Short answer
A Certified Practising Valuer, often shortened to CPV, is a qualified property valuer recognised to provide professional valuation advice within the scope of the valuer’s competence, instructions and professional obligations.
For formal property valuation work, the valuer’s qualifications, experience, independence, scope of work, inspection basis and report reasoning are important. A CPV valuation is different from an agent appraisal, online estimate or informal price opinion.
Why this matters
Many valuation reports are used for legal, taxation, accounting, revenue, estate, SMSF or dispute-related purposes. In those settings, the reader usually needs more than a broad indication of price.
The report should identify who prepared it, the purpose of valuation, the valuation date, the basis of value, the property interest assessed, the evidence relied upon and the assumptions or limitations that apply.
What a CPV does
A CPV assesses market value or another stated basis of value for a property interest as at a specific date. The work may involve inspection, document review, market research, comparable sales analysis, rental or income evidence and written reporting.
The valuer’s role is to provide an independent opinion of value. The valuer is not acting as a selling agent, advocate, solicitor, accountant, financial adviser, building inspector or town planner unless separately qualified and specifically instructed for that purpose.
CPV valuation compared with other estimates
An agent appraisal may assist with sale context, but it is usually prepared for listing or selling advice. An online estimate is generated from available data and cannot inspect the property. A statutory land value is prepared for government charging purposes and is not the same as an improved property market valuation.
A formal valuation should explain the valuation question being answered and the evidence supporting the conclusion.
Related glossary
Certified Practising Valuer; Valuer; Market value; Scope of work; Reliance; Valuation report.
Related articles
- Valuation vs agent appraisal
- Who can rely on a valuation report?
- Why does the purpose of valuation matter?
- What is market value?
Related services
Prepared by:
Tigran Amiyants, Certified Practising Valuer (CPV), Managing Director, Northbourne Valuers.
Last reviewed:
July 2026.
General information note:
This page provides general information only and does not constitute valuation, legal, taxation, financial or selling advice. Every valuation depends on the specific property, purpose, valuation date, evidence, assumptions and instructions.