In September 2015, while still in the seventh grade, Sukhraj’s parents made the decision to leave India for Australia.
It meant leaving behind grandparents, aunties, cousins, and a deeply rooted extended family stretching from India to the UK, Canada, and Italy.
The move was driven by a single, powerful goal: security and stability for Sukhraj and his brother.
That sacrifice became the foundation of Sukhraj’s fierce drive.
Real estate was always in the background of the Nijjar household, but no one had ever ventured into sales.
Sukhraj changed that.
Driven by a clear vision for his future, he completed his real estate certificate while still finishing high school.
On the morning of his 18th birthday - the very first day he was legally allowed - he walked into the Office of Fair Trading to register his licence.
His entry into the industry wasn't handed to him; it was earned through persistence.
He connected with Ray White Collective principal Haesley Cush, convincing him to let him tag along.
For six months, Sukhraj sat in the passenger seat of Haesley’s car, absorbing every phone call, studying every negotiation, and learning the blueprint of the business before ever receiving an official job offer.
Today, Sukhraj is an integral part of the team at Ray White The Collective.
On chaotic auction days, he is active on the floor and managing phone bids.
But as Brisbane evolves, Sukhraj has unlocked a unique and vital superpower.
With the city’s population rapidly diversifying ahead of the 2032 Olympics, the South Asian community is growing fast.
Fluent in Punjabi and Hindi (with a touch of French for good measure), Sukhraj has become the bridge for families who might otherwise feel lost in the high-stakes environment of an auction.
He translates not just the language, but the complex emotions of buying and selling a home, ensuring no one is left in the dark.
Working alongside a high-profile industry figure like Haesley has helped Sukhraj establish his own identity.
“Haes genuinely cares, he cares about his work, cares about his auctions, cares about his staff and cares about his family,” he said.
“I think that is lost on many successful business owners and I think it’s so important to keep caring.”
When asked about his sales specialty - whether he focuses on luxury riverfront estates or compact apartments - Sukhraj rejects the typical industry labels.
“The process remains the same for a riverfront home or a one-bedroom apartment. The main focus for me has always been my vendors,” he said.
“Real estate isn't about property types; it’s about people.
“I try to remain honest with my clients and I appreciate honesty in return.
“It is hard for me to think of them as just a vendor, when I give someone advice I just try to think if this is the same advice that I would give to my brother or my parents; if it is then I will give my clients the same advice.”
Sukhraj said working at Ray White has been extremely rewarding.
“I think more than the real estate side of Ray White, what's been most memorable so far are the people I have had the opportunity to work alongside at The Collective and my clients,” he said.
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