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Auctioneer

Auctioneers conduct sales at which property or goods are sold to the person offering the highest purchase price.

Auctioneers may specialise in selling certain types of goods such as livestock, produce, real estate, vehicles, plant machinery and equipment, antiques and general household items. Some auctioneers may also specialise in online auctions.

They need to be thoroughly familiar with the property or goods they are offering for sale so they can recommend a realistic reserve price to vendors.

Auctioneers may be required to travel to inspect property or merchandise, or to visit prospective clients.

They usually stand on a platform during auctions so they can be clearly heard and seen by all the people present.

Sometimes they work outdoors (for example, when involved in an auction of livestock or real estate auctioned on site).

They may also work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.

TASKS

check the property or articles for auction
list items to be catalogued
arrange placement of advertisements in newspapers, magazines and online
organise the display of merchandise for inspection before the auction
talk to vendors (sellers) to determine the lowest price at which the vendor is prepared to sell (the 'reserve price')
read out the terms and conditions of sale at auctions and, if necessary, present relevant documents (such as zoning restrictions applying to real estate)
answer questions to ensure the terms of sale are clear
comment on any special features of the item being sold, call a starting price and ask for the first bid
ask for bids and carefully adjust the amount by which bids are advanced until the item being sold goes 'under the hammer' to the highest bidder
supervise the work of others as sales are finalised at the auction

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

strong, clear voice
able to make quick, sound decisions
self-confidence
able to address large groups of people

Interest Area

EDUCATION & TRAINING

You can work as an auctioneer without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job. The Real Estate Institute of NSW offers an auctioneers' accreditation course for real estate practitioners who wish to specialise in auctioneering. Contact the institute for full details. The Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia also offers courses in auctioneering and valuation practice. Contact the association for details.

Additional Information

In NSW, auctioneers of goods do not need a licence. However, property and stock auctioneers must hold a licence issued by NSW Fair Trading. To obtain this licence you will have to demonstrate competency and be assessed by a qualified trainer working with a Registered Training Organisation. In the ACT, property and land auctioneers need to obtain a licence from the Office of Regulatory Services.

Auctioneers of dangerous or sensitive goods, such as firearms or live animals, may require additional licences.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Auctioneers are employed by auctioneering firms, valuers or real estate agents, stock agents and produce firms. Some work alone or in partnership as consultants. Many people gain experience as an auctioneer's clerk before becoming an auctioneer.

Employment opportunities for auctioneers may change during periods of economic growth, although work is still available during periods of low growth, particularly when firms and individuals become insolvent and have to sell their assets to pay off debts. There is also a shift within the industry towards greater use of the internet and online auctions.