Benefits to Members

Membership to the AVI provides benefits whether you are a current student to become a

property valuer or an existing professional working within the industry. The AVI is owned

and controlled by members who are all registered property valuers proud to be part of a

highly ethical valuation body ...read more

Chairman's Address to Members

The current global financial crisis has impacted many businesses and the Australian Valuers

Institute is not exempt. We thank all existing members for their continued membership and

support. It is in times such as these, with continued pressure being placed upon valuers to

deliver above and beyond with often greater risk and yet unrealistic financial recompense,

that the role of an institution solely dedicated to representing the well being of the valuation

industry is paramount.

The AVI is the only institution in Australia that has existed solely to serve the best interests

of property valuers in NSW for over 70 years and we continue to do so. The AVI now has

plans to build upon that history and expand, providing representation to valuers on a

national basis. The AVI retains a name that is linked very closely to the provision of quality

valuation services and the Institute is constantly called upon to recommend valuers in

geographic locations all over Australia. We need members in other states to refer valuation

work to. Whilst the AVI has to date only operated in NSW, we now see this as the time to

expand into all other States and this will allow the AVI to solely serve property valuers

nationally.

Proposed Changes

The AVI website continues to be a site that most consumers nationally and internationally

hit when looking for valuation services not only in NSW, but all over Australia. Board

members are constantly called to give recommendations for appointing valuers in other

states. We would now like to extend this referral service to valuers throughout Australia

who become AVI members.

The AVI intends to change its constitution to allow membership of valuers from throughout

Australia. Should this occur, the AVI would be able to refer interstate enquiries to local

valuers who are members of the AVI.

All members will be listed on a free AVI website register for all consumers to access and call

valuers directly if preferred. Member profiles will be the next step. Specific specialised

valuation requests will be referred to valuers with appropriate specialisations.

CPV and CPD

Together with your AAVI or FAVI post nominal membership, the AVI issues valuers meeting

specific criteria with a CPV (Certified Practicing Valuer) certificate classification as well as

CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certificates. The enhanced AVI website will

provide more information regarding CPV and CPD.

Recent AVI discussions with Genworth (One of Australia’s largest Mortgage Insurers) advise

that Genworth will accept membership of the AVI along with CPV compliance in order for 

Valuers to provide services in certain Australian jurisdictions. The AVI agrees with Genworth

regarding the need for mortgage valuers to have acceptable experience before undertaking

this type of valuation service. The use of CPV and CPD will facilitate a satisfactory

educated/experienced level of valuer to meet these Mortgage Insurer requirements.

Operation of the AVI

Following the constitutional changes, the AVI will remain a not for profit organisation. This

means that we aim for all of our operating costs to be break even. This has been the mode

of operation for 70 years and this will remain the case. The AVI currently has no employed

staff and the dedicated board members give their time without fees. This will not change.

Membership, CPV, CPD, conferences and seminars should never be used as an opportunity

to make institutes wealthy at the expense of members. For example:

• Membership at $300 & $400(with PSC) per annum and CPV and CPD certificates at $35

each just meets our operational costs.

• Generally our full day conferences with 5 speakers run at a cost of $165 per delegate

including morning and afternoon tea, lunch and the facilities. This is break even. 

We understand that the majority of our members are not registered for GST and cannot

benefit from the GST they currently pay as part of their membership renewal. In this regard

the AVI as of 1 July 2009 will be deregistered for GST and will no longer need to include a

GST component to renewal fees.

We understand that in the current market, the need to balance both constraints on members

time with the need to remain current to changes within the industry.  As such research and

development is currently taking place for the facilitation of online CPD activities, again to be

at a reasonable cost.

If our valuer colleagues from other states get on board and a greater national membership

is created, I see no reason why the AVI would not be in a position to reduce yearly

membership fees further. There’s a first.

Interstate Consultation

To date, we have expressed our intention to expand the AVI to some valuers in Queensland

and the response was overwhelmingly positive. I am informed that Valuers in Queensland

want an Institute that solely represents valuers and this gives them an alternative to existing

professional institutes.

If the other states respond in a similar manner through membership application, the AVI can

truly represent the interests of valuers nationally. It takes the support of valuers who are

interested in their future to make this work.

Limited Liability Scheme

The NSW members would be aware that the AVI is the only institution that participates with

the Professional Standards Council (PSC) to provide a limited liability scheme for valuers

and their respective businesses. Like Solicitors, Barristers, Engineers and Accountants,

Valuers have the ability to cap their personal liability in the event of a claim.

The AVI is currently in discussion with the PSC to explore the consideration of duplicating

the NSW scheme for other states if the demand exists into the future. We are also

discussing changes with PSC to allow greater flexibility for greater member participation.

Valuers should have their personal liability capped like other professions and your

membership will allow this protection to expand into other states.  

Member Services

The AVI Board believes its role is to serve the best interests of property valuers through the

dissemination of information, education, standards, representation and provision of networks

and systems to refer valuation work.

The Board sees a correlation between the mentoring of students and new graduates as being

vital in developing a strong industry and association.  Given there are many valuers with

many years of experience, we are seeking to tap that knowledge by developing a forum for

networking with students or younger valuers.  This is one way to share your knowledge and

reduce risk in the industry.

The Way Forward

In order to expand the AVI to a national operation, the Board of the AVI seeks the support

of the existing membership through a special resolution.  This resolution would allow the AVI

board to update and make the constitutional changes that will allow national membership.

If you are an existing financial member, please be sure to look out for the details regarding

our next conference. It is intended to use this opportunity with members in attendance to

vote for this constitutional change. It is very important that you participate in this process to

ensure the ongoing viability of the AVI.

Other Membership Matters

If you are an existing long term associate member, please consider an upgrade of your

membership status to fellow when renewing this year. Your fees would remain the same.

We do not charge greater membership fees for your greater experience.

We remind all existing unfinancial members to renew membership as soon as they are able

and to take advantage of the CPV classification and CPD certificates available. If you have

let your membership lapse for 2008, please use this as an opportunity to renew your

membership as of the 2009 renewal date without the necessity to pay outstanding previous

years renewal fees.

If you are aware of colleagues who are not yet members of the AVI, but who may be

interested in joining the Institute, please pass on this correspondence and the attached 

Membership form for them to return to the AVI.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Institute.  I look forward to continuing to work

with you to ensure its ongoing viability and growth. I have represented the industry on the

board of the AVI for 16 years. I have a serious passion for representation and commitment

to our valuation industry. I would like to welcome any valuers interested in joining the AVI

to make application.  

Chairman

Australian Valuers Institute

Risk Management Guidance

There are varying levels of awareness of AVI members about loss prevention/risk

management issues and techniques, including the need for AVI members to understand

the legal obligations they face in day-to-day practice.

The risk management guidance notes have been prepared to provide AVI members with

an overview of risk management issues to be considered in relation to all aspects of AVI

members’ practices with a view to increasing and heightening the levels of awareness of

risk management. It is hoped that in reviewing these guidelines, AVI members will have

a raised awareness in relation to these issues ...read more