AVAA Professional Standards Document Download
.
The AVAA Professional Standards establish the professional framework for valuation and auction practice in Australia. They set clear expectations regarding competence, conduct, independence, accountability, risk management, and professional responsibility, supporting consistent professional services and helping strengthen confidence in valuers, auctioneers, and corporate members.
Developed through a member-driven process that’s strengthened by a public comment period, the AVAA Professional Standards reflect industry expertise and practical experience. Drafted by subject matter experts and informed by consultation, they represent a consensus view of contemporary professional best practice.
.
AVAA Professional Standards Download —
Status: Current (Approved)
Establishes the ethical and professional obligations of AVAA Certified Valuers (CVAu) and AVAA Certified Auctioneers (CAAu), providing a framework for integrity, independence, competence, accountability, confidentiality and responsible conduct that promotes public confidence, professional excellence and trust across Australia’s auction and valuation sectors.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies the continuing professional development obligations for AVAA Certified Valuers (CVAu) and AVAA Certified Auctioneers (CAAu), including minimum annual CPD requirements, recognised learning activities, point allocations, record keeping obligations, compliance auditing, carry-forward arrangements, and the consequences of failing to maintain ongoing professional competence.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies the professional indemnity insurance expectations applying to AVAA Certified Valuers (CVAu), AVAA Certified Auctioneers (CAAu), professional members, and corporate members, including insurance adequacy, disclosure obligations, claims notification requirements, ongoing coverage, run-off cover considerations, and professional responsibility for managing liability risks.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies the requirements for handling auction client funds, including trust account establishment and operation, segregation of client money from business funds, authorised withdrawals, accounting record keeping, trust account reconciliations, annual independent audits, and compliance obligations designed to protect funds held on behalf of others.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies professional requirements for the conduct of physical, online, livestream, and technology-enabled auctions, including auction terms and conditions, bidder registration, representations and descriptions, bidding practices, vendor arrangements, payment and settlement processes, dispute management, record keeping, and prohibited conduct.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies the minimum content and disclosure requirements for professional valuation reports, including compliance statements, client instructions, valuation dates, asset identification, valuation basis, valuation conclusions, professional certifications, publication restrictions, and supporting information necessary to support transparent and reliable valuation reporting.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies professional requirements for valuers acting as expert witnesses in courts, tribunals, arbitrations, mediations, and other dispute resolution proceedings, including independence, impartiality, expertise, preparation of expert evidence, court obligations, record keeping, professional conduct, and prohibited practices affecting the integrity of expert opinions.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies the requirements for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in valuation engagements, including data collection, analytical modelling, report preparation, verification of AI-generated outputs, disclosure of material AI use, confidentiality safeguards, record keeping, and the valuer’s ongoing responsibility for all valuation conclusions.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies the requirements for identifying, assessing, disclosing, documenting, and managing actual, potential, and perceived conflicts of interest in valuation and auction engagements, including independence obligations, multiple-party engagements, contingent remuneration arrangements, disclosure requirements, conflict management measures, and prohibited conduct that compromises professional objectivity.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies the requirements for receiving, recording, investigating, responding to, and resolving customer complaints relating to valuation and auction services, including complaint handling procedures, communication obligations, record keeping, escalation processes, procedural fairness principles, and the use of complaints information to support professional accountability and continuous improvement.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies the requirements for creating, maintaining, storing, protecting, retrieving, and retaining records associated with valuation and auction services, including information management practices, confidentiality, privacy, cybersecurity considerations, accessibility of records, retention obligations, and prohibited conduct relating to records and information management.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies the requirements for advertising, marketing, professional representations, and the use of AVAA credentials, post-nominals, member logos, and digital badges, including claims of expertise, specialist status, independence, service capability, online communications, corporate representations, and conduct that may mislead consumers.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies the requirements for managing cyber security, information security, technology risks, digital systems, and data protection within valuation and auction practices, including client data security, technology governance, business continuity, third-party technology providers, cyber incident response, data breach notification, and responsible use of technology-enabled systems.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies the requirements for engagement arrangements, professional instructions, terms of appointment, scope of services, client authority, fee disclosures, engagement documentation, reliance limitations, communication obligations, and the management of professional relationships to ensure clarity, transparency, accountability, and informed client decision-making.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies the requirements for accepting and clarifying valuation instructions, maintaining professional independence, managing client-provided information and assumptions, defining intended use and reliance arrangements, addressing third-party reliance, communicating limitations and qualifications, and protecting the integrity and objectivity of valuation conclusions.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies the requirements for conducting remote, desktop, image-based, video-assisted, and technology-enabled valuation engagements, including assessment suitability, inspection limitations, reliance on client and third-party information, disclosure obligations, technology-assisted analysis, reporting requirements, and the management of risks associated with non-physical valuation methodologies.
Status: Non-current (Public Comment)
Establishes nationally recognised valuation definitions and principles for the valuation of physical assets, together with guidance on the selection and application of valuation methodologies, bases of value, market evidence, assumptions, professional judgement, valuation uncertainty and reconciliation, to support consistent, transparent and reliable valuation practice.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies the requirements for identifying, assessing, and managing money laundering, sanctions, fraud, terrorism financing, and other high-risk transaction risks in auction activities, including customer identification, transaction monitoring, payment controls, suspicious conduct management, record keeping, and transaction transparency obligations.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies the requirements for engaging, supervising, and disclosing the involvement of subcontractors, consultants, specialists, assistants, and external service providers in valuation engagements, including professional responsibility, oversight, competence, independence, confidentiality, transparency, record keeping, and accountability for outsourced valuation activities.
Status: Current (Approved)
Specifies the requirements for notifying AVAA of significant regulatory investigations, enforcement action, disciplinary proceedings, adverse findings, licence restrictions, and government compliance matters associated with valuation and auction services, including notification obligations, procedural fairness, confidentiality, accountability, and professional transparency requirements.
Status: Current (Approved)
Establishes the governance and compliance standards expected of AVAA Corporate Members, promoting transparency, accountability, consumer confidence and quality service delivery while supporting consistent business practices and strengthening trust in Australia’s auction and valuation industries..
* Currently in development / revision phase
Published by the Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia (AVAA), the AVAA Professional Standards establish the definitive professional benchmark for valuers and auctioneers operating across Australia. They provide a clear framework for professional conduct, competence, accountability, and ethical practice, helping to strengthen confidence in professional services delivered throughout the valuation and auction sectors.
Professionals with the respected AVAA Certified Valuer (CVAu) and AVAA Certified Auctioneer (CAAu) credentials refer to these standards as part of their daily work, providing their clients with an assurance about the quality of their work.
Interested In Finding Out More?
For further information on the AVAA Professional Standards, please send an email to standards@avaa.com.au or telephone 1300 928 165. You can also stay up to date by following AVAA on LinkedIn, X/Twitter and Facebook.
.
.
— Related Information
◾ Standards Introduction
◾ Standards In Practice
◾ Standards And Clients
◾ Standards Development
— Applying for Certification
◾ Certified Valuer
◾ Certified Auctioneer
.
Auction, Valuation & Business News Updates
Auctioneers And Queensland’s Consumer Regulator
Emma Barnes2026-09-08T11:08:33+10:00September 8th, 2026|
Queensland’s auction sector operates in an environment where professional practice and regulatory responsibility are closely connected. Licensing, trust account management, consumer protection and fair trading obligations all influence the way auction businesses operate. These [...]
Parliamentary Inquiry On Cyber Security
Emma Barnes2026-09-04T09:35:14+10:00September 4th, 2026|
Australia’s auction and valuation professions have provided detailed advice to the Australian Parliament on strengthening cyber security for small and medium businesses. Drawing on frontline experience with sensitive client information, high-value assets, financial transactions [...]
AML/CTF Compliance Update For Auctioneers *
Emma Barnes2026-09-04T09:34:04+10:00September 3rd, 2026|
Australia’s expanded anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) framework brings new obligations for some auction houses and dealers handling jewellery, watches, precious metals, gemstones and related products. The rules apply where a business buys [...]
.
Valuation & Auction Events
Sporting Memorabilia Valuation Webinar (7/10/26)
Emma Barnes2026-09-03T09:47:41+10:00
Interest in the professional valuation of sporting memorabilia is increasing as collectors, insurers, legal advisers, estates and investors seek informed advice on value, authenticity, condition and provenance. This webinar explores sound valuation practices for [...]
Workplace Relations Interest Group (8/10/26)
Emma Barnes2026-09-03T11:08:51+10:00
The AVAA Human Resources Interest Group brings together members with responsibility for managing people, workplace practices and employment matters across the valuation and auction industries. This meeting will provide a practical forum to discuss [...]
Valuers As Expert Witnesses Webinar (19/8/26)
Emma Barnes2026-07-28T16:18:28+10:00
Professional valuers are increasingly being asked to assist courts, tribunals, insurers and legal practitioners by providing independent expert evidence. This webinar explores the practical realities of acting as an expert witness and the professional [...]
.
Valuation & Auction Insights
Insights On Equestrian Horse Valuation
Emma Barnes2026-05-25T10:55:33+10:00
Valuing show horses, competitive jumping horses and other elite equestrian competition horses is one of the most specialised areas of valuation practice. Unlike many physical assets, a competition horse represents a complex combination of [...]
Insights On Plant And Machinery Valuation
Emma Barnes2026-05-23T08:53:10+10:00
Industrial generators and heavy plant are critical commercial assets underpinning Australia’s construction, mining, transport, and manufacturing sectors. As plant and equipment values continue rising, businesses, lenders, insurers, and legal advisers are seeking reliable valuation advice [...]
Insights On Australian Art Valuation
Emma Barnes2026-05-23T08:44:08+10:00
The market for Australian art occupies a distinctive position within the broader fine art sector. It is shaped not only by artistic merit and collector demand, but also by Australia’s cultural history, geographic isolation, institutional [...]