More practitioners seek property investment advice qualification: PIPA

Ben Kingsley

With the provision of property investment advice continuing to go unregulated by the Federal Government, the Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA), is experiencing strong demand for its property investment advice course as practitioners from a range of backgrounds seek to incorporate qualified property investment advice into their service offering.

Over the year to September, the number of students enrolled in PIPA’s QPIA (Qualified Property Investment Adviser) course increased by 36 per cent, with 233 students currently enrolled in the specialist qualification.

PIPA Chair Ben Kingsley said it was encouraging to see professionals opting to proactively increase the professionalism of the property investment industry.

“Although property investment advice still remains unregulated, we are committed to driving higher standards to protect consumers and ensure they benefit from the wealth creation benefits that well-selected, strategic property investment can bring.

“Property has become a favoured investment class among Australian investors and one that requires as much due diligence as any other asset. We are seeing practitioners from a range of backgrounds, including mortgage broking, financial planning and real estate services, formalise their property investment knowledge to offer a professional, qualified service.”

Mr Kingsley said there were several catalysts driving the trend.

“In many cases it’s inbound demand from clients looking for assistance with their property investment strategies. In other cases, we hear that practitioners are simply becoming aware of clients’ less than strategic approach to property investment and they’re looking for a way to help. There is also growing recognition that property investment advice is simply very complementary to a range of professions.”

Enhanced professional development focus

As PIPA’s membership grows, the association has been focusing on growing its team and professional development offering to enhance support for members.

Nicola McDougall has joined as the association’s new part-time Corporate Affairs Manager while Peter Mastroianni has been appointed as PIPA’s part-time Members Officer.

Ms McDougall, who also sits on the PIPA board, brings a decade of experience in property research, analysis and journalism. She will work closely with Chair Ben Kingsley to raise the profile of the association and grow its professional development offering.

Ms McDougall will also work in close partnership with Mr Mastroianni, who will be responsible for membership recruitment and engagement, ensuring PIPA continues to grow and evolve to meet its members’ needs.

In line with its enhanced focus on professional development, PIPA will launch its inaugural member breakfast series in Sydney this week, followed by Melbourne and Brisbane. The events will offer members an exclusive capital city market review from CoreLogic expert analysts Tim Lawless and Cameron Kusher, and an association update from Ben Kingsley.

“As the association grows, we are focused on building out our professional development offering to provide members with more networking opportunities and valuable insights to support them to service Australia’s property investment community,” Mr Kingsley said.