As South Australia's property market continues to evolve, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals to navigate its complexities.

From urban growth to regulatory changes, the industry is experiencing a surge in the need for experts in various roles which are critical to ensuring smooth transactions, strategic growth, and compliance with changing laws and market conditions.

So, if you're thinking about a job change in any of these areas, you will be in the 'power seat' when it comes to opportunities in 2025.

Residential Property Managers

As South Australia sees continued high demand for rental properties, residential property managers are more crucial than ever. The residential real estate sector continues to experience a lingering shortage of quality residential property managers, leaving many agencies stretching resources to manage their rent rolls.

We’ve noticed an improvement in the offering employers are willing to make to entice candidates including increased salaries and improved benefits and working arrangements.

Agencies are also offering roles at various levels to build their teams, creating opportunities to enter the profession at varying level of experience. This was confirmed in a recent interview between Edge's Managing Director Peta Seaman and the CEO of Turner Real Estate, Emma Slape. Emma said, "we tend to look for either a really senior property manager or we'll look for someone more junior and work with them to train them up… So having that sort of senior and junior… they’re really important in assisting the senior people.”

In years past, property manager salaries have been relatively low compared to roles with similar levels of responsibility (lingering perception about lower pay levels may be another reason for the candidate shortage), however salaries in the property management industry continue to improve.

Commercial Property Managers

Due to South Australia’s growing commercial sector, the demand for skilled commercial property managers is on the rise. As more businesses look to establish or expand their presence in South Australia, commercial property managers are playing a critical role in maintaining and growing these valuable assets.

There is also a good level of investor activity and interest in the Adelaide commercial and industrial market at the moment. Employers are willing to sweeten the deal to attract quality candidates in this space.

Retail Property Managers

Retail property managers are in high demand as South Australia continues to see the evolution of its retail landscape. With the growth of shopping centres, high-street shops, and commercial retail spaces, the role of retail property managers has become increasingly essential. 

In 2025, as the retail sector adapts to changing consumer behaviours, including the growth of e-commerce and the shifting dynamics of brick-and-mortar shopping, retail property managers will need to be particularly adept at navigating these challenges. 

There is a relatively small number of retail property managers in SA, so there isn’t a huge pool of experienced candidates to draw upon, which puts anyone experienced in this field in the box seat when considering a job change.

Conveyancers

In 2025, conveyancers are in high demand in South Australia's property industry due to several factors driving the complexity and volume of property transactions. With ongoing population growth and a strong demand for both residential and commercial properties, more people are buying, selling, and investing in real estate. This has led to an increase in the need for professional expertise to navigate the intricacies of property laws, contracts, and local regulations. 

Additionally, the evolving landscape of property taxes, zoning laws, and sustainability initiatives has made the role of conveyancers even more critical. As South Australians face increased market uncertainty, conveyancers offer vital guidance to ensure smooth transactions, mitigate risks, and handle the legal details of property deals. Their role in managing the legal complexities has made them indispensable for buyers, sellers, and real estate agents alike.

Tenancy Officers (Community Housing)

As South Australia grapples with an increasing demand for affordable housing, government initiatives to increase affordable housing, and a growing focus on tenant welfare, tenancy officers in the community housing sector are in high demand. 

With tenants requiring both guidance and support in navigating housing systems, the need for experienced professionals who can manage relationships, resolve disputes, and ensure compliance is vital. Additionally, South Australia’s focus on social inclusion and community-oriented policies has created further opportunities in this role.

Project Managers

Project managers specialising in the state's building sector are seeing increased demand as the state embarks on a wave of construction projects aimed at modernising its infrastructure. From schools to hospitals and public housing, South Australia is heavily invested in enhancing its built environment, creating numerous opportunities for experienced project managers.

The growing scale and complexity of state construction projects, combined with a desire for efficiency and cost-effectiveness, have highlighted the need for skilled project managers who can navigate the challenges of both private and public sector collaboration. As demand for new and upgraded facilities continues to rise, project managers are essential to driving the success of these major initiatives. This has created a competitive job market for experienced professionals in this field, with attractive incentives being offered to secure top talent.

Contract Managers

Contract managers in the state’s building sector are experiencing a surge in demand due to South Australia's significant infrastructure development and urban regeneration projects. With major initiatives underway such as new housing developments, public facilities, and transport upgrades, the need for skilled professionals who can oversee contract management and ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget has never been higher.

As government investment in infrastructure grows, there is a noticeable shortage of professionals with the necessary experience, putting contract managers in high demand. Furthermore, South Australia's emphasis on sustainable building practices and innovation has led to the need for contract managers with specialised knowledge in green building standards and environmental compliance.

Lease Administrators

Lease administrators who can manage the administrative process of putting together commercial and retail leases are hard to find in the Adelaide market. A major contributor to this low supply is the lack of companies who have property departments in Adelaide, as most commonly they are based in the eastern states.

Locally, lease administration is most likely to be handled by a commercial or retail property manager and often they will be aided by a administrative staff or a property assistant.

We are more likely to be able to recruit commercial property management assistants with some leasing experience in their skill set. These factors make pure lease administrators hard to find locally and in turn causes people with these skills to be in high demand.

Residential Sales Administrators

The boom in residential sales in SA is unlike anything we have seen before! Many sales departments had scaled back and automated or outsourced sales administration duties in the last 3-5 years, but the sheer volume of residential enquiries and sales since earlier this year means that sales departments have boomed, and they need more support.

These roles have been in particularly high demand so far this year, meaning job seekers are in a commanding position to pick and choose the best jobs opportunities and negotiate favourable terms.