Don’t be classed as a property spruiker

Join Australia’s leading property investment professionals now and become a PIPA member

 

Be recognised as an ethical, professional property investment specialist in your field by joining the Property Investment Professionals of Australia.

PIPA is the peak professional association for all practitioners engaged within any aspect of the property investment industry.

Whether you;re a mortgage broker, financial planner, accountant, real estate agent or property manager, if you or your business plays any part in the property investment process, recognition as a trusted specialist will set you apart from the competition in the eyes of consumers.

PIPA’s ‘Property Spruiker’ advertising campaign seeks to warn Australian property investors about the dangers of unscrupulous operators and highlight the high standards of professionalism PIPA members offer.

               

            

Who is PIPA?

The Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA) is a not-for-profit  association established by industry practitioners with the objective of representing and raising the professional standards of all operators involved within property investment.

Since its inception, PIPA has developed codes of ethics and conduct as well as professional standards of accreditation and education for the property investment industry, including its unique Property Investment Adviser Accreditation course.

PIPA is actively lobbying the federal government to bring property investment advice into a regulatory framework. Until such regulation is introduced, PIPA strives to provide the public with warnings and guidance about working with ethical and professional industry practitioners and continues to advocate best practice across the property investment industry.

PIPA is the peak professional association for all practitioners engaged within any aspect of the property investment industry. Whether you’re a mortgage broker, financial planner, accountant, real estate agent or property manager, if you or your business plays any part in the property investment process, recognition as a trusted specialist will set you apart from the competition in the eyes of consumers.

Why should property investment be regulated?

Unlike other asset classes such as shares, property is not recognised as a ‘financial product’ by ASIC and remains without any regulatory framework. This means that anyone is free to potentially provide property investment advice without any qualifications or credentials or even genuine experience.

The danger this poses is significant, given that property is often the most expensive type of transaction an investor can enter into. (In December 2013 the median Australian house price sat at $557,556 (Australian Property Monitors, February 2014).)

The lack of regulation is even more disquieting given the emerging interest in property investment via self-managed super funds. Poor investment decisions within a SMSF pose very real concerns for the retirements of potentially millions of Australians.

In addition to providing the required protections for innocent consumers, property regulation is also in the best interests of the Australian economy. The property industry underpins Australia in three key facts: employment and economic growth,the provision of shelter and its potential to support Australians to generate wealth and finance their retirements.

Failure to appropriately govern the property investment industry could see substantial financial fall-outs, with severe consequences for the Australian economy.

Why should property investors look for PIPA members?

In an unregulated market place, the PIPA logo offers consumers confidence that they are dealing with a property professional.

PIPA members must meet minimum education and accreditation standards as well as complete compulsory professional development annually, so investors can be certain they are dealing with a property professional with the highest standards of education.

In addition to qualifications, PIPA members adhere to a strict code of conduct and disclosure policy, underpinning their commitment to ethical practices and ensuring investors are well informed of all payment processes and any commission arrangements.

Who can become a PIPA member?

PIPA members are not only property investment advisers. Membership is open to any professionals whose business operations form part of the property investment process. Our members include:

• Property investment advisers
• Mortgage brokers
• Financial planners
• Property buyers and advocates
• Accountants
• Property managers
• Conveyancers and solicitors
• Education and research providers
• Real estate agents
• Property developers and builders
• Lenders
• Building and pest inspectors

PIPA offers both individual and corporate memberships.

What does membership offer?

PIPA members subscribe to a voluntary Code of Conduct, which ensures integrity, disclosure and excellence of service.

Membership is ideal for any practitioners who wish to highlight their expertise in working with property investors and is an indication of best practice, positioning members as ethical, trustworthy practitioners.

For property investment advisers in particular, membership supports ethical professionals to stand apart from unscrupulous operators, in an industry without any regulatory framework.

PIPA also offers property advisers the only diploma level qualified property investment adviser course in Australia.

Compliance with PIPA’s Code of Conduct will ensure PIPA members will be ahead of the game, once regulation of property investment is in place.

You can find out more about the benefits of becoming a PIPA member by clicking here

What is QPIA?

PIPA’s Qualified Property Investment Adviser accreditation is a diploma level accreditation program for professionals wishing to develop their career in property investment advice.

The course is ideal for both new entrants to the industry, as well as existing industry participants, looking to perfect their knowledge and skills and receive endorsement for their expertise.

The course takes a blended approach to assessment, consisting of an exam and an assignment for each module. The course has a flexible, self-paced structure, which enables professionals to complete the six modules at a suitable pace.

PIPA also recognises professionals’ existing skills and will consider applications for recognition of prior learning.

For more information download a copy of the PIPA Accreditation Program Overview

To enrol in the PIPA Accreditation Program click here