Going once, going twice....any takers? Registrations are now open for licensed auctioneers in New South Wales to participate in the local heats for the Australasian Auctioneering Championships, conducted by the Real Estate Institute of Australia and its NSW affiliate, the Estate Agents Co-operative. Contestants must have performed more than 10 real estate auctions in the past 12 months, and can only compete in the state or territory where they live.

The Australasian Real Estate Institutes’ Auctioneering Championships were first held in 1993, and showcase the most professional and skilled auctioneers that Australia and New Zealand have to offer. Devised bidding processes will test the auctioneers’ aptitude, attention and ability to think on their feet. To be successful, competitors have to deal with a range of testing questions and unpredictable bids judged by some of the industry’s leading auctioneer professionals, including chief judge Geoff Hunter, Stephen Pratt, Matthew Harvey, Scott Kennedy-Green of McGrath Estate Agents, Brian Cannan of Think Real Estate and Chris Mourd, Head of Network for LJ Hooker Group.

The New South Wales heat, which will be held at Novotel Sydney Olympic Park on June 23, will see two of the state’s top auctioneers progress onto the national championship to join contestants from around Australia and New Zealand. The national event is being held in Melbourne on September 1 to 3. Register here.