What each state’s restriction status means for real estate

As Australia adapts to a ‘COVID-normal’ environment in 2021, live auctions and open for inspections are back up and running across most of the country, except in Victoria where a snap five-day lockdown has once again banned real estate activity.

The stage four restrictions will apply from 11:59pm Friday 12 February until 11:59pm Wednesday 17t February 2021. During that time Victorians will be required to wear masks at all times in public and remain within 5km of their home unless they are unable to complete permitted activities, such as grocery shopping or permitted work, within that radius.

Here’s a state-by-state look at what each government is now permitting.

Victoria

From 11.59pm Friday 12 February, home inspections and in-person auctions will be banned.

Inspections:

Open homes are banned from taking place during the five-day lockdown.

In COVID-normal operation, it is mandatory for every Victorian business, including real estate businesses, with on-site operations to have a COVIDSafe Plan. 

Auctions:

In-person auctions are banned during the five-day lockdown, but auctions may be carried out online.

In COVID-normal operation, it is mandatory for every Victorian business, including real estate businesses, with on-site operations to have a COVIDSafe Plan. 

New South Wales

Home inspections and auctions are currently allowed to take place under the following guidelines:

Inspections:

Home inspections can take place with a one person per two square metre density quotient. Children count towards the capacity limit.

Wearing a mask indoors is not mandatory however NSW Health strongly recommends people wear a mask when unable to physically distance.COVIDSafe measures (hand sanitiser and record keeping etc) should be practiced. 

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.

Under NSW Public Health Orders, real estate agents must develop a COVID-19 Safety Plan for open inspections to protect the health of workers and clients.

Auctions:

In-person auctions can take place with a one person per two square metre density quotient. Children count towards the capacity limit.

Wearing a mask is not mandatory however NSW Health strongly recommends people wear a mask when unable to physically distance.COVIDSafe measures (hand sanitiser and record keeping etc) should be practiced. 

Under NSW Public Health Orders, real estate agents must develop a COVID-19 Safety Plan for auctions to protect the health of workers and clients.

Western Australia

Perth, Peel and South West regions are out of lockdown. Some restrictions are in place for Perth and Peel until midnight Sunday 14 February. Home inspections and live auctions are currently allowed to take place under the following guidelines:

Inspections:

In Perth and Peel, home inspections can take place with a one person per four square metre density quotient.

In Perth and Peel, masks must be worn at all times when outside of your place of residence, including at open homes, unless there is a lawful reason not to. Children 12 years of age or under are exempt from wearing a face mask.

For the rest of WA, home inspections can take place with a one person per two square metre density quotient.

For the rest of WA, masks are not mandatory but strongly recommended when 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:

In Perth and Peel, live auctions can take place with a one person per four square metre density quotient. 

In Perth and Peel, masks must be worn at all times when outside of your place of residence, including at open homes, unless there is a lawful reason not to. Children 12 years of age or under are exempt from wearing a face mask.

For the rest of WA, live auctions can take place with a one person per two square metre density quotient.

For the rest of WA, masks are not mandatory but strongly recommended when 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). 

Northern Territory

Home inspections and live auctions are currently allowed to take place under the following guidelines:

Inspections:

There is no limit to the number of people who can attend an open inspection but gatherings of 100 to 500 people in the Territory require a COVID-19 safety checklist.

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 WA Chief Health Officer Directions. 

Auctions:

There is no limit to the number of people who can attend an auction but gatherings of 100 to 500 people in the Territory require a COVID-19 safety checklist.

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 WA Chief Health Officer Directions. 

Queensland

Home inspections and live auctions are currently allowed to take place under the following guidelines:

Inspections:

Home inspections can take place with a one person per two square metre density quotient (one person for every four square metres of available floor space in the home).

Real estate 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) are recommended.

While masks are not mandatory, visitors to open homes are encouraged to wear a mask in any indoor or outdoor space when physical distancing is not possible.

Auctions:

Live auctions can take place with a one person per two square metre density quotient (one person for every four square metres of available floor space)

Real estate 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) are recommended.

While masks are not mandatory, visitors to an auction are encouraged to wear a mask in any indoor or outdoor space when physical distancing is not possible.

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.

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.

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:

The maximum number of attendees at an open inspection will be determined by the size of the home. The density requirement of one person per two square metres applies for open inspections, excluding staff. 

Real estate businesses conducting open inspections must have a COVID-Safe Plan. Any operation with a COVID-Safe Plan must also use an approved contact tracing system. Those who have a COVID-Safe Plan will be issued with a QR code, which will be attached to the approved plan and must be displayed in the premises.

Strict hygiene standards (social distancing, hand sanitiser etc) must be maintained.

Masks are not mandatory but highly recommended. 

Auctions: 

The maximum number of attendees at an auction will be determined by the size of the venue. The density requirement of one person per two square metres applies for auctions, excluding staff. 

Real estate businesses conducting auctions must have a COVID-Safe Plan. Any operation with a COVID -Safe Plan must also use an approved contact tracing system. Those who have a COVID-Safe Plan will be issued with a QR code, which will be attached to the approved plan and must be displayed in the venue.

Strict hygiene standards (social distancing, hand sanitiser etc) must be maintained.

Masks are not mandatory but highly recommended. 

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.

Source