Inside This Week’s Police Auction Market – 5 Upcoming Sales inc Police Recovered Goods, Seized Vehicles & Forfeited Jewellery
We track upcoming police, sherriff, and government-seized goods auctions across Australia. This week we feature 5 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
Canberra’s commercial property market just got a fresh listing with a distinctly bureaucratic flavour. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has placed its Civic office block on the market, a move tied to the department’s upcoming relocation to the so-called ‘spy precinct’ in Barton. For buyers tracking government disposals, this is the kind of asset that rarely hits the open market, and it signals a shift in how the Commonwealth is rationalising its real estate footprint (The Canberra Times, Aug 27).
Vehicle auctions remain the bread and butter of sheriff sales this week. The Victoria Sheriff’s Office is running a steady pipeline through Autorola, with listings including a 2015 Isuzu D-Max, a 2021 Isuzu D-Max and a 2022 Hyundai i30, with bidding closing between August 26 and September 2. These are supplemented by ongoing eBay and marketplace sales of seized assets, which continue to offer a lower-friction entry point for buyers who prefer not to compete in a formal auction room (Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria, Aug 26).
Two other angles are worth noting for the week. Sydney Airport has kicked off its 2026 lost property auction, with more than 2,300 items across tech, jewellery and accessories going under the virtual hammer from August 30. The twist here is that proceeds are directed to Bayside Council’s free swimming and water safety programs, which adds a civic benefit to what is usually a pure clearance exercise (Sydney Airport, Aug 30). Separately, the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 project has pushed more than 600 lots of surplus civil construction materials and infrastructure equipment into an online auction via Lloyds Auctions, with bidding starting from $1. This is a strong indicator that major infrastructure projects are becoming a reliable source of heavy equipment and materials for savvy buyers (The GC Minute, Aug 19).
Watch for further listings from state sheriff offices as they clear end-of-financial-year backlogs, particularly in the light commercial vehicle segment.
Last updated: 31 Aug 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.
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
Victoria
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Sheriff’s Office of Victoria eBid Auction
More detail
This is a straight statutory disposal, meaning what you see is what you get. Autorola runs these high-volume clearances regularly, and the Victorian Sheriff’s Office listings tend to be genuine no-frills sales. There are only three lots here, so it is a tighter field than their usual national rollouts, but that often means less competition on the day.
The key draw is the variety within the light vehicle segment. You are looking at ex-fleet sedans and likely a ute or van based on the categories, all coming from government or corporate origins. These are typically well-documented service histories, but they are sold as salvage or statutory write-offs, so check the condition reports carefully. No roadworthy certificates are provided, and you will need to arrange your own transport and any necessary permits.
For a buyer chasing a project car, a parts donor, or a cheap runabout with a clear Victorian title process, this is worth a look. Autorola’s platform is straightforward, and the close date gives you time to do your due diligence. Just factor in the auction fees and the cost of getting the vehicle home before you bid.
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Victoria Police Auction — THURSDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER 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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Police Seized Property & Jewellery
Lloyds Auctions — multi-lot online auction. Categories include vehicles, jewellery, collectables, plant and equipment, and general goods.
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