Australia's Valuers And Auctioneers Enter A New Era Of Professional Recognition And Standards
Auctioneers & Valuers Association of Australia (AVAA)
Key Facts:AVAA is Australia’s national professional certification body for valuers and auctioneers across fine art and antiques, rare books and cons, memorabilia and collectables, motor vehicles, aviation and marine, plant and equipment and other investment-class assets.
New national professional standards now govern valuation and auction practice.
The respected CVAu and CAAu credentials have strengthened professional recognition across Australia.
AVAA strengthened government engagement across taxation, insurance and consumer policy.
AVAA membership renewals exceeded 97 percent, while overall membership will be around 20% this year.
New professional standards, nationally recognised credentials and stronger government engagement are transforming how Australia’s valuers and auctioneers serve clients, regulators and the wider community.
The Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia (AVAA) has entered a significant new era as a national professional certification body, supported by rigorous standards, growing membership and deep expertise across some of Australia’s most specialised asset markets.
The 2026 AVAA Midyear Activity Review documents six months of substantial progress, including the expansion of its respected AVAA Certified Valuer (CVAu) and AVAA Certified Auctioneer (CAAu) professional credentials, the introduction of a national professional standards framework and increased engagement with Australian, state and territory governments.
AVAA Chief Executive Troy Williams said this transformation gave journalists, policymakers and the public clearer access to trusted expertise across an extraordinarily diverse range of assets.
“From fine art, antiques and collectables, stamps and coins, rare books to motor vehicles, aircraft and marine assets, plant and machinery, Australia’s certified valuers and auctioneers possess knowledge that is frequently relevant to major economic, legal and consumer stories,” Mr Williams said.
That breadth of expertise also enables AVAA to connect journalists with certified valuers and auctioneers who understand both market developments and their practical consequences.
“When journalists need informed commentary on changing asset values, auction markets, authenticity, taxation, artificial intelligence, consumer protection or emerging collectable markets, AVAA can connect them with certified professionals who understand these issues in practice,” Mr Williams said.
During the first half of 2026, the AVAA Professional Standards were published, addressing minimum valuation report requirements, artificial intelligence in valuation reports, auction client funds, ethical conduct and continuing professional development. Further standards cover expert witness practice, auction conduct, professional indemnity insurance, conflicts of interest, cyber security, remote valuations, advertising, anti-money laundering obligations, and valuation definitions and methodology.
Together, these standards provide clients, courts, governments, insurers and journalists with a clearer basis for understanding the professional obligations attached to the respected CVAu and CAAu credentials.
AVAA has also contributed specialist advice to the Australian Government on capital gains tax reform, anti-money laundering obligations, small business insurance, counterfeit goods, skilled migration, working-from-home laws and firearms buyback arrangements.
Mr Williams said the work of certified valuers and auctioneers increasingly sits at the intersection of commerce, law and human behaviour.
“A family heirloom may become the subject of a taxation, insurance or family law dispute. A trading card or piece of sporting memorabilia may be promoted as an investment. Artificial intelligence may produce a convincing price estimate without understanding authenticity, condition, provenance or the purpose of the valuation,” Mr Williams said.
These complex issues demonstrate why journalists, consumers and decision-makers benefit from speaking with certified valuers who can distinguish an online price estimate from a defensible professional opinion.
Confidence in AVAA’s direction is reflected in a membership renewal rate exceeding 97 per cent, with total membership on track to grow by 20 per cent this year. Visits to the AVAA website also increased by 81 per cent during the first half of 2026 as more people sought information about certified practitioners, professional standards and emerging valuation and auction issues.
The 2026 AVAA Midyear Activity Review also highlights AVAA’s expanding education program, national conference, specialist webinar series, research reports and professional networks. These initiatives draw upon the practical knowledge of members and strengthen the expertise available to clients, government, regulators and the media.
AVAA welcomes media enquiries seeking expert commentary, background briefings or specialist perspectives on valuation, auctions and asset markets.
A copy of the report can be found online at: www.avaa.com.au/2026midyear
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About us:
AVAA Introduction: Formed in 1952, the Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia (AVAA) is the national professional body representing certified valuers and auctioneers across diverse asset classes. Its members provide trusted expertise on fine art, antiques, collectables, jewellery, vehicles, marine assets, aircraft, plant and machinery, business assets and emerging markets. Through national credentials, professional standards and specialist knowledge, AVAA connects journalists with credible experts for informed commentary and industry insights.
Contact details:
AVAA Media Team
e: [email protected]
t: 1300 928 165