Property development education in Australia offers pathways from world-class university degrees to grassroots YouTube channels, serving everyone from complete beginners to seasoned professionals looking to sharpen their skills. Whether you’re asking “how to become a property developer” or seeking advanced training in feasibility analysis, this guide examines every credible education option available in 2025.
The Australian property development education landscape has evolved dramatically, with over 150 distinct providers offering courses ranging from free online content to $57,000 university programs. Our comprehensive analysis reveals the best options across six key categories: formal university education, serious private training, professional certifications, online courses, content creators, and industry networking groups.
Most importantly, this guide helps you choose the right educational pathway based on your current experience, budget, and career goals. From Queensland’s leading universities to Melbourne’s networking groups, we’ve mapped the complete ecosystem of property development education in Australia.
Formal University Education: Professional Qualifications & Industry Recognition
Queensland’s Property Development Leaders
Bond University offers Australia’s most comprehensive property development education across three programs. Their Bachelor of Property (240 credit points) covers “every aspect of property development, the management and sale life cycle” with 19 compulsory foundation subjects including construction practices, feasibility studies, finance, investment and valuation, and sustainable development.
Bond’s Master of Valuation and Property Development provides international recognition through Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Australian Property Institute (API) accreditation. The curriculum includes advanced property finance and investment, feasibility analysis, asset management, and comprehensive property valuation training.
For professionals seeking concentrated education, Bond’s Graduate Certificate of Valuation and Property Development delivers foundational knowledge in just one semester (4 subjects), covering property investment, valuation, development, and real estate property rights.
National University Leaders
University of New South Wales (UNSW) maintains Australia’s premier property development programs. Their Master of Property and Development can be completed in 1.7 years full-time (or 1 year accelerated) with accreditation from the Australian Institute of Building, Australian Property Institute, and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
UNSW’s Built Environment school ranks #1 in Sydney and #23 globally, featuring VR and immersive technology equipped learning spaces. The university has also been awarded Most Employable students for six consecutive years, providing graduates with exceptional career prospects.
University of Technology Sydney (UTS) offers both Graduate Diploma and Master of Property Development programs. Graduates meet educational requirements for Certified Property Practitioner (CPP) and Certified Development Practitioner (CDP) with the Australian Property Institute, plus RICS pathway certification.
RMIT University delivers the Bachelor of Property Development, Investment and Valuation (Honours), regarded as the industry’s most respected property degree for over five decades. Fully accredited by API and RICS, the program connects students with 350+ industry partners including GPT Group, Stockland, JLL, and Mirvac.
RMIT ranks #1 in Australia for Built Environment studies and maintains the strongest industry connections through their Employer of Choice program, providing direct pathways to major developers and property companies.
Serious Private Training: Industry Veterans & Proven Systems
Property Mastermind: Australia’s Most Experienced Educator
Property Mastermind, led by Bob Andersen and Hilary Saxton, represents Australia’s most established private property development education provider. With over 4,000 graduates and Bob’s 40+ years experience across $1.3 billion in projects, Property Mastermind offers several program tiers designed for different experience levels.
Bob Andersen’s credentials include managing projects for Queensland’s largest developer, joint ventures with ASX-listed companies, and expertise spanning subdivisions, townhouses, apartments, and retirement villages. His education approach covers the complete development process from site selection to settlement, with particular strength in creative financing strategies including “no money down” deals.
Property Mastermind’s programs range from the Getting Started Course ($995) through to the Ultimate Developer Bundle ($3,495) and premium mentoring programs providing unlimited one-on-one access. Their regular 3-day Gold Coast workshops combine intensive education with networking opportunities, while their private Facebook community provides ongoing support.
Property Developer Network: Australia’s Largest Networking Group
Property Developer Network (PDN), founded by Rob Flux in 2012, has grown to become Australia’s largest property networking organisation with monthly meetups across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Rob brings unique experience building wealth twice – first through traditional property investment, then recovering from divorce to achieve financial freedom through active property development.
PDN’s Property Development Formula program includes monthly meetups featuring industry expert presentations covering every aspect of development teams, “Real Deals” case studies from actual member projects, and their unique “masterminding” process for group problem-solving. Their annual conferences feature JV matchmaking opportunities, while dedicated Facebook groups provide access to off-market development sites.
What sets PDN apart is their community-driven learning approach and Rob’s ambitious goal of setting 1,000 people financially free by 2030. Their annual membership model ($1 for first 30 days) provides access to all events, recordings, supplier discounts, and the supportive community network.
Emerging Private Educators
The Little Fish Network, led by Peter Kelly (developer of $500+ million in residential projects), disrupts traditional pricing with free access to their $20K Townhouse Masterclass. Their platform serves 3,000+ developers with practical content on townhouses, knockdown rebuilds, and dual occupancy developments.
Property Development Institute (PDI) won Best Property Development Training Provider awards from 2020-2023, offering tiered programs from fundamentals to advanced levels with corporate team training options.
Professional Body Certifications & Industry Training
Australian Property Institute Programs
The Australian Property Institute serves 8,000 members nationwide with the industry-standard Certified Development Practitioner (CDP) program. This comprehensive 8-module, self-paced program covers market analysis through construction management, providing professional certification with post-nominal recognition.
The CDP qualification has become essential for serious property development professionals, offering credibility with lenders, investors, and industry peers. The program’s flexibility allows working professionals to study around their commitments while maintaining currency with industry best practices.
Property Council Academy
The Property Council of Australia operates the Property Council Academy with comprehensive offerings from 1-day core courses ($950) to the full Property Development Industry Diploma. Their partnership with RMIT University enables diploma graduates to receive Masters degree credit, while member organisations receive up to 20% discounts on training.
Property Council programs feature industry expert presenters and provide excellent networking opportunities with established developers, planners, and property professionals across Australia.
Urban Development Institute Training
Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) maintains state-specific programs addressing local market conditions and planning requirements. UDIA NSW’s Development Essentials covers four key modules, while Queensland’s “develop” program offers multiple pathways for different experience levels.
UDIA programs excel in providing location-specific training addressing state variations in planning laws, development assessment processes, and market conditions – crucial knowledge often missing from generic national programs.
Online Courses & Digital Learning Platforms
Affordable Online Options
Udemy hosts relevant courses including Ron Forlee’s “Australian Residential Property Development” series, drawing on 40 years of local experience. Courses typically range from $19.99 to $94.99 (frequently discounted), making them accessible entry points for beginners exploring property development concepts.
Coursera provides university-backed content including relevant international programs, though limited Australian-specific property development content exists on the platform. The University of Michigan’s “Real Estate Development: Building Value in Your Community” offers foundational concepts applicable to Australian contexts.
YouTube Content Creators & Free Education
Australian Property Development Channels
Property Developer Network YouTube features Rob Flux’s regular “Sunday Sessions” covering development strategies, real deal case studies, and industry updates. The channel serves as an extension of their networking events with practical insights from actual developments and member experiences.
Peter Kelly Property provides practical insights from a developer with $500+ million in completed projects. Peter’s channel focuses on townhouse development, dual occupancy projects, and knockdown rebuilds with real-world case studies and practical advice for smaller-scale developers.
Kent Cliffe offers property development insights with a focus on practical strategies and market analysis. Kent’s content covers development opportunities, market trends, and strategic approaches to property development in the Australian market.
Podcasts & Audio Learning
Property Development Specific Podcasts
Property Developer Podcast serves as the dedicated platform for Australian property development education. The podcast covers the complexities of development projects, approval processes, financing strategies, and market analysis specific to Australian conditions.
Pizza and Property combines casual conversation with serious property development insights. Their podcast format makes complex development concepts accessible to beginners while providing depth for experienced investors.
Broader Property Education Podcasts
Australian Property Podcast by Rask Media reaches 30,000+ unique listeners with episodes every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Their free Property 101 course complements regular content featuring hosts Owen Rask, Amy Lunardi, Pete Wargent, and Chris Bates discussing market trends and investment strategies.
Networking Groups & Industry Events
Property Developer Network Events
Beyond their education programs, Property Developer Network runs monthly networking events across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. These events feature industry expert presentations, real deal case studies, and their unique “masterminding” process for collaborative problem-solving.
Their annual conferences provide opportunities for joint venture partnerships, supplier connections, and access to off-market development opportunities through their dedicated Facebook groups and business directories.
Industry Association Events
Property Council events provide access to Australia’s most senior property professionals, with regular networking functions, policy briefings, and development showcases across all major cities.
Urban Development Institute state events focus on local development opportunities, planning updates, and networking with developers, planners, and suppliers operating in specific markets.
Choosing the Right Educational Pathway
For Complete Beginners
Start with free content from Property Developer Podcast, Peter Kelly Property and Property Developer Network YouTube. For structured beginner-focused education, consider Rising Star Developer’s free training sessions which are specifically designed for complete newcomers to property development. Then progress to either Property Developer Network membership or Rising Star Developer’s Inner Circle for ongoing structured learning and community support.
For Serious Career Changers
Consider Property Mastermind’s Getting Started Course for comprehensive foundation knowledge, combined with Property Developer Network membership for ongoing support and deal flow access.
For Existing Property Professionals
Pursue Australian Property Institute CDP certification for professional credibility, supplemented by Property Council Academy programs for advanced technical knowledge.
For Formal Qualification Seekers
Choose between Bond University’s Master of Valuation and Property Development for maximum flexibility, UNSW’s Master of Property and Development for prestige.
Integration with Professional Tools
Regardless of your chosen educational pathway, successful property development requires robust feasibility analysis and financial modeling capabilities. While courses provide theoretical knowledge and strategic frameworks, practical application demands professional-grade tools for site evaluation, development feasibility analysis, and project financial management.
Modern property development education increasingly emphasises the integration of technology platforms that can model different development scenarios, assess funding requirements, and track project performance throughout the development lifecycle. This technological competency has become as important as traditional development knowledge in today’s market.
Future Trends in Property Development Education
The property development education landscape continues evolving toward greater practical application, technology integration, and sustainability focus. Emerging trends include:
- Digital twin technology for project visualization and risk assessment
- ESG integration addressing environmental, social, and governance requirements
- Alternative funding education covering crowd-funding, syndication, and development funds
- Regional market specialization addressing specific local planning and market conditions
- Micro-credential programs allowing targeted skill development without full qualification commitment
Educational providers increasingly recognize that successful property developers need both traditional development knowledge and modern technological capabilities to compete effectively in today’s market.
The most successful graduates combine formal education or proven private training with practical experience, industry networking, and access to professional-grade feasibility analysis tools that enable confident decision-making throughout the development process.