About us

The Victorian Institute of Municipal Valuers was founded in 1931 to address challenges such as valuing specialised properties and adapting to legal and technical changes. In 1958, it merged with the Commonwealth Institute of Valuers, forming the Municipal Valuers Group.

Key legislative milestones included the 1960 Valuation of Land Act, which introduced a uniform valuation cycle, and the 1979 mandate for all practising valuers to be registered. The establishment of the Valuer-General’s Office further improved coordination and supervision of municipal valuations.

Technological advancements since the 1970s have transformed valuation practices. Municipal valuers are now at the forefront of technology utilising computerised tools for data management, analysis, modelling and calculations. Our group faces the challenges and benefits of the ever-changing landscape of technology, and we are eager to see how AI can transform our industry.

Legislative reforms, including the Local Government Act 1989 and updates to the Valuation of Land Act 1960, have modernised the sector. Over the past decades, municipal valuers have adapted to evolving responsibilities including appearances at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), influencing changes in valuation standards and maintaining their critical role in local governance.

Since 2019, the Municipal Group of Valuers has navigated changes to the revaluation structure from bi-annually to an annual cycle, keeping its members up to date running webinars, in-person events and the infamous Country Conference.

The Municipal Group of Valuers has also created our CPV Study Program which was specifically designed for graduate and RPV valuers looking to gain exposure to important cross-sections of the property valuation industry and ultimately achieve CPV accreditation.

A Brief History

1931 – Formation of The Victorian Institute of Municipal Valuers

The establishment of the group was driven by the increasing significance of municipal rates and the growing complexity of the legislative controls applying to rating valuations.

1958 – Merger with the Commonwealth Institute of Valuers

The Commonwealth Institute of Valuers was formed at around the same time as the VIMV and many members held dual memberships. Following an approach by the CIV is was agreed that the VIMV would merge with CIV with VIMV operating as a committee of that organisation.

1969 – First publication of the Municipal Valuers Journal

The Journal has long been a source of important guidance and information for rating valuers and continues to be so.

1996 – Council Amalgamations

Following decades of debate Victorian Councils went through an amalgamation process in 1996. With the number of municipalities being reduced from 210 to 78. The amalgamation process had a significant impact on the Group and its members with many staff valuers leaving the rating sector.

1997/8 – Competitive Tendering of Rating Valuation Services

1998 Saw the introduction of compulsory market testing of local government functions. As a Council service which had existing direct competition from the private sector, rating valuations was often one of the first areas to be put to tender. Many in-house valuers lost their positions or elected to join private sector providers. Thus began a period of significant change for the group as an increasing proportion of the membership was employed in the private sector.

1999 – Introduction of Valuation Best Practice

Following a number of studies into the potential computerisation of rating valuations “Valuations Best Practice” was introduced along with various amendments to the Local Government Act. MGV members pioneered the delivery of computerised mass valuations in Australia and embraced the radical transformation of valuations from the traditional manual, field card based approach to the use of relational databases and the development of sophisticated computer models.

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Committee Members