Inside This Week’s Police Auction Market – 7 Upcoming Sales inc Seized Jewellery, Ex-Police Vehicles & Recovered Goods
We track upcoming police, sherriff, and government-seized goods auctions across Australia. This week we feature 7 sales. These sales are a mxed bag and that’s what makes them so interesting. Jewellery, bicycles, tools, electronics, and general property are regular fare, but there are always suprise lots. For more insight click the FAQ section below for common questions,or the Trends section for this weeks market report.
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FAQ
What comes up at police auctions?
Unclaimed found property, stolen goods that went unclaimed by owners, and, less commonly, proceeds of crime forfeitures. Bicycles, power tools, electronics, and general household goods are most common. Seized vehicles occasionally appear through specific court-ordered sales.
Are police auction goods clean title?
Unclaimed found property and abandoned goods are sold as clear title. Court-ordered forfeitures may have specific conditions, always read the sale terms carefully and confirm with the auctioneer before bidding on vehicles.
Is there a PPSR risk on police auction vehicles?
Always run a PPSR check on any vehicle regardless of source simply because it’s so cheap to do so. Even government-disposal vehicles can have encumbrances in rare cases. The auctioneer’s title warranty should cover you, but verify before bidding.
Trends & Insights
Council rate-default disposals continue to clear at prices that defy the repair bills. A dilapidated three-bedroom home at Lock in South Australia, seized by Elliston Council over unpaid rates, sold on October 12 for $65,500 despite a repair estimate near $100,000 and no internal inspections permitted, drawing around 12 bidders (realestate.com.au, Oct 12). It was one of several SA council properties recently auctioned to recover arrears, a reminder that sight-unseen conditions are now standard in this channel and that bidding crowds still form around cheap entry points.
On the enforcement side, the AFP-led taskforce restrained seven Gold Coast waterfront properties valued at $12.96 million, alongside cash, crypto and bank funds taking the total to $15.6 million, with the assets to be forfeited and sold and proceeds directed to crime prevention (triSearch, Oct 14). Separate operations reported October 16 saw ABF and NSW Police recover three luxury vehicles, including a Lamborghini and an Aston Martin, plus US$185,000 cash and illicit tobacco from networks exploiting logistics firms in Sydney and Melbourne (The Maritime Executive, Oct 16).
Vehicle data from 306 completed government auctions since June puts the Ford Ranger median at $7,475, with October sales spanning $1,509 to $18,600, including October 14 sales of 2016 and 2020 models through Grays in Queensland and NSW (GovAuctions.app, Oct 14). The spread reflects condition and mileage more than model year, so buyers should price mechanical risk rather than badge value. Forfeited goods also moved steadily, with WA Police’s uncollected and forfeited jewellery auction on October 13 offering 97 lots via Grays in Jandakot, covering pendants, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, watches and foreign currency (Auction Finder, Oct 13).
Watch next week for whether fresh AFP restraint orders translate into early listing notices and for council arrears auctions continuing to test sight-unseen bidding appetite.
Last updated: 19 Oct 2026
Rod’s Tips
Bicycle lots are consistently good value. Police unclaimed property sales regularly include quality bikes that went unreported or unclaimed. Just like any used bike, you’ll likely need to do some repairs and you should factor that into your bidding.
Tool and electronics lots need careful inspection. Power tools at police auctions are often in working condition but may lack accessories or cases. Then, of course, after you buy a charger you find out it doesn’t work! (That’s a common one!)Request a test of anything valuable before the auction closes where inspection is permitted. Otherwise, bid for it’s parts value only.
Major proceeds-of-crime sales are rare and don’t confuse them with routine disposals. The reality is mostly lost bicycles and found phones, not seized luxury cars. Be skeptical of heavily marketed “police auction” events that promise extraordinary finds.
Where I always went wrong at these types of sales You can get some great finds at these sales and most of the people you’ll meet there will be regulars and most likely jewellery traders. They are focused, they never overbid, and they never let a deal slip by. For me, I was never that focussed, just a bargain hunter and I wish I had their focus. I’d get caught by shiny object syndrome, and guaranteed, I’d leave these sales with a collection of stuff that I did not need and would likely have trouble selling. My most important tip to you is simple, focus. Have a list of the lots, mark what you want to bid on after inspection, what its worth after fees, and stick to it. After a string of questionable purchases, and dealing with the varierty of items every sale, I stuck to more consistent sales of things I knew well and knew I could either use or flip succesfully. But, if jewellery, watches,phones, bikes, tools, etc are your thing, then go for it, just be focused.
Victoria
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Victoria Police Jewellery Auction — TUESDAY 20TH OCTOBER 2026
More detail
This is the genuine Victoria Police clearance, so the stock is a mix of the flashy and the forgotten. If you’ve been hunting for a solid gold signet ring or a decent automatic watch without paying retail, this is where the pickings get interesting. The lot list includes the usual suspects, rings and bracelets, but also some heavier pieces that often slip through when the crowd fixates on the obvious sparkle.
Auctioneer breenauction runs these regularly, and the format is straightforward. Bidding closes on the Tuesday, so you’ve got the weekend to sort through the catalogue and pick your targets. The West Footscray location means easy pickup if you win, but check the listing for collection times and any buyer’s premium before you commit.
For anyone who’s done this before, the trick is to look past the polished display shots. Police seizures come in with whatever condition they were found in, so factor in a jeweller’s clean-up if you’re after something to wear straight away. That said, the scrap gold value alone can make the lower-end lots worthwhile, especially if the weights aren’t heavily advertised. Worth a look if you’re after a bargain with a bit of a story.
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Sheriff’s Office of Victoria eBid Auction
More detail
This is a Sheriff’s Office of Victoria eBid auction, which means the vehicles come through statutory channels rather than a dealer forecourt. Autorola handles high-volume car and light commercial disposals across the country, so the process is built for quick turnover.
Five lots is a small catalogue, but statutory auctions often throw up tidy late-model ex-fleet cars and light commercials that have done ordinary road duties. Condition varies lot to lot, so read each listing carefully before bidding.
Buyers should note the close date of 21 October 2026 and check inspection terms through Autorola before committing. With only five lots on offer, competition is spread thin, which suits anyone chasing a workhorse or a cheap second car.
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Victoria Police Auction — TUESDAY 27TH OCTOBER 2026
More detail
Breen Auction Group has been the preferred auctioneer for Victoria Police for over 15 years, so the provenance is solid. This is a classic police auction where you’ll find a grab-bag of seized goods, from cordless drills and angle grinders to laptops, tablets, and stereo gear. There’s also general merchandise that could include everything from homewares to sporting equipment.
The key here is that lots are sold as-is, with no returns. That means a sharp eye on the photos and descriptions pays off. If you’re after workshop tools or cheap electronics to flip, this is the kind of sale where a $10 bid can net a $200 item. Just factor in pickup from Sunshine West and bring cash or card on the day.
Don’t expect a polished retail experience. Police auctions are raw, but for the bargain hunter who knows their gear, the value is often in the unknown. Get in early, inspect if you can, and bid smart.
National / Online
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UNRESERVED EX POLICE BIKES
More detail
Ex-police gear has a reputation for hard use and honest servicing, and this lot leans on both. The three DR-Z400s span 2012 to 2017, a model coppers favoured for its light frame and torquey single. Expect cosmetic scars, high hours, and logbooks that actually mean something.
The three TREK X-Caliber mountain bikes are 19-inch frames, a size that suits a broad range of riders. Ex-fleet bikes usually need a once-over on brakes, cables and tyres before they hit the trail, but the bones are generally sound.
Everything here is unreserved, so the lots sell regardless of price. Six lots total, closing 23 October 2026.
New South Wales
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Police Auction
More detail
AllBids has been running online auctions for over 15 years, and this one is a classic clearance of seized and unclaimed property. The catalogue is a mixed bag of everyday items and the occasional surprise. You will find a stack of bicycles, both kids and adult sizes, plus a decent selection of cordless power tools from Makita and DeWalt.
Electronics feature heavily. There are multiple smartphones, tablets, and laptops, including recent iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models. A handful of smartwatches and headphones are also in the mix. For the home, expect small appliances, some new-in-box items, and a collection of jewellery and watches that could hold hidden value.
Buyers should check each lot carefully. Condition varies from new and unused to clearly second-hand. All lots are sold as-is. Bidding is online only. The close date is yet to be confirmed, so keep an eye on the listing for the final countdown.
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Newcastle General, Council & Police Auction
Newcastle General, Council & Police Auction
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Newcastle General, Council & Police Auction
Newcastle General, Council & Police Auction
Looking for a something else? Check the AuctionFinder homepage for the latest sales by category and state.
AuctionFinder curates upcoming auctions from established Australian auctioneers. We do not conduct the auctions ourselves and are not affiliated with sellers unless stated. Auction details can change! Please be sure to always confirm dates, terms and conditions directly with the auctioneer.










do these auctions still require a deposit before being able to bid? I remember two years ago I went to one in Vic and they wanted $200 to walk in the door, I walked in the door OK, the door to my car and went somewhere else
Breen Auctions in Victoria ask for a $250 cash-only registration fee to participate in their auctions. The fee is fully refundable on the day if no purchases are made. It seems wild at first, and I get where you are coming from, but it’s no big deal. One benefit, if there was one, is that could make the sale a little more exclusive, meaning more realistic prices.
Do you know of any in Queensland?
they are not listed as such, but keep an eye on McDonald Auctions
Cheers