The Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia (AVAA) invites members and stakeholders to comment on the proposed AVAA Code of Ethics for individual members and the AVAA Code of Practice for corporate members, released as consultation drafts to guide professional behaviour, strengthen public confidence, and establish clear, contemporary expectations across Australia’s auctioneering and valuation sector.

The revision of these documents reflects a clear commitment under the 2025–30 AVAA Strategic Plan to update and modernise the sector’s professional conduct framework. The profession operates in an environment of increasing regulatory scrutiny, evolving business models, and heightened consumer expectations. These draft codes are intended to respond to that environment by setting standards that are practical, enforceable, and aligned with modern professional practice.

Consultation is central to AVAA’s member-driven approach. Individual professionals and corporate firms are encouraged to review the intent, scope, and application of each draft, consider how the provisions operate in practice, and identify any unintended consequences. AVAA particularly welcomes feedback informed by real-world experience across auctions, valuations, governance, compliance, and business operations, recognising the diversity of practice sizes and structures nationally.

• AVAA – Code Of Ethics For Individual Members – Consultation Draft [PDF]
• AVAA – Code Of Ethics For Individual Members – Feedback Form [PDF]
• AVAA – Code Of Practice For Company Members – Consultation Draft [PDF]
• AVAA – Code Of Practice For Company Members – Feedback Form [PDF]

The proposed AVAA Code of Ethics focuses on individual integrity, honesty, independence, competence, transparency, and accountability. It establishes clear behavioural expectations for members using AVAA credentials and post-nominals, while reinforcing obligations relating to conflicts of interest, confidentiality, professional development, lawful practice, and cooperation with regulatory bodies and AVAA’s complaints, investigation, and disciplinary processes.

The proposed AVAA Code of Practice for corporate members recognises that companies carry responsibilities beyond individual conduct. It addresses governance, systems, culture, and organisational accountability, including supervision, quality assurance, trust account management, consumer protection, workforce behaviour, risk management, and transparent engagement with clients, regulators, and the Association.

Following the consultation period, AVAA intends to refine both documents and present the final AVAA Code of Ethics and AVAA Code of Practice to members for approval at a proposed members’ meeting in February 2026. This process reflects AVAA’s commitment to shared ownership of professional standards and to maintaining a modern framework that supports confidence in the profession nationally.

Comments on both draft codes closes on 15 January 2026.