Most auctioneers would agree that dealing with regulators is simply part of doing business. Increasingly, though, the relationship is becoming less about enforcement and more about working together to build consumer confidence, improve professional standards and resolve issues before they become bigger problems. That’s what makes the upcoming 2026 Auctioneer & Valuer Symposia – Sydney on 22 October 2026 particularly relevant.
The keynote speaker, Natasha Luschwitz, is the Executive Director – Strategy, Policy & Delivery at NSW Fair Trading, and will provide the sector’s leading auctioneers with an opportunity to hear directly from one of the state’s senior consumer protection officials about the role of the regulator and its engagement with both consumers and businesses, and its engagement with the Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia (AVAA).
Her presentation will look at how NSW Fair Trading approaches complaints, compliance and dispute resolution, while also exploring the practical ways auctioneers can work constructively with the regulator. It promises to be a useful discussion about transparency, professional conduct and the expectations that consumers increasingly have of the businesses they deal with.
One of the strengths of the relationship between AVAA and NSW Fair Trading is that it is built on conversation rather than confrontation. While the regulator’s role is very different from that of AVAA as a professional association, both organisations ultimately want the same outcome, this being a fair, transparent marketplace where consumers have confidence and reputable auction businesses can thrive.
Having regulators and auctioneers in the same room also creates an opportunity to discuss emerging issues before they become significant challenges. That sort of dialogue helps auctioneers better understand regulatory expectations, while giving NSW Fair Trading greater insight into the practical realities of the auction sector.
Trust has always been one of the foundations of successful auctioneering. Clients need confidence that auctions will be conducted fairly, buyers expect transparency, and the broader community wants to know that businesses are operating professionally and ethically. Hearing directly from NSW Fair Trading at the 2026 Auctioneer & Valuer Symposia – Sydney helps reinforce those expectations and provides auctioneers with practical guidance they can apply in their own businesses.
That commitment to trust is also reflected in the work AVAA has been undertaking over recent years. The introduction of the AVAA Certified Auctioneer (CAAu) credential, together with the development of the AVAA Professional Standards, is helping establish nationally consistent benchmarks for professional conduct, competency and accountability. While regulators set the legislative framework, professional standards help define what excellence looks like within the profession itself.
Natasha Luschwitz’s keynote presentation 2026 Auctioneer & Valuer Symposia – Sydney is therefore about much more than regulation. It reflects the value of ongoing engagement between government and industry, and the shared understanding that consumer confidence is strongest when regulators, professional associations and auctioneers all work towards the same goal of maintaining a trusted, respected and highly professional auction sector.
The 2026 Auctioneer & Valuer Symposia – Sydney is open to all with an interest in the regulatory and commercial market in which professional auctioneers and valuers operate. If you’ve not already secured your tickets, be sure to do so today.
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Interested In Finding Out More?
If you’d like more information on the event, send an email to cpd@avaa.com.au or telephone 1300 928 165. You can also stay up to date by following AVAA on LinkedIn, X/Twitter and Facebook.
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