- Published:
- Saturday, 5 April 2025
The Allan Labor Government’s underquoting taskforce is back in Melbourne’s north-east this weekend as part of its autumn inspection blitz, after attending auctions in the same area last month to monitor compliance.
More than 20 inspectors are returning to the area to follow up on recent inspections and ensure auction and sales rules are followed.
The taskforce monitored all auction campaigns and attended more than 25 auctions last month in Doncaster and surrounding suburbs. Taskforce officers will visit several more auctions this weekend to speak with estate agents and consumers, check for estate agent compliance and monitor for potential underquoting.
The latest blitz comes after Consumer Affairs Victoria this week launched new disciplinary action against a Yarraville real estate agency and its director for alleged breaches of property sales laws in numerous sales campaigns across Melbourne.
This latest legal action is the first disciplinary proceeding launched by the taskforce. Disciplinary proceedings can lead to the suspension or permanent cancellation of an estate agent’s licence.
Since it was launched in September 2022, the taskforce has received more than 3900 complaints through its dedicated webform, monitored over 2,440 sales campaigns and attended 250 auctions.
It has now issued more than 220 official warnings and more than 160 fines – totalling more than $1.8 million – to agents caught breaching their obligations.
Victorians are encouraged to report suspected instances of underquoting to Consumer Affairs Victoria at consumer.vic.gov.au/underquoting.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Consumer Affairs Nick Staikos
“We continue to support homebuyers by continuing to stamp out illegal underquoting practices across the state, making the property market fairer for Victorian families.”
“Our underquoting taskforce is out and about in the community sending a strong message to estate agents that underquoting is illegal and will not be tolerated.”
“Consumer Affairs Victoria has already issued more than 160 fines worth more than $1.8 million and with new laws passed as part of our Housing Statement reforms, penalties will increase.”