifts productivity.

Who is championing safety in your business? Speak with your State Membership Manager today.

REA tells agents not to share ‘confidential’ information

👓 50 second read

Amid the ACCC’s probe into REA’s pricing practices, agents have been told not to discuss how much they pay for REA services.

According to an Australian Financial Review report, three agents claim to have received missives saying ‘These documents contain confidential and financially sensitive information,’ and ‘You must not share them with others.’ Within First National Real Estate, some have been asked to sign broad non-disclosure agreements to receive more details on their own suburb pricing.

From July this year, some agency fees are said to have increased by as much as 110 per cent for the highest tier of listing.

‘The ACCC is concerned to ensure there is strong competition in the important real estate sector,” a spokeswoman for the regulator said. “As the investigation is ongoing, the ACCC won’t comment further at this time. The investigation is at an early stage, and we’re yet to form a view.’

Aussie Home Loans launches FREE property portal

👓 20 second read

Aussie Home Loans has launched its ‘Find. Buy. Own.’ advertising campaign, with a new no-cost listings platform at the centre of its strategy as it targets an end-to-end property ownership journey.

Directly challenging the major players, Aussie says it already has over 100,000 listings on its Aussie for Agents website, which promises ‘VPA-free listings forever’.