Real Estate Services in Victoria

COVIDSAFE Settings – All real estate services

• Ensure your business has a COVIDSafe plan.
• Owners Corporations should have a COVIDSafe plan for each site.
• Mandatory use of electronic record keeping through the Victorian Government QR code service, Services Vic app.
• Movement across the state is permitted.
• Worker permits are not required.
• Employers are required to adhere to the orders listed under the Pandemic Order Register to ensure only fully vaccinated or excepted workers perform work away from their ordinary place of residence. If an employer does not hold vaccination information about a worker, the employer must treat the worker as if the worker is unvaccinated.

Real estate offices

• It is strongly recommended that people who can work from home, should work from home.
• Businesses may return fully vaccinated or excepted staff to the workplace.
• Office doors can be open, and walk-ins are permitted.
• Face masks must be worn in all indoor settings and outdoors where physical distancing is not possible, unless an exemption applies.
• COVIDSafe Plans must be in place.
• A worker must self-isolate and not attend a work premises if they have been tested for COVID-19 and they are awaiting the result of that test.
• An employer must take reasonable steps to ensure:
  • all workers carry and wear a face covering where appropriate; and
  • implement a COVIDSafe Plan which addresses health and safety issues arising from COVID-19; and
  • keep a record of all persons who attend the work premises, including the person’s name, date and time, contact number and areas of the work premises the person attended; and
  • comply with the Victorian Government QR code system and display appropriate signage for the type of work premises as specified by this Order.

Auctions

• Real estate workers at the auction must be fully vaccinated or be an excepted person.
• Masks must be worn indoors unless an exemption applies.
• Density quotients and attendee limits no longer apply.
• COVID Check-in Marshal is required at each entrance to the premises that is accessible by patrons
  • A COVID Check-in Marshal is an employee responsible for ensuring each person who enters a venue uses the Service Victoria QR code to check in on arrival (or an alternative record keeping method, where relevant).
  • A unique QR code per property is required. All attendees must scan irrespective of the time period of visit. You must use the Victorian Government QR Code Service.

Inspections for sale or lease

• Real estate workers at the inspection must be fully vaccinated or be an excepted person.
• Masks must be worn indoors unless an exemption applies.
• COVID Check-in Marshal is required at every entrance to manage this process
  •  A COVID Check-in Marshal is an employee responsible for ensuring each person who enters a venue uses the Service Victoria QR code to check in on arrival (or an alternative record keeping method, where relevant).
  • A unique QR code per property is required. All attendees must scan irrespective of the time period of visit. You must use the Victorian Government QR Code Service
• Density quotients and attendee limits no longer apply but where possible, limit the number of people in the property at any one time.
• Ensure detailed records are kept of all individuals attending the inspection.
• Health and safety recommendations for an inspection appointment:
  • Ask the potential buyers/ renters to complete a declaration form prior to the appointment, preferably sent via email
  • Face masks must be worn unless an exemption applies
  • Open doors and windows of the property to assist with ventilation
  • Allow time for cleaning before and after the inspection appointment

Owners Corporations

• COVIDSafe Plans must be in place for each site. Ensure you have a record of all occupants.
• Communicate your plan with all occupants and investors.
• Any gyms and/or pools at a site are covered under the Physical Recreation Premises under Open Premises and should refer to the Guidance for the Pandemic (Open Premises) Order 2022 (No. 3).
• QR codes are only required for indoor common areas and are not necessary where the common area may only be a driveway, lawn or other outdoor only area.

Inspections – Routine and other

• Permitted with COVIDSafe measures.
• Real estate workers performing these tasks must be fully vaccinated or be an excepted person.
• Any property visit should be arranged in consultation with the occupants.
• Agents should avoid accompanying the service provider unless necessary.
• Limit services providers to one person at a time in the property.
• Maintain records of all individuals that are given access.

Property visits for appraisals

• Permitted with COVIDSafe measures.
• Real estate workers performing tasks away from their residence must be fully vaccinated or be an excepted person.

Marketing and other services

• Services relating to permitted activity i.e., prospective sales or end of lease inspections, settlement, and other commencement and end of lease activities are permitted. This includes photography, videography, styling etc.
• Real estate workers performing tasks away from their residence must be fully vaccinated or be an excepted person.
• Any property visit should be arranged in consultation with the occupants.
• Agents should avoid accompanying the service provider unless necessary.
• Limit services providers to one person at a time in the property.
• Maintain records of all individuals that are given access.