The term “professional valuer” is used extensively throughout Australia. It appears in advertising, websites, social media profiles, expert witness resumes, and business correspondence. Yet the widespread use of the description raises an important question … what does the term actually mean?
In many industries, professional standing is demonstrated through recognised credentials, adherence to established standards, ongoing education requirements, ethical obligations, and independent accountability. The valuation profession is no different. Professional recognition is most meaningful when it is supported by a framework that extends beyond an individual’s own assessment of their abilities.
The challenge for clients is that the word “professional” can be used by almost anyone. A valuer may describe themselves as a professional regardless of whether they operate within recognised standards, undertake continuing professional development, or are subject to any formal professional obligations. As a result, the description itself often provides little insight into the quality, consistency, or reliability of the valuation services being offered.
This distinction becomes particularly important when valuation reports are relied upon for insurance, family law, deceased estates, taxation, financial reporting, litigation, lending, and commercial decision-making. In these situations, clients are increasingly seeking objective indicators of professional competence rather than marketing language.
The AVAA Certified Valuer (CVAu) credential offered by the Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia (AVAA) provides a nationally recognised indicator of what it means to be a professional valuer. This certification identifies valuers who have met certification requirements and who operate within a recognised professional framework. Holders of the credential are required to comply with national professional standards relating to education, ethics, conduct, and professional practice.
Professional valuers, that is, those individuals with the CVAu credential, undertake valuations across a diverse range of asset classes including fine art and antiques, jewellery and watches, rare coins and stamps, militaria, sporting memorabilia and trading cards, motor vehicles, aviation and marine assets, and plant and machinery. These certified individuals value business assets, deceased estate contents and insurance assets plus those held by individuals. These valuation services are commonly relied upon for insurance replacement assessments, family law matters, probate and deceased estates, capital gains tax, self-managed superannuation funds, litigation, asset disposal, financial reporting, and commercial transactions throughout Australia.
Importantly, the CVAu credential is supported by the AVAA Professional Standards framework. These standards establish practical requirements across a range of areas relevant to valuation practice, including professional conduct, continuing professional development, valuation methodology, reporting requirements, client engagement, risk management, and emerging technologies. In the future, they are likely to use a standard industry agreement to formalise their relationship with clients.
The simple reality is that a professional valuer is someone who has demonstrated their competency, experience, and commitment to recognised professional standards through attainment of the respected AVAA Certified Valuer (CVAu) credential.
Among the most significant is AVAA Professional Standard 6 – Minimum Valuation Report Requirements. The standard establishes minimum expectations for the preparation of valuation reports, including asset identification, valuation approaches, supporting evidence, assumptions, limitations, certifications, and disclosures. The result is a more consistent and transparent reporting framework that assists both clients and valuation professionals.
As professional standards continue to develop across Australia, greater attention is being placed on credentials that can be independently verified. The focus is shifting away from self-described titles and towards recognised qualifications, standards, and accountability.
For clients seeking valuation services, the most useful question is not whether a person describes themselves as a professional. The more meaningful question is what recognised credentials, professional frameworks, and standards stand behind that claim?
Increasingly, the answer is found in the letters CVAu and the professionals who use them.
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Interested In Finding Out More?
If you’re interested in the AVAA Certified Valuer (CVAu), send an email to certification@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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