Inside This Week’s Police Auction Market – 3 Upcoming Sales inc Police Recovered Goods, Seized Jewellery & Confiscated Property
We track upcoming police, sherriff, and government-seized goods auctions across Australia. This week we feature 3sales. 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.
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
Victoria Police is set to move a significant volume of forfeited and unclaimed property on 28 July 2026, with Breen Auction Group listing 298 lots covering alcohol, clothing, electronics like iPhones and laptops, e-scooters, bikes, and power tools from brands such as DeWalt and Makita (Breen Auction, Jul 13). Physical attendance is required for both viewing and bidding at their West Footscray premises, a detail that sets this sale apart from the purely online model used by other jurisdictions.
Western Australia Police continue their steady online disposal of seized assets through the Grays Australia platform, with a regular rotation of power tools, bicycles, sporting goods, vehicles, furniture, and electrical appliances available for remote bidding (Western Australia Police Force, May 8). Meanwhile, Allbids is managing frequent police recovered goods and government surplus auctions across Australia, running multiple weekly closings for items including cars, electronics, jewellery, and collectables sourced from the Australian Federal Police and state forces (Allbids, Jul 15).
The Victorian Sheriff’s Office remains an active channel for debt recovery auctions, publicly selling seized real estate and personal property either online or at physical venues to settle fines and court debts, with items subject to withdrawal if debts are paid before the hammer falls (Victoria Department of Justice, May 20). These auctions often include unique residential and commercial lots not found in standard police seizures, widening the scope for opportunistic buyers.
Watch for last minute catalogue updates from Breen Auction ahead of the 28 July Victoria Police sale, as physical attendance requirements may cap bidder turnout and create value for those who can inspect lots in person.
Last updated: 20 July 2026
Rod’s Tips
Bicycle lots are consistently good value. Police unclaimed property sales regularly include quality bikes that went unreported or unclaimed. Inspect for frame damage and check serial numbers through the BIOS bike registry if you’re concerned.
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.
Australian Capital Territory
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Canberra Recovered Goods
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.
National / Online
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Police Seized Property & Jewellery
More detail
This isn’t just a jewellery grab. Lloyds is clearing a mixed bag of seized goods, with the dirt bike as the obvious headliner for riders. The bike lineup is strong: a red full-suspension mountain bike tagged as brand new, an Ozanda fat bike with full suspension, and a Flight hardtail for trail work. For city commuters, there are Progear and Pedal comfort models, plus a vintage hybrid and a green and purple BMX.
Bidders should check the condition notes on each lot. Some bikes show wear, like the used black hybrid cruiser, while the new mountain bike offers a straight-up bargain. Jewellery and collectables round out the catalogue, so expect rings, watches, or loose stones in the mix. No street address needed: this is an online-only auction, so you bid from home. Close date is firm on July 27.
Victoria
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Victoria Police Auction — TUESDAY 28TH JULY 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.
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