Junior Property Manager ($60k - $70k + Commissions + Bonus)
Please note: We are one of Melbourne's fastest-growing real estate agencies — and a uniquely investment-driven one, with property investment built into our own DNA.
What We Offer
Dedicated Mentorship
— You won't be thrown in the deep end. You'll work directly under a senior licensed Property Manager who will train you hands-on across every aspect of the role — from VCAT hearings to landlord negotiations. This is a real apprenticeship, not a title on paper.
Tesla Vehicle Reward
— Prove yourself in the first 6–12 months, and we'll put you in a Tesla for business and personal use. This isn't a maybe — we've already done it for team members in equivalent roles.
Employer-Sponsored Visa Pathway
— We are a qualifying sponsor. For the right person, we will genuinely support your path to permanent residency.
Competitive Package
— $60k–$70k + leasing commissions + quarterly performance bonus tied to portfolio KPIs.
Career Progression
— Junior PM → Property Manager → Senior PM / Portfolio Lead. We promote from within.
Who Should Apply — Please Read Carefully
This role is designed as a
structured graduate-style development program
. We are investing heavily in finding one person to train from the ground up into a senior property manager over the next 2–3 years. Because of this, we have very specific requirements about who this role suits — and who it doesn't.
This role IS for you if:
You are
early in your career
(ideally 1–3 years of professional experience in any field) and ready for your first or second serious role
You already hold a
Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice (Agent's Representative)
, or you are committed to completing it before your start date (we are happy to issue a conditional offer and support you in completing the certificate.)
You are looking for a role where you will be
mentored, challenged, and developed
— not left to figure things out alone
You are a
Mandarin–English bilingual
(our client base is predominantly Mandarin-speaking, and internal communication regularly switches between both languages — this is a genuine occupational requirement, not a preference)
You have the
energy and stamina
for a physically demanding, road-based role (150+ km of driving on open-inspection days, carrying signage, being on your feet for hours)
This role is NOT for you if:
You have
more than 2 years of property management experience
. This is not a mid-level or senior PM position. We are building a dedicated training pipeline and will not consider experienced PMs for this role. We will be advertising a Senior Property Manager position separately — follow our page if that interests you.
You are looking for a
predictable 9-to-5 routine
. This role includes mandatory weekend work (one day per weekend, with a weekday off in lieu), and the pace is relentless during peak leasing periods.
You prefer to
work independently with minimal oversight
. Our first 6–12 months involve intensive training, real-time feedback loops, and very close supervision. If you find frequent feedback stressful rather than motivating, this environment will not suit you.
About Optima REA
/




Optima REA is a rapid-growing, tech-forward property management agency serving Melbourne's eastern and south-eastern suburbs. We manage residential rental portfolios for investors — primarily sourced through our affiliated buyer's agency — covering everything from pre-settlement inspections through to ongoing tenancy management, maintenance coordination, VCAT representation, and lease renewals.
The Role
You will be the
on-the-ground property manager
for a growing portfolio (~100 properties), supported by a full admin, leasing, and accounting team so you can focus on fieldwork and property-level decision-making.
A Typical Week
2 days on the road
: conducting open-for-inspections (OFIs), routine inspections, entry/exit condition reports, key handovers, and on-site renovation supervision. Expect to visit 8–10 properties on heavy OFI days and drive approximately
******* km per week
.
2 days in-office / hybrid
: reviewing maintenance quotes, preparing VCAT documentation, coordinating with the offshore team, attending internal training sessions, and handling landlord communications.
1 weekend day is mandatory
(Saturday or Sunday, rotating). You will receive a weekday off in lieu.
Core Responsibilities
Inspections & Fieldwork
Host all open-for-inspections, assess prospective tenants on the spot, and report to the leasing team
Conduct pre-settlement final inspections, photograph defects, and compile repair priority reports (P1: statutory compliance → P2: listing-ready → P3: post-move-in)
Complete entry and exit condition reports using PropertyMe templates (photo + written documentation)
Conduct routine inspections every 6 months and produce inspection reports for landlord review
Leasing & Tenancy
Evaluate tenant applications alongside the screening team (reference checks, TICA/NTD database, income verification) and provide your professional recommendation to landlords
Prepare and review lease agreements, including Special Conditions (pets, utilities, parking allocations for multi-unit properties)
Manage key handovers (in-person or via lockbox) and provide printed move-in guides
Handle lease renewals, rent increases (60-day notice), and break-lease negotiations
Maintenance & Compliance
Triage maintenance requests and ensure all quotes meet the Valid Quote standard (fixed price + variation statement + call-out fee + scope confirmation) before forwarding to landlords
Manage urgent repairs within the $2,500 statutory limit, including same-day landlord reporting for after-hours callouts
Monitor safety check expiry dates (smoke alarms every 12 months, gas and electrical every 24 months) and coordinate re-certification
Ensure Victorian Minimum Rental Standards are met across all managed properties
VCAT & Disputes




Draft Notices to Vacate for arrears exceeding 15 days (reviewed and co-signed by the Director)
Prepare VCAT applications and represent the agency at hearings
Handle bond claims, RTBA submissions, and tenant dispute resolution
Financial Oversight
Monitor rent receipts on PropertyMe Dashboard (Monday / Wednesday / Friday checks)
Escalate arrears per our structured timeline
Support monthly trust account reconciliation and disbursement under Director supervision
What We're Looking For
Must-Have
Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice:
Current, or willing to complete before start date. We will issue a conditional offer for the right candidate who is actively enrolled.
Victorian Driver's Licence:
Current and full. You will be driving every day.
Own vehicle (initially):
You will need reliable access to a car from Day 1. See below for our vehicle incentive program.
Australian work rights:
Full work rights required. For an exceptional candidate, we are a qualifying employer and genuinely willing to explore
employer-sponsored visa pathways
— this is not an empty promise, but it is reserved for someone who demonstrates they are the right long-term fit.
Mandarin–English bilingual:
Fluent in both. Our landlord base communicates primarily in Mandarin; all compliance documentation and tenant-facing communication is in English. You will switch between both languages dozens of times per day. This is a genuine occupational requirement under the Equal Opportunity Act **** (Vic), s 26.
Strongly Preferred
1–3 years of professional experience
(any industry): We want someone who understands workplace norms — meeting deadlines, managing up, handling difficult conversations — but is still early enough in their career to absorb our systems and processes without unlearning ingrained habits from another agency.
High digital literacy:
You will operate across 6+ software platforms daily (PropertyMe, PandaDoc, Lark, TAPI, REA portal, Google Workspace). We need someone who picks up new tools fast and doesn't resist technology. If your first instinct when something doesn't work is to call IT rather than troubleshoot it yourself, you will struggle here.
Physical stamina and comfort with driving:
This is not a desk job. On heavy inspection days, you will be on your feet for 8 hours straight, moving between properties, carrying inspection equipment, and driving 150+ km. You need to genuinely enjoy being on the road.
Growth mindset over comfort-seeking:
We provide intensive mentoring, but we also provide intensive feedback. You will receive direct, real-time corrections — sometimes multiple times a day in your first few months. We need someone who treats that as accelerated learning, not personal criticism.
Dealbreakers — Do Not Apply If:
You have
2+ years of property management experience
. We will not consider your application regardless of other qualifications. This role exists to develop new talent from scratch.
You are not prepared for
mandatory weekend work
(one day per weekend, every week).
You are uncomfortable with
full call recording and screen recording
as a standard workplace practice.
You would describe your ideal work environment as "relaxed", "autonomous", or "low-pressure".
#J-*****-Ljbffr

📌 Junior Property Manager ($60K - $70K + Commissions + Bonus) (Melbourne)
🏢 Optima REA
📍 Melbourne