Comment On The Industry’s Proposed Codes

The Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia (AVAA) invites members and stakeholders to provide comment on the proposed AVAA Code of Ethics for individual members and AVAA Code of Practice for corporate members, now released as consultation drafts.

These documents are designed to guide professional behaviour, strengthen public confidence, and provide clear, contemporary expectations across the auctioneering and valuation sector.

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

Consultation is central to AVAA’s member-driven approach. Individual members 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 grounded in real-world experience across auctions, valuations, governance, compliance, and business operations, recognising the diversity of practice sizes and structures across Australia.

The drafts of the two new codes and information on providing comment can be accessed online at:

• www.avaa.com.au/code-review

The proposed AVAA Code of Ethics for individual members focuses on 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 processes. The intent is to provide clarity for members, consistency in standards, and confidence for clients and the public.

The 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. The framework is designed to support strong internal systems while reinforcing the role corporate members play in maintaining trust in the sector.

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, credible framework that supports confidence in the auctioneering and valuation profession nationally.

Members are encouraged to review the consultation drafts and contribute their feedback to help shape the future professional conduct framework of the Association, with comment closing on 15 January 2026.