New changes to property sales and underquoting laws

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New laws will change how real estate agents provide price information for residential property sales in Victoria. 

These changes are designed to improve price transparency for homebuyers, help tackle underquoting, and make property sales fairer and clearer. 

Most of the changes start on 1 October 2026. The new requirements apply to auctions and fixed-date sales on and from 16 October 2026

Until then, the current rules apply.

Summary of the changes 

Change

What it means

When

Reserve prices must be published before auction or fixed-date sale 

Real estate agents must publish the seller’s reserve price at least 7 days before an auction or fixed-date sale. They must also:  

  • update all advertising and marketing materials (including the new Property Price Statement) to reflect the reserve price
  • include the price in a single dollar amount, without words or symbols such as ‘from’, ‘over’, ‘+’ or ‘starting at’. 

If the reserve price hasn’t been published 7 days before the auction or fixed-date sale, it cannot go ahead. Penalties will apply.  

From 1 October 2026, for auctions and fixed-date sales on and from 16 October 2026.

Note: If an auction or fixed-date sale is held on 16 October 2026, the reserve price would need to have been disclosed by 9 October 2026.

New Property Price Statement (replacing Statement of Information) 

A new Property Price Statement (PPS) will replace the Statement of Information. Agents must include: 

  • key features of the property being sold 
  • key features of each comparable property. 

The PPS must be displayed prominently in online advertising – not right at the bottom of the listing. 

We will publish a new PPS template soon, and before the start of the new laws. 

From 1 October 2026, for auctions and fixed-date sales on and from 16 October 2026.
Sold prices must be published after sale Agents must update the PPS with the sold price 7 days after the unconditional sale of the property. They must make the PPS publicly available for at least 18 months, unless an exemption has been granted.  
 
Exemptions may be granted for circumstances related to personal or family violence involving the seller or purchaser and must be approved by application to the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria. 
1 October 2026
At least 1 or 2 comparable properties must be selected, if 3 cannot be identified  Agents who are unable to identify 3 comparable properties, but can find 1 or 2, must identify the 1 or 2 properties.
From 1 October 2026, for auctions and fixed-date sales on and from 16 October 2026.
Section 32 statements available earlier  

Agents must make the section 32 statement (the vendor statement) available: 

  • for private sales, within 14 days after the property is advertised 
  • for auctions and fixed-date sales, at least 14 days before the auction or fixed-date sale 
  • before the purchaser signs the contract if the property is not advertised, or if it will be sold within 14 days of being advertised. 
Starting on 1 June 2027
Commission cannot be taken before settlement   Agents must not take commission from a deposit released before settlement.   Starting on 1 July 2027 
Sold price information to be given to Director CAV  From 1 December 2027, agents will be required to provide sold price information to the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria unless an exemption is granted.  Starting on 1 December 2027