Sarah Dowling 17 Feb 2022
Live auctions and inspections are up and running across the country as vaccination rates surge, however some restrictions remain.
Here’s a state-by-state look at what each government is currently permitting.
Victoria
From 6pm, Friday 18 February a number of restrictions and recommendations in place during the state’s Omicron surge will be eased.
Density limits in hospitality and entertainment venues will be removed, and QR check-in requirements scrapped in shops, schools and many workplaces.
Face masks rules will remain in place, with masks required indoors, except at home, for everyone aged 8 and over, unless exempt, although Premier Daniel Andrews flagged other changes will be considered next week.
Auctions and open homes can take place under the following settings.
Inspections:
There are no vaccination requirements for people attending real estate inspections, however real estate agents must be fully vaccinated (unless exempt).
There are no density limits for open homes.
Face masks are mandatory indoors. If outdoors, a face masks must be carried at all times.
Auctions:
There are no vaccination requirements for people attending real estate auctions, however real estate agents must be fully vaccinated (unless exempt).
There are no density limits for auctions.
Face masks are mandatory indoors. If outdoors, a face masks must be carried at all times.
New South Wales
The NSW Government has scaled back COVID-19 restrictions further as part of a staged approach to living with the virus.
Density limits will be scrapped from Friday 18 February, with QR check-ins only required for nightclubs and music festivals with more than 1,000 people. The recommendation to work from home will change and be returned to the employer’s discretion.
Rules will ease further from Friday 25 February, when masks will no longer be mandated for indoor settings, instead limited to certain settings, such as on public transport, planes and airports, hospitals and aged care facilities.
Auctions and open homes can take place under the following settings:
Inspections:
There is no density limit for how many people can inspect a home for sale or lease.
There are no vaccination requirements for agents or buyers attending open homes, however some agents and owners may choose to require people to be fully vaccinated as a condition of entry.
People no longer need to check-in when inspecting a home.
Auctions:
There is no density limit for how many people can attend an auction.
There are no vaccination requirements for agents or buyers attending auctions, however some agents and owners may choose to require people to be fully vaccinated as a condition of entry. If you want to enter premises where an occupier has chosen to require you to be fully vaccinated, you do not have to show the occupier your vaccination evidence, but if you do not, the occupier may not let you in.
People no longer need to check-in when inspecting a home.
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).
Residents in Perth and Peel, the South West, Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions are required to wear a face mask in all public indoor settings.
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).
Residents in Perth and Peel, the South West, Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions are required to wear a face mask in all public indoor settings.
Northern Territory
Home inspections and in-person auctions are allowed to take place under the following guidelines:
Inspections:
In-person inspections are permitted.
All people must check in using the Territory Check-In App, no matter how long they spend at the venue.
Real estate agents must have a COVID-19 safety plan in place and provide hand sanitiser. People are encouraged to follow physical distancing rules and keep 1.5 metres from people they don’t live with.
Auctions:
All people must check in using the Territory Check-In App, no matter how long they spend at the venue.
Real estate agents must have a COVID-19 safety plan in place and provide hand sanitiser. People are encouraged to follow physical distancing rules and keep 1.5 metres from people they don’t live with.
Queensland
From 17 December, new restrictions came into effect for people who are not fully vaccinated.
Unvaccinated residents will no longer be able to visit vulnerable settings, such as hospitals and aged care facilities, or attend hospitality and entertainment venues.
In addition, these venues will no longer have density limits, with only fully vaccinated people permitted.
From January 2, masks must be worn in all indoor settings, except in your own home or where it is unsafe, such as while doing strenuous exercise.
Home inspections and live auctions are allowed to take place in Queensland under the following guidelines:
Inspections:
Open homes are permitted and people do not need to be fully vaccinated to enter.
A density limit of one person per two square metres applies for indoor areas.
Agents must collect contact information and follow the government’s COVID-19 safe checklist.
Masks must be worn indoors.
Auctions:
Auctions are permitted and people do not need to be fully vaccinated to attend.
A density limit of one person per two square metres applies for indoor areas.
Agents must collect contact information and follow the government’s COVID-19 safe checklist.
Masks must be worn indoors.
Australian Capital Territory
Home inspections and live auctions are currently allowed to take place under the following guidelines:
Inspections:
Property inspections are permitted in the ACT. If there are 25 people of fewer across the venue, no density limit applies.
If there are more than 25 people a density limit of one person per four square metres per indoor space, or one person per two square metres per outdoor space applies. Outdoor spaces are capped at 300 people. Density limits exclude real estate agents or staff in the count.
People must check in using the Check In CBR app.
Face masks must be worn indoors by people aged 12 years and over, unless exempt.
Auctions:
Auctions are permitted to take place. If there are 25 people of fewer across the venue, no density limit applies.
If there are more than 25 people a density limit of one person per four square metres per indoor space, or one person per two square metres per outdoor space applies. Outdoor spaces are capped at 300 people. Density limits exclude real estate agents or staff in the count.
People must check in using the Check In CBR app.
Face masks must be worn indoors by people aged 12 years and over, unless exempt.
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 two square metre density quotient.
Masks must be worn where social distancing is not possible.
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 two square metre density quotient.
Masks must be worn where physical distancing is not possible.
Attendees must check in using the provided QR code (or an alternative record keeping method, where relevant).
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 agents must follow 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 agents must follow a COVID-19 Safety plan.