The event will see 30 local budding auctioneer put their skills to the test and battle it out for the top spot.

Held annually, the competition allows up-and-coming auctioneers to try their hand at auctioneering, without the pressure of selling a property. 

Entrants auction off an item of their choice. Previous items include fine dining packages, a remote-controlled toy Ferrari and corporate tickets to an NRL match.

A panel of judges then score each entrant on their ability to auction with confidence and poise, how well the item is described and their control of bidding and using the gavel.

The Novice Auctioneers Competition (NAC) has helped to launch the career of many professionals, including this year's heat leaders, Damien Cooley from Cooley Auctions and Jesse Davidson from auctionWORKS.

Last year’s winner, Oliver Burton, is now an auctioneer at Cooley Auctions.

Coming from a background as a trained actor, Mr Burton said he was determined to find a way to break into auctioneering. 

"I knew the experience of the competition would prove invaluable regardless of the outcome," Mr Burton said.

"I’m thrilled and very grateful to have won NAC 2018, which has landed me a role as a full-time auctioneer with the brilliant team at Cooley Auctions. Win, lose or draw, the chance to be seen by that many industry leaders at once is worth grabbing with both hands, and I encourage any budding auctioneer to enter.”

REINSW President Leanne Pilkington said the competition is a great way for young industry professionals to try their hand at the craft.

"Previous winners and finalists have gone on to have stellar careers as auctioneers and I look forward to seeing what the fresh talent from this year will bring to the competition," she told WILLIAMS MEDIA.

Eight heats will be held across New South Wales, with the state final event to be held on 13 June at Sydney's Custom House. 

The NAC 2019 heats are as follows:

• Sydney East – 13 March, led by Paul Millet, auctioneer at Cooley Auctions
• Sydney CBD – 5 April, led by auctionWORK’s chief auctioneer and director, Jess Davidson
• Newcastle – 10 April, led by Robinson Property’s Neil Moore and Century 21’s Wayne Stewart
• Dee Why – 1 May, led by former REINSW president and founder of Cunninghams Real Estate, John Cunningham
• Castle Hill – 14 May, led by Harcourts CEO Mark Morrison
• Wollongong – 16 May, led by Molenaar + McNeice’s Trever Molenaar
• Inner West – 23 May, led by LJ Hooker’s Toby Llewellyn  

The winner will receive $1,000 in prize money, two tickets to the REINSW Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, and priceless industry opportunities to refine their skills, including the opportunity to conduct the 2020 Women in Real Estate charity auction.

Novice auctioneers looking to enter must register online, and can do so up until three days before their heat.

For more information about the Novice Auctioneers Competition 2019 or to register, visit the REINSW website.

Related reading:

Actor Oliver Burton wins REINSW Novice Auctioneers Competition

Get to know Vincent Doran, winner of 2018 Schools Auctioneering Championship

Women dominate novice auctioneering competition