Victoria
As Victoria has now moved to a permit system, it is imperative Members carry a work permit on them at all times when conducting valuation work. A work permit must be filled out by your employer and provided to you. For members who are sole traders, the Vic Covid website instructs you to act as your own employer and fill in the permit yourself as both employer and employee.
Under the rules of the permit, Victorian Members are able to continue to conduct physical inspections of property where you are performing work that is essential to the continued operation of an authorised provider. Whilst the full list of Authorised providers is here, the most relevant to members are:
- A financial Institution
- Court, tribunal or commission services
- An electorate office
- Victorian parliament
- Services that operate solely outdoors where physical distancing can be maintained at all times.
We strongly reinforce our earlier advice relating to our virtual valuation protocols which, enable members to conduct a full physical valuation without entering a premises. Furthermore, we still recommend Members carry our letter of support to provide further evidence of the necessity of valuation work in providing continuity to our critical industries.
New South Wales
Members in Greater Sydney under stay-at-home orders are required to work from home if they are reasonably able to do so. For valuing Members within Greater Sydney, as a physical valuation cannot reasonably be conducted from your home, according to the guidelines on the NSW website you should be able to continue operating, provided you;
- have a Permit to Travel
- abide by a COVID-19 Safe Plan and
- follow the COVID-19 Safe Inspection protocols.
For Members living within a local government area of concern, there is a curfew in place with limited reasons to leave your home. One of those reasons for leaving your home is if you are deemed an Authorised Worker.
The NSW government site specifies authorised workers as a worker who is employed or engaged to provide a service that is necessary for a listed exempted activity:
- Public administration and safety sector
- the administration of justice, including in relation to the operation of courts and tribunals, correctional centres and community corrections
- critical legal services
- a person employed or engaged by Services NSW or Services Australia
- Financial Services sector
- Critical Financial services and infrastructure
If you are a Valuer engaged by the above sectors for services that specifically enable continued operation of that sector, members undertaking relevant work are likely to be exempt. Note you are required to;
- abide by a COVID-19 Safety Plan
- be registered to travel
- had at least 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine, or evidence of a medical exemption
- implement COVID-19 Safe Inspection Protocols, and
- wear a facemask.
For further information, refer to the NSW Government website for continuing updates and also our Griffin Legal letter – Guidance on Essential Workers During Lockdown.
Queensland
Currently, there are no restrictions preventing valuation work to continue unhindered for valuations within Queensland’s borders. However, this does not apply to valuers from interstate travelling into QLD for work. Please consult the current border regulations.
For NSW border zone valuers who are engaged to conduct a valuation that requires travel across the border, we strongly advise reviewing our virtual valuation protocols which enable members to conduct a full physical valuation without entering a premises. It is recommended Members carry our letter of support to provide evidence of the necessity of valuation work in providing continuity to our critical industries.
During lockdown periods QLD valuers would fall under permitted workers as they cannot reasonably be expected to conduct a full physical valuation from home. See the most recent advice here.
Australian Capital Territory
With restrictions easing and new advice emerging, the ACT government has recently adjusted its current restrictions. Notably,
- Real estate services – Property inspections required by law for the sale of a property permitted to proceed.
- Home visitors – No more than five people are permitted to visit another household at any one time (limits do not apply to children under 12 years of age).
This advice together with the previous edition of acceptable reasons to leave home that may apply to valuer members.
- Fulfill or undertake any legal obligations (eg to attend any court or tribunal of Australia).
- To assist with or participate in an investigation or other action by a law enforcement authority, whether voluntarily or not.
- To comply with or give effect to the exercise of a power or function of a government agency or entity under a law.
- To undertake essential work or study, if they cannot work or study from home or remotely.
In the ACT, the defined list of Essential work does not specify financial institutions as they are covered in a separate list for Essential retail.
As always, please check the latest iterations of advice from the ACT Covid website.
Northern Territory
Greater Darwin and Katherine residents are set to come out of the recent lockdown period by the end of this week.
During lockdown periods, our NT members are defined as essential workers if they are an employee or contractor engaged by;
- a financial institution
- the administration of justice;
- the Territory or local government services
The full list of essential services and coronavirus information can be found on the NT Government coronavirus website.
South Australia
There are no new cases in South Australia and the state is currently under Level 1 restrictions requiring residents to wear masks and maintain physical distance.
Valuation work can continue unhindered within the state. Members who are engaged to perform valuations interstate, please refer to the current travel advice from SA Government.
Western Australia
WA remains in a state of emergency, retaining its hard border closures and encouraging all residents to continue to check-in at businesses and venues. For further information on what you can and can’t do within the state follow the WA Covid pages. At present, there are no restrictions in place that affect valuation work. For the latest updates affecting the state visit www.wa.gov.au.
Resources
- ACT Lockdown – essential workers
- ACT Lockdown – reasons you can leave home
- NSW Regional – reasons you can leave home
- NSW – authorised workers
- NT Lockdown – essential workers
- QLD – border restrictions
- QLD – essential workers
- SA – COVID-19 Level 1 Restrictions
- VIC – authorised workers
Restrictions for valuations: State-by-state breakdown for valuers
