Police Auctions in Australia by State (2026): Who Sells Unclaimed and Seized Goods

Australian police forces do not run their own auction websites. Each state and territory sells unclaimed and forfeited property through a contracted auctioneer: Grays sells for WA Police (named on the WA Government's own site), Allbids runs NSW Police Recovered Goods and AFP sales in Canberra, Lloyds runs Queensland Police seized property sales, and Breen Auction Group sells Victoria Police property from West Footscray. Holding periods are set by each state's law: Tasmania Police, for example, keeps lost property for three months before it may be sold, and Queensland Police can dispose of property 30 days after publishing a notice. On 23 September 2026 we had 122 live WA Police lots from Grays in our Australian feed, and seven South Australia Police vehicles on Pickles.

This guide goes state by state: the law that allows the sale, the auctioneer that runs it, and what we list.

How police property reaches auction

Police property falls into three groups, and all of them can end up at auction:

• Lost and found property that nobody claims within the legal holding period.
• Seized property that is no longer needed as evidence and is not returned to its owner.
• Forfeited property, including vehicles and goods forfeited by court order or under confiscation laws.

In every state, sale proceeds from unclaimed property go to government revenue (usually the state's consolidated fund or treasury), not to the police force directly. Buyers get the item "as is", with no warranty.

New South Wales

Law. The Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 lets the Commissioner sell unclaimed property at public auction (section 221 covers property not connected with an offence; sections 219 and 220 cover property connected with an offence or forfeited). Proceeds go to the Consolidated Fund.

Who sells. Allbids runs "NSW Police Recovered Goods" sales online. Combined Auctions has also run NSW Police jewellery sales. NSW Police does not publish a single auctioneer page, so check the auctioneers' own listings.

What we list. We index Allbids' vehicle, IT, office and plant categories, not its police sales, so NSW Police lots do not appear in our feed. NSW government and council lots do: browse the New South Wales hub.

Victoria

Law. Section 57 of the Victoria Police Act 2013 covers the disposal of unclaimed property. If property is sold at public auction, the auction must first be notified in the Government Gazette, and proceeds go to the Consolidated Fund.

Who sells. Breen Auction Group, at 15 to 19 Sunshine Road, West Footscray, runs Victoria Police auctions of unclaimed and forfeited goods.

What we list. We do not index Breen, so Victoria Police lots do not appear in our feed. Victorian government fleet vehicles do: see the Victoria hub.

Queensland

Law. Under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, Queensland Police publish notices of lost, found and seized property (sections 718 and 719). If nobody claims an item within 30 days of the notice, the Commissioner may dispose of it. Vehicles are covered by section 127, which allows sale by public auction one month after notice.

Who sells. Lloyds Auctions runs regular "Police Seized Property and Unclaimed Jewellery" sales and describes itself as an endorsed auctioneer for Queensland Police.

What we list. We do not index Lloyds, so Queensland Police lots do not appear in our feed. See the Queensland hub for the government lots we do carry.

Western Australia

Law and seller. The WA Government's own page on police property auctions names Grays as the auctioneer, with sales run online at grays.com. Sales are titled "WA Police Uncollected & Forfeited Goods" and split into vehicles, motorbikes, bicycles, jewellery, marine and general goods. Items are sold as is, with pickup within three business days.

What we list. We index Grays, and WA Police is the police force with the most lots in our feed. On 23 September 2026 we had 122 live WA Police lots, all for collection from Jandakot: 59 general goods, 50 bicycles, 6 jewellery, 5 marine and 2 motorbikes. Browse them on the Western Australia hub.

South Australia

Law. The SA Law Handbook notes that impounded vehicles not collected within 10 days of release, or subject to a forfeiture order, may be sold, generally by public auction or tender.

Who sells. General lost and recovered goods have been sold through Evans Clarke National at Woodville North. SA Police vehicles appear on Pickles: on 23 September 2026 we had seven, listed by the vendor "South Australia Police" at Salisbury Plain (2007 and 2008 Ford Falcons, a Calais, an Outback, an Outlander, an A4 and a Yaris).

What we list. We index Pickles, so SA Police vehicles appear in our feed. We do not index Evans Clarke. See the South Australia hub.

Tasmania

Law. Tasmania Police hold lost property for three months. Unclaimed items may then be sold, with the money paid to Treasury. The police page cites the Criminal Code Act 1924 and the Police Offences Act 1935.

Who sells. Tasmania Police does not name an auctioneer on its lost property page. Ask the station or Tasmania Police directly.

What we list. Tasmanian government fleet vehicles on Pickles appear in our Tasmania hub. Tasmania Police property does not.

Australian Capital Territory (AFP and ACT Policing)

Who sells. Allbids auctions recovered goods for the Australian Federal Police, which also polices the ACT. Allbids describes more than 500 items a month coming from the AFP's Exhibit Management Centre at Mitchell, with proceeds returned to the AFP. Search Allbids for "AFP seized and recovered goods".

What we list. We do not carry Allbids' police sales, so AFP lots do not appear in our feed. Canberra government and fleet lots do: browse the ACT hub.

Northern Territory

Law. Under the Police Administration Act 1978, the Commissioner may dispose of property left unclaimed 28 days after a public notice listing it. NT Police publishes these disposal lists on the PFES website.

Who sells. We could not confirm which auctioneer currently handles NT Police property. Check the published disposal notice or ask NT Police how the listed goods will be sold.

What we list. NT government fleet vehicles on Pickles appear in our Northern Territory hub.

Quick reference

What you can buy

• Bicycles. A large share of most police sales. WA Police alone had 50 bicycles live on the day we counted.
• Tools. Power tools, hand tools and tool kits, often without batteries or chargers.
• Phones, laptops and electronics. Frequently locked to a previous owner's account. Price them as parts unless the listing says otherwise.
• Jewellery and watches. Sold in mixed lots or individually, usually without authentication.
• Vehicles, motorbikes and boats. Forfeited or uncollected impounded vehicles, sold unregistered in most cases.

Buying tips

Budget the full cost. Grays, Allbids and Lloyds charge a buyer's premium, and GST applies. Our GST and buyer's premium guide walks through the maths.

Collection windows are short. WA Police lots on Grays must be collected within three business days. Plan the trip before you bid.

Check vehicles on the PPSR. Forfeited vehicles should be sold clear of finance, but a $2 PPSR search confirms whether any security interest, write-off or stolen record is listed. See our guide to PPSR, rego and roadworthy after an auction.

Your consumer rights are limited. The ACCC says most consumer guarantees do not apply at traditional auctions where an agent sells for the owner, but the guarantees of clear title, undisturbed possession and no hidden debts still do.

For the wider picture of who sells government surplus in each state, read government auctions by state and territory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are police auctions held in Australia?

Online, through each state's contracted auctioneer. Grays sells WA Police uncollected and forfeited goods, Allbids runs NSW Police Recovered Goods and AFP sales in Canberra, Lloyds runs Queensland Police seized property sales, and Breen Auction Group sells Victoria Police property from West Footscray. Collection is from the auctioneer's yard.

Are there police auctions in Canberra?

Yes. Allbids auctions recovered goods for the Australian Federal Police, which also runs ACT Policing. Allbids describes more than 500 items a month coming from the AFP's Exhibit Management Centre at Mitchell, with proceeds returned to the AFP.

How long do police keep lost property before selling it?

It depends on the state. Tasmania Police hold lost property for three months. Queensland Police can dispose of property 30 days after publishing a notice, and NT Police 28 days after a public notice. NSW and Victoria allow sale of unclaimed property under their police powers acts, with Victoria requiring a Government Gazette notice before a public auction.

Can I buy police seized cars in Australia?

Yes. Forfeited and uncollected vehicles are sold through the same auctioneers, usually unregistered. WA Police vehicles and motorbikes go through Grays, SA Police vehicles appear on Pickles, and Queensland allows impounded vehicles to be sold at public auction one month after notice. Check the vehicle on the PPSR and budget for a roadworthy or safety inspection before registration.

Does GovAuctions list police auctions?

Partly. WA Police uncollected and forfeited goods (sold by Grays) and SA Police vehicles (sold on Pickles) appear in our Australian feed. We do not carry Allbids' police sales (NSW Police and AFP), Breen (Victoria) or Lloyds (Queensland), so those are not in our feed.

Is it legal to buy stolen goods at a police auction?

Yes. Police auctions sell property the law allows them to dispose of once it is unclaimed or forfeited, and the ACCC's guarantee of clear title applies at auction. The original owner's claim ends when the item is lawfully sold.