The PSAQ is a registered industrial organisation. It was established in 1974, for the express purpose of providing industry-based industrial representation for real estate salespeople (which under Queensland law, includes property management employees).
The PSAQ Committee of Management members reflect a diversity of backgrounds and experience, but are all (or have been) real estate sales people or property managers with extensive experience. With the exception of the full time State Secretary and the two Vice Presidents, all of the Committee positions are voluntary, with Committee members giving freely of their time to manage the Association.
From its inception, the PSAQ was specifically instructed by its membership to "maintain the status quo" (in terms of employment arrangements), whereby the majority of sales people were employed on commission only. In 1994, however, some mainstream unions apparently saw the Real Estate Industry as being "fair game", and so in response to this, the PSAQ went back to its membership in 1995, and sought instructions as to what the Industry now wanted.
There was overwhelming support given to introduction of an Award, as long as it reflected the unique relationship that exists between employers and employees in the Real Estate Industry. The desire was that there be:
- A "safety net" for people who were new to the industry (in terms of a guaranteed income); and
- For those who so choose, the opportunity to earn over and above the minimum income.
A revitalised committee was elected in 1995, and the committee pursued the goal of introducing an award which was realistic in its outcome. The Property Sales Award, Queensland became law on 13 December 1996, and was implemented on 1 July 1997.
Even though many people had said for some time that "the award will change the Industry forever" (and they were right), the changes were both different and slower than what most expected. Many predicted that the award would see a dramatic reduction in the number of salespeople and offices in the Industry. Some expected that "the award would clean up the Industry overnight". Others believed that "union control of the industry would destroy it forever". None of these predictions was true.
What did occur was that, for the first time, an industry-based organisation was able to focus on the legitimate employment needs of those who work in the industry:
- Minimum training requirements;
- Systems to make employers accountable for their promises - especially to do with payment of commission;
- Recompense for out-of-pocket expenses (e.g. mobile phone & car allowances for property management employees);
- Long service leave; and
- Correct payment of superannuation.
With the above issues in mind:
- A first-ever traineeship for salespeople and property managers was established in September 1997;
- The Property Sales Award was revised in 1999 to give greater protection to commission earnings;
- In 2001 the subject of long service leave was resolved (with entitlements for above-award incomes now being payable on the employee's actual rate of earnings);
- The PSAQ successfully lobbied the State Government to introduce minimum entry-level training for property managers and salespeople (this also came into effect in 2001) and;
- In 2002 (after three years of negotiation and industry consultation), the first-ever property management award was introduced.
- Both awards were extensively revised, and replaced by new awards, from 30 November 2005.
Other issues that have emerged in recent times (and in which the PSAQ is closely involved) include:
- the Federal Real Estate Industry Award 2010.
- the proposed National Licensing System.
In summary, the PSAQ is about ensuring that sales and property management employees in Queensland's real estate industry have a legitimate "voice", and that they are properly represented in all matters which affect their employment.
Is the PSAQ succeeding in its aims? We'll let you decide …
