As Australia continues to endure the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, live auctions and open for inspections are up and running across some parts of the country, albeit with certain limitations.
Here’s a state-by-state look at what each government is currently permitting.
Lockdown restrictions have eased across most of the country. Picture: realestate.com.au
Victoria
From 8pm Thursday 5 August, Victoria entered a snap seven-day lockdown, but from 11:59pm, Monday 9 August restrictions were lifted for residents in regional Victoria.
Greater Melbourne local government areas remain in lockdown, including: Banyule; Bayside; Boroondara; Brimbank; Cardinia; Casey; Darebin; Frankston; Glen Eira; Greater Dandenong; Hobsons Bay; Hume; Kingston, Knox; Manningham; Maribyrnong; Maroondah; Melbourne; Melton; Monash; Moonee Valley; Moreland; Mornington Peninsula; Nillumbik; Port Phillip; Stonnington; Whitehorse; Whittlesea; Wyndham (except little River); Yarra; and Yarra Ranges.
Home inspections and auctions are currently allowed to take place under the following guidelines.
Inspections:
In Greater Melbourne: in-person inspections are banned during the seven-day lockdown. You can only only inspect a property remotely.
For the rest of Victoria: in-person inspections by appointment only with a maximum of 10 people in the property at one time, subject to a density quotient of one person per four square metres. The persons required to conduct and/or facilitate an inspection and infants under one year of age are not included in the limit on the number of people attending an inspection. Face masks must be worn unless an exemption applies.
All attendees must check in using the provided QR code (or an alternative record keeping method, where relevant) via the Victorian Government QR Code Service.
Movement within regional Victoria is permitted but travel to metro Melbourne will be restricted to permitted reasons only
Auctions:
In Greater Melbourne: in-person auctions are banned during the extended lockdown with all auctions to move online.
For the rest of Victoria: auctions are permitted indoors or outdoors for a maximum of 100 people, subject to density quotient of one person per four square metres. Owners or residents of the property and minimum number of people required to conduct or broadcast the auction are excluded from the limit.
All attendees must check in using the provided QR code (or an alternative record keeping method, where relevant) via the Victorian Government QR Code Service.
Face masks must be worn unless an exemption applies. The auctioneer may remove their mask when calling the auction.
Open homes and auctions are back up and running in Melbourne after months of lockdown. Picture: Getty
New South Wales
Greater Sydney is currently under an extended lockdown until 12:01am on Saturday 28 August. Several other LGAs outside Greater Sydney including: Newcastle and The Hunter; Armidale Regional; Tamworth; and Northern Rivers have also been sent into lockdown.
Home inspections and auctions are currently allowed to take place under the following guidelines.
Inspections:
In Greater Sydney: the lockdown has been extended until 12:01am on Saturday, 28 August for anyone in Greater Sydney; the Blue Mountains; Central Coast; and the local government areas of Wollongong and Shellharbour.
Home inspections may be conducted by private appointment for one person only. Masks are mandatory indoors. Check-in at business premises used for auction houses (including residential sales, tenancy open houses and saleyards) must be completed using electronic methods such as a QR code.
In high-risk locations: residents in eight high-risk LGAs within the Greater Sydney region (including: Parramatta; Georges River; Campbelltown; Fairfield; Canterbury-Bankstown; Liverpool; Cumberland; and Blacktown) are subject to even tighter COVID-19 restrictions. There are 12 suburbs in the Penrith region that are now also subject to the same tighter restrictions as the eight high-risk LGAs (including: Caddens; Claremont Meadows; Colyton; Erskine Park; Kemps Creek; Kingswood; Mount Vernon; North St Marys; Orchard Hills; Oxley Park; St Clair; and St Mary’s).
All residents of these locations (the eight high-risk LGAs and the 12 Penrith suburbs) must only shop for food or other essential goods within five kilometres of their home, and they cannot travel to other areas for work unless they are an authorised worker. All residents must follow the health advice specific to their areas at all times.
Lockdown locations outside Greater Sydney: residents in the following LGAs are now subject to stay at home rules due to recent COVID-19 cases:
Newcastle and The Hunter – people who live in or are temporarily staying in the Newcastle; Cessnock; Dungog; Lake Macquarie; Maitland; Muswellbrook; Port Stephens; and Singleton local government areas after 31 July 2021. The lockdown commenced at 5pm, Thursday 5 August 2021 and will end at 12:01am, Friday 13 August 2021
Armidale – people who live in or are temporarily staying in the Armidale local government area after 29 July 2021. The lockdown commenced at 5pm, Sunday 8 August 2021 and will end at 12:01am, Sunday 15 August 2021
Tamworth – people who live in or are temporarily staying in the Tamworth local government area after 5 August 2021. The lockdown commenced at 5pm, Monday 9 August 2021 and will end at 12:01am, Tuesday 17 August 2021
Northern Rivers – people who live in or are temporarily staying in the Ballina; Byron; City of Lismore; and Richmond Valley local government areas after Saturday 31 July 2021. The lockdown commenced at 6pm Monday 9 August 2021 and will end 12:01am Tuesday 17 August 2021.
Home inspections may be conducted by private appointment for one person only. Masks are mandatory indoors. Check-in at business premises used for auction houses (including residential sales, tenancy open houses and saleyards) must be completed using electronic methods such as a QR code.
For the rest of NSW: home inspections can take place with a one person per two square metre density quotient. Children count towards the capacity limit. Masks are mandatory indoors. Check-in at business premises used for auction houses (including residential sales, tenancy open houses and saleyards) must be completed using electronic methods such as a QR code.
Auctions:
In Greater Sydney: the lockdown has been extended until 12:01am on Saturday, 28 August for anyone in Greater Sydney; the Blue Mountains; Central Coast; and the local government areas of Wollongong and Shellharbour.
In-person auctions are banned during the extended lockdown with all auctions to move online.
In high-risk locations: residents in eight high-risk LGAs within the Greater Sydney region (including: Parramatta; Georges River; Campbelltown; Fairfield; Canterbury-Bankstown; Liverpool; Cumberland; and Blacktown) are subject to even tighter COVID-19 restrictions. There are 12 suburbs in the Penrith region that are now also subject to the same tighter restrictions as the eight high-risk LGAs (including: Caddens; Claremont Meadows; Colyton; Erskine Park; Kemps Creek; Kingswood; Mount Vernon; North St Marys; Orchard Hills; Oxley Park; St Clair; and St Mary’s).
All residents of these locations (the eight high-risk LGAs and the 12 Penrith suburbs) must only shop for food or other essential goods within five kilometres of their home, and they cannot travel to other areas for work unless they are an authorised worker. All residents must follow the health advice specific to their areas at all times.
Lockdown locations outside Greater Sydney: residents in the following LGAs are now subject to stay at home rules due to recent COVID-19 cases:
Newcastle and The Hunter – people who live in or are temporarily staying in the Newcastle; Cessnock; Dungog; Lake Macquarie; Maitland; Muswellbrook; Port Stephens; and Singleton local government areas after 31 July 2021. The lockdown commenced at 5pm, Thursday 5 August 2021 and will end at 12:01am, Friday 13 August 2021
Armidale – people who live in or are temporarily staying in the Armidale local government area after 29 July 2021. The lockdown commenced at 5pm, Sunday 8 August 2021 and will end at 12:01am, Sunday 15 August 2021
Tamworth – people who live in or are temporarily staying in the Tamworth local government area after 5 August 2021. The lockdown commenced at 5pm, Monday 9 August 2021 and will end at 12:01am, Tuesday 17 August 2021
Northern Rivers – people who live in or are temporarily staying in the Ballina; Byron; City of Lismore; and Richmond Valley local government areas after Saturday 31 July 2021. The lockdown commenced at 6pm Monday 9 August 2021 and will end 12:01am Tuesday 17 August 2021.
In-person auctions are banned during the extended lockdown with all auctions to move online.
In the rest of NSW, in-person auctions can take place with a one person per two square metre density quotient. Children count towards the capacity limit. Masks are mandatory indoors. Check-in at business premises used for auction houses (including residential sales, tenancy open houses and saleyards) must be completed using electronic methods such as a QR code.
Open homes and auctions are allowed to take place across NSW. Picture: Getty
Western Australia
Home inspections and auctions are currently allowed to take place under the following guidelines:
Inspections:
Home inspections can take place. While not mandatory, real estate agents are encouraged to maintain 1.5 metres separation between people who are not from the same household or groups of other patrons.
Masks are not mandatory indoors but encouraged where physical distancing is not possible.
Real estate agents are required to maintain a mandatory contact register for staff and visitors to assist with WA Department of Health contact tracing, should it be required.
Real estate agents are expected to ensure their COVID Safety Plans are updated and continue to be implemented (social distancing, hand sanitiser and record keeping etc).
Auctions:
Live auctions can take place. While not mandatory, real estate agents are encouraged to maintain 1.5 metres separation between people who are not from the same household or groups of other patrons.
Masks are not mandatory indoors but encouraged where physical distancing is not possible.
Real estate agents are required to maintain a mandatory contact register for staff and visitors to assist with WA Department of Health contact tracing, should it be required.
Real estate agents are expected to ensure their COVID Safety Plans are updated and continue to be implemented (social distancing, hand sanitiser and record keeping etc).
WA’s Perth and Peel regions, and Rottnest Island are the latest to head into a snap lockdown. Picture: realestate.com.au
Northern Territory
Home inspections and live auctions are currently allowed to take place under the following guidelines:
Inspections:
In-person home inspections can take place. During activities, participants from different groups must be 1.5 metres apart from another group.
Masks are not mandatory indoors but encouraged where physical distancing is not possible.
Real estate agents must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan to demonstrate how they meet the key principles of physical distancing and hygiene practices, in line with the chief health officer directions.
The Territory Check-In App will become mandatory for use in all NT businesses, shopping centres, venues and events. Pen and paper will still be permitted. You will be required to check in everywhere you go, no matter how long you spend at that location.
Auctions:
In-person auctions can take place. During activities, participants from different groups must be 1.5 metres apart from another group.
Masks are not mandatory indoors but encouraged where physical distancing is not possible.
Real estate agents must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan to demonstrate how they meet the key principles of physical distancing and hygiene practices, in line with the chief health officer directions.
The Territory Check-In App will become mandatory for use in all NT businesses, shopping centres, venues and events. Pen and paper will still be permitted. You will be required to check in everywhere you go, no matter how long you spend at that location.
Queensland
Lockdown restrictions for 11 LGAs in south-east Queensland (including: City of Brisbane; Moreton Bay Regional Council; City of Gold Coast; City of Ipswich; Lockyer Valley Regional Council; Logan City; Noosa Shire Council; Redland City; Scenic Rim Regional Council; Somerset Regional Council; and Sunshine Coast Regional Council) have been lifted with some restrictions remaining in place until 8pm Sunday 22 August.
Home inspections and live auctions are currently allowed to take place under the following guidelines:
Inspections:
In the 11 impacted LGAs in south-east Queensland: open inspections can take place with a one person per four square metre density quotient. Face masks are mandatory indoors and outdoors unless there is a legal reason not to wear one.
For the rest of Queensland: open house inspections are permitted with a density quotient of one person per two square metres. Masks are not mandatory but encouraged where social distancing is not possible.
Agents are required to collect and keep contact information about all guests, patrons and staff at the time they enter the premises.
Hygiene standards (social distancing, hand sanitiser etc) should be maintained during inspections.
Auctions:
In the 11 impacted LGAs in south-east Queensland: live auctions can take place with a one person per four square metre density quotient. Face masks are mandatory indoors and outdoors unless there is a legal reason not to wear one.
For the rest of Queensland: live auctions are permitted with a density quotient of one person per two square metres. Masks are not mandatory but encouraged where social distancing is not possible.
Agents are required to collect and keep contact information about all guests, patrons and staff at the time they enter the premises.
Hygiene standards (social distancing, hand sanitiser etc) should be maintained during inspections.
Queensland is taking no chances, implementing strict guidelines for real estate operations. Picture: Getty
Australian Capital Territory
Home inspections and live auctions are currently allowed to take place under the following guidelines:
Inspections:
Up to 25 people are allowed to attend an open home (excluding staff, other personnel and home owners) without any density quotas, but if a real estate agent wants to have more than 25 people, they must employ to the one person per two square metre rule for indoor and outdoor space and use the Check In CBR app.
If the Check In CBR app is not being used, agents must continue to apply the venue capacity rule of one person per four square metres of usable space indoors, and one person per two square metres in outdoor space.
Masks are mandatory.
Real estate agents are required to have a COVID Safety Plan.
Auctions:
Up to 25 people are allowed to attend an auction (excluding staff, other personnel and home owners) without any density quotas, but if a real estate agent wants to have more than 25 people, they must employ to the one person per two square metre rule for indoor and outdoor space and use the Check In CBR app.
If the Check In CBR app is not being used, agents must continue to apply the venue capacity rule of one person per four square metres of usable space indoors and one person per two square metres in outdoor space.
Masks are mandatory.
Real estate agents are required to have a COVID Safety Plan.
For each auction, agents are required to ask attendees for their first name and contact details. This information will help with contact tracing if it’s required.
South Australia
Home inspections and live auctions are currently allowed to take place under the following guidelines:
Inspections:
In-person inspections can take place with a one person per four square metre density quotient.
Masks must be worn in shared indoor spaces.
Attendees must check in using the provided QR code (or an alternative record keeping method, where relevant).
Auctions:
Live auctions can take place with a one person per four square metre density quotient.
Masks must be worn in shared indoor spaces, but are not mandatory outdoors if appropriate physical distancing is possible.
Attendees must check in using the provided QR code (or an alternative record keeping method, where relevant).
Live auctions have now resumed in most states after COVID-19 lockdowns. Picture: Getty
Tasmania
Home inspections and live auctions are currently allowed to take place under the following guidelines:
Inspections:
Up to 250 people are allowed to attend an open inspection per undivided indoor space, or up to 1,000 people per undivided outdoor area, including staff and children. The total number of people at a premise cannot exceed one person per two square metres.
All attendee names and contact details must be recorded for contact tracing purposes.
Real estate businesses must implement measures to meet the minimum COVID-19 safety standards and record this in a COVID-19 Safety plan.
Auctions:
Up to 250 people are allowed to attend an auction per undivided indoor space, or up to 1,000 people per undivided outdoor area, including staff and children. The total number of people at a premise cannot exceed one person per two square metres.
All attendee names and contact details must be recorded for contact tracing purposes.
Real estate businesses must implement measures to meet the minimum COVID-19 safety standards and record this in a COVID-19 Safety plan.
The post What each state’s restriction status means for real estate appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Here’s a state-by-state look at what each government is now permitting and what it means for real estate in your region.
The post What each state’s restriction status means for real estate appeared first on realestate.com.au.