Mind the Gap: Common Temp Jobs in Real Estate

Mind the Gap: Common Temp Jobs in Real Estate

Real estate is a thriving industry, accounting for 1 in 4 jobs in Australia, and what’s more, projected sector employment is an increase of 6.3% over the five years to November 2026. Real estate recruitment in Australia is an integral piece of the puzzle, especially concerning temporary employment.

Temporary jobs play a crucial role in real estate, helping companies to meet the demands of a rapidly changing market and keep pace with seasonal trends. Temporary positions provide flexibility and can serve as stepping stones for individuals seeking career growth or exploring the industry. 

Market Fluctuations

The availability of temp jobs in real estate in Australia tends to follow a seasonal flow, experiencing fluctuations throughout the year. Demand can vary across regions and agencies.

Peak Rental Seasons

Peak rental seasons generally fall during summer (December to February) and around the start or end of the academic year (late January to mid-December).

Real Estate Sales Peaks

Real estate sales often peak during specific periods, such as spring (September to November), when the weather is favourable.

Holiday Periods 

Some temporary roles experience increased demand during the holidays, as permanent staff members take time off for holidays; this is most common during school holidays, public holidays and the end-of-year festive season (December and January).

The most common temp jobs in real estate include but are not limited to:

  • Leasing Consultants
  • Property Managers
  • Inspection Managers
  • Administrators 
  • Receptionists 
  • Photographers
  • Open house assistant

Let’s look at the details of these roles to help you understand how you can align your experience with your career aspirations. 

Common Temp Jobs in Real Estate

Leasing Consultants 

Leasing Consultants handle enquiries, conduct property inspections, process applications and negotiate lease agreements. This role requires excellent interpersonal skills, knowledge of the local rental market and managing competing demands from property owners and tenants.

Property Managers 

Seasonal trends can create an abundance of temp jobs for Property Managers. Property Managers play a crucial role in overseeing the day-to-day operations of rental properties on behalf of property owners. They handle tasks such as marketing vacancies, screening tenants, collecting rent, managing maintenance requests and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. This role requires strong organisational, interpersonal and communication skills.

Inspection Managers

Inspection Managers are responsible for conducting property inspections to ensure compliance with regulations, identifying maintenance issues and assessing property conditions. They coordinate and perform routine property checks, create inspection reports and communicate findings to owners, tenants and relevant stakeholders. This role requires attention to detail, knowledge of property maintenance standards and the effective communication of findings and recommendations.

Administrators

Property Administrators are essential to the smooth operation of real estate agencies. They manage property listings, prepare contracts, conduct research and coordinate property inspections. Strong organisational and problem-solving skills and a solid understanding of real estate processes and regulations are necessary for this role. 

Receptionists

Responsible for greeting clients, answering phone calls, scheduling appointments and maintaining a professional and organised office environment, Receptionists serve as the front-line representative for every agency. This role requires excellent communication skills, attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. 

Property Photographers

High-quality photographs are crucial for attracting potential buyers or tenants. Many real estate photographers work temporarily, providing their services as needed for property listings. A creative eye, attention to detail and proficiency in photography software are essential for success in this role.

Open Home Assistants 

Open homes are an essential marketing tool. Temporary open home assistants support real estate agents by coordinating and hosting events. They assist with setting up the property, welcoming visitors, providing information and ensuring the event flows smoothly. This role requires excellent customer service skills, a friendly demeanour and the ability to manage large crowds.

Commercial Property Managers 

Commercial Property Managers oversee and maintain properties, such as office buildings, retail spaces and industrial complexes. They handle lease negotiations, tenant management, property maintenance and financial reporting and ensure regulatory compliance. This role requires strong communication and negotiation skills, knowledge of commercial real estate laws and regulations and the ability to handle complex property management tasks.

Visa Requirements

Visa requirements for the roles mentioned above may vary depending on the specific circumstances, including the applicant’s nationality, the duration of the job and the visa category. For specific and up-to-date details, we recommend consulting the Department of Home Affairs in Australia website, seeking advice from a qualified immigration professional or accessing the industry-specific information available at Australia +

Generally speaking, the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482), Working Holiday visa (subclass 417 or 462), or Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) and the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400) provide adequate permissions to embark on a temp career in property in Australia.

The Benefits of Agency Support

Charting the course of your temp career in property off your own back can be an uphill challenge and can become somewhat of a full-time job in and of itself. Partnering with a reputable recruitment agency can shift the lion’s share of the search into their capable hands. With a database of long-standing clients leaning on them to supply talent, job vacancies fall in their laps. 

Working with an agency also grants you access to some of the industry’s best. In these positions, you can build your network and develop your skill set by testing out a variety of roles. Furthermore, many temp roles can lead to offers of permanent work. According to your career objectives, a permanent offer may be worth entertaining.

Agency Alignment is Key

We recommend that you connect with a reputable real estate recruitment specialist to align your employment search efforts with the best opportunities in the sector.

Here at Real Estate Career Developers, the notion that our best work comes from diligence, authenticity and enjoying the company of the people around us drives us to do our best. We pay these values forward to every candidate we place by ensuring we connect them with a team that will value them.

So, whether you’ve set your search to temp jobs for Property Managers or casual Inspection Management roles, contact our team today to give your search the boost it deserves.