The real estate industry is no stranger to high staff turnover, especially in property management. In fact, 35% of property managers changed jobs in the last financial year (23-24), according to Macquarie Business Banking’s 2023 Real Estate Benchmarking Report (Real Estate Business).

That’s more than one in three professionals walking out the door. And when they leave, they take their knowledge, experience, and client relationships with them – leaving agencies scrambling to fill the gaps.

By why is turnover so high? A big part of the problem is poor onboarding and training. New property managers are often thrown into the deep end, expected to navigate multiple systems, endless logins, and complex workflows with little guidance. And when they struggle, frustration sets in, leading to burnout and resignation.

So, how do we fix it? Better training.

1. The problem with onboarding in property management

Imagine starting a new job and being handed a pile of different software logins, checklists, and processes to learn – on top of your actual workload.

That’s exactly what happens in many real estate agencies. New property managers are expected to figure things out as they go, with little structure or support. The result?

• ‍Longer onboarding times – It takes weeks (or even months) for new hires to get up to speed.‍
• Frustration and disengagement – Confusion leads to stress, which leads to turnover.‍
• More mistakes – Unclear processes result in errors that impact clients and team performance.

If you want property managers to stick around and thrive, onboarding can’t be an afterthought – it needs to be a priority. 

2. How better training can reduce turnover

The best property management teams don’t just hire new staff and hope for the best. They invest in training to ensure their people are confident, capable, and ready to succeed.

Here’s how a solid training program helps:

• ‍Faster onboarding – Clear processes help new hires get up to speed quickly.‍
• More confidence – Employees who feel prepared are more likely to stick around.‍
• Better service – Well-trained property managers make fewer mistakes and provide better client experiences.‍
• Happier teams – When people feel supported, they’re more engaged and motivated.

Bottom line? When employees feel set up for success, they stay.

3. Why property managers struggle with training (and how to fix it)

One of the biggest challenges in training property managers is software overload. Too many agencies rely on multiple disconnected systems, forcing staff to juggle different logins, dashboards, and processes.

The fix? Simplifying technology.

How the right software makes training easier:

• ‍All-in-one platforms – Instead of managing five different systems, agencies can use one central property management platform.‍
• Built-in training tools – Interactive e-learning modules and knowledge bases can help new hires learn as they work.‍
• Webinars – Live and on-demand webinars give property managers a hands-on learning experience, allowing them to see the platform in action, ask questions, and gain insights to make it easier for users to understand key features.

By reducing software complexity, agencies can cut onboarding times and make training smoother for everyone.

4. Creating a training culture in your agency

Training shouldn’t stop after onboarding. If you want your team to perform at their best, continuous learning needs to be part of your agency’s culture.

Here’s how to make it happen:

• ‍Pair new hires with mentors – Experienced team members can guide newcomers and share best practices.‍
• Schedule regular training sessions – Monthly refreshers keep everyone up to date with industry changes.‍
• Track agent performance and adapt – Use feedback and analytics to tweak training for agents who may need additional assistance.‍
• Invest in upskilling – Encourage property managers to develop new skills and grow into their rolls.

When training is ongoing and well-structured, employees feel more confident, engaged, and invested in their careers – and that’s a win for everyone.

Invest in training, invest in success

High staff turnover, slow onboarding, and disconnected systems are costing your business time and money. The best way to break the cycle? Better training and smarter technology.

By prioritising structured learning, agencies can boost efficiency, improve retention, and maximise the value of their property management software.

If you’re looking for the ultimate training experience for your PM team, Fusion ’25 is the event you don’t want to miss! Whether you’re new to Console Cloud or looking to level up your skills, Fusion ’25 is designed to ensure you’re fully equipped to make the most of your platform.