Behind many paintings, sculptures, antiques and collectables can sit hidden financial interests capable of affecting ownership, sale and risk. For valuers and auctioneers, understanding the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is becoming an increasingly important part of professional due diligence and commercial protection.

While many people associate the PPSR primarily with vehicles, machinery, plant and commercial equipment, its application extends far beyond these traditional asset classes. In practice, security interests can also exist over artworks, decorative arts, luxury goods and collectables, making PPSR searches an increasingly important consideration for professional valuers, auctioneers, buyers, lenders and insolvency practitioners.

For valuers operating in Australia, understanding the PPSR is now an important aspect of contemporary valuation practice. Valuation professionals preparing reports for finance, insolvency, family law, insurance, taxation, litigation and commercial transactions may need to identify whether an asset is subject to a registered security interest. In some circumstances, the existence of a security interest may materially affect the marketability, transferability or commercial risk associated with the asset being valued.

The PPSR is the managed by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA), and is the Australian Government’s national online register recording security interests over personal property under the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth). A security interest may arise where money has been borrowed against an asset, goods are leased, or ownership rights are retained until payment obligations are met. The PPSR was established to improve transparency and provide greater certainty regarding competing claims over movable property.

For professional valuers, PPSR searches can form part of broader due diligence and risk assessment processes. Where an asset may be subject to finance arrangements, retention-of-title provisions, or other encumbrances, the valuer may need to consider whether disclosures or qualifications are appropriate in the valuation report. This is particularly relevant where reports are being relied upon by lenders, courts, accountants, legal advisers or insolvency professionals.

Auctioneers also face significant PPSR-related risks. Auction businesses may be instructed to sell goods without initially being aware that another party holds a registered security interest over the property. If these issues are not identified before sale, disputes and legal complications may arise. As a result, PPSR searches are becoming increasingly important within auction due diligence procedures, particularly for high value assets and commercial consignments.

With growing interest in how the PPSA supports valuers and auctioneers across fine art, antiques, rate books and coins, collectables, goods, vehicles, plant and equipment, the Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia (AVAA) has organised an online meeting for valuation and auction professionals with the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) on 7 October 2026. [Find Out More]

Importantly, PPSR searches generate a certificate confirming whether a security interest was registered at the time of the search. This certificate can assist valuers, auctioneers and purchasers in demonstrating that reasonable due diligence was undertaken before a transaction occurred. Without an appropriate PPSR search, purchasers may face the risk of repossession action, even where they have paid for the asset in good faith.

PPSR searches are relatively straightforward for motor vehicles, plant, machinery, and equipment due to VINs and serial number systems.  There are challenges with artworks, sculptures, antiques, coins, rare books, stamps, trading cards and other, collectables present unique challenges. Many items lack standardised identifiers, and descriptions may vary significantly between invoices, auction catalogues, valuation reports and provenance records. This can make both PPSR registrations and searches considerably more difficult.

For example, a painting may be described differently across multiple records over time, while an antique sculpture may rely solely on dimensions, maker attribution, photographs or provenance documentation for identification. These complexities reinforce the importance of careful documentation, detailed asset descriptions and professional judgement within both valuation and auction practice.

AVAA is currently working with the AFSA to help improve awareness across the valuation and auction sectors regarding the practical utility of the PPSR. This includes supporting greater understanding of PPSR searches, asset identification challenges and the importance of professional due diligence across diverse asset classes.

As Australia’s markets for art, collectables, vehicles, machinery and luxury assets continue to evolve, the PPSR is becoming an increasingly important professional consideration for valuers and auctioneers seeking to manage commercial risk and support informed decision-making. Professionals holding the AVAA Certified Valuer (CVAu) and AVAA Certified Auctioneer (CAAu) credentials are increasingly expected to understand the operation of the PPSR as part of contemporary best practice valuation and auction processes across Australia’s evolving asset markets.

If you’re interested in how the PPSR can support the valuation and auction of fine art, antiques, collectables, goods, vehicles, plant and equipment, don’t miss the AVAA Business Compliance Interest Group meeting on 7 October 2026.  This meeting is free for AVAA members to attend.

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Interested In Finding Out More?

If you’re interested in the PPSR discussion at the AVAA Business Compliance Interest Group meeting, send an email to meetings@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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