Australia’s property management industry – the backbone of the rental market and a significant driver of the real estate economy – is set to receive long-overdue national recognition with the launch of a new conference and awards program.
The REB Property Management Excellence Awards celebrate the exceptional achievements of individuals, offices, and networks within Australia’s real estate property management sector.
Momentum Media’s real estate brand, REB’s Property Management Excellence (PMX) Conference and Awards will be held in Sydney on 27 November 2025, marking the first time property managers have had a national platform of their own to celebrate the profession, showcase innovation, and recognise outstanding achievement.
The conference will be hosted by Tom Panos, one of Australia’s leading real estate coaches and commentators. He opened his first real estate office at just 22 and has been immersed in the industry for more than 30 years.
Panos is recognised for teaching property managers and principals how to scale their businesses and embrace innovation. As well as hosting the conference, Panos will deliver a major keynote on exceptional rent roll growth strategies as part of the packed agenda.
The day will conclude with REB’s PMX Awards providing the sector with a dedicated platform to celebrate achievement. Submissions are now open via the awards website.
The full agenda for the inaugural REB PMX Conference will be unveiled on Monday, 8 September.
A critical pillar of the housing system
While sales agents often dominate the spotlight in real estate, the property management sector is an equally important pillar of the industry, sustaining the day-to-day operations of agencies and housing millions of Australians.
Census data shows that around one in three households across the country rent their homes, making property management central to Australia’s housing framework. Of these, approximately 1.9 million dwellings are professionally managed by agencies, with an estimated $62 billion in rent flowing through the sector annually.
According to the Australian Taxation Office, more than 2.2 million individual landlords rely on property managers to safeguard and grow their investments, while tenants depend on them for housing security, property maintenance, and dispute resolution. The result is a profession that plays a dual role: protecting the financial interests of property owners while also ensuring a stable and functioning rental system for a third of the nation.
Despite this, many within the industry feel that property managers have historically been undervalued, with their contributions often overlooked compared to their peers in sales.
Recognition long overdue
REB managing editor Liam Garman said the PMX program reflects the scale of the sector’s contribution and addresses the need for recognition.
“Property managers work long hours and carry enormous responsibility, but too often their efforts are invisible,” Garman said.
“Unlike sales, where a property transaction ends once the deal is closed, property management is a continuous service. Every day, property managers are balancing the needs of landlords and tenants, ensuring compliance, handling arrears, overseeing maintenance, and managing relationships that directly impact housing outcomes for millions of Australians.”
Garman said that pressure can take a toll on individuals in the sector, who frequently work under high stress and with limited acknowledgement.
“Property management is an essential service in both economic and social terms. It generates billions in revenue for agencies and landlords, it supports employment across the industry, and it underpins the housing of renters nationwide. Recognising excellence in this profession is long overdue.”
Conference and awards to spotlight innovation and success
The PMX Conference will run during the day at Sydney’s Ilumina venue and will feature leading speakers from across the country. The program will explore strategies for agency growth, the technologies and practices driving innovation, and the leadership approaches that are shaping the future of property management. It is expected to draw a broad audience, including property managers, BDMs, leasing specialists, principals, and franchise executives.
In the evening, the PMX Awards will celebrate excellence across the sector, recognising individuals and teams delivering standout results in areas such as customer service, innovation, leadership, and business development. The program will not only highlight the achievements of high performers, but also serve as inspiration for others across the profession.
Looking ahead
With mounting pressures on the rental market, property management’s role is more critical than ever. The profession sits at the intersection of housing supply, affordability, and investor confidence, and its performance has implications for millions of Australians.
The launch of the PMX Conference and Awards reflects that importance, offering property managers both recognition and a national stage to showcase the future of their profession.
“The forces that shaped real estate in the past will not be the same as those driving it into the future,” Garman said.
“Property management will be at the forefront of that change, and REB is proud to provide a platform that recognises and celebrates the people leading it.”