Bidder Registration: Bidder vs Buyer
Understanding who actually needs to register for an auction
One of the easiest ways to become confused during auction registration is to assume the bidder and the buyer or purchaser must always be the same person.
Often they are. Sometimes they are not.
The simplest distinction is this: the bidder is the person actually placing the bids. The buyer or purchaser is the person, people or entity acquiring the property.
Start With the Person Making the Bid
When completing bidder registration, the first question should be: Who will actually be placing the bids with the auctioneer?
That individual is the bidder and is the person the bidder registration process should begin with.
NSW provides a useful example. Its auction rules require people who want to make a bid to register. A person bidding for somebody else or for a company must also provide the appropriate authority allowing them to bid on that party's behalf.
How Auctions Live Handles It
The Auctions Live Electronic Bidder Registration Form is designed around who will actually be bidding.
Scenario 1: The bidder is also the buyer
If John is bidding for himself, he registers using Bidder Registration Type: Myself.
If John is purchasing through a company, trust or super fund and is also authorised to act and sign for that entity, those purchaser details can be captured within the registration.
Scenario 2: The bidder is not the buyer
If Robert attends the auction and bids for Deb and Jake, Robert is the bidder, while Deb and Jake are the buyers.
Robert should register using Bidder Registration Type: Another Individual – Third Party.
Auctions Live captures Robert's bidder details and applicable identification, while the buyer details are recorded separately.
Where the agency has enabled the Electronically Managed Authority to Bid workflow, each buyer can then be sent an electronic request to:
- ●confirm the bidder is authorised to act for them;
- ●accept the agency's Authority to Bid terms;
- ●provide required identification or supporting documents; and
- ●electronically sign their authority.
The agency can then monitor which buyers have completed their authority and resend outstanding requests where required.
“The easiest way to remove confusion is to identify the person actually making the bid first. From there, the buyer details and any authority requirements become much easier to manage.”
Anthony Nounnis, Director of RE Software - Auctions Live | Offers Live
Remember One Simple Question
When completing a bidder registration, ask:
Who will actually be placing the bids with the auctioneer?
That person is the bidder.
They may also be the buyer, or they may simply be authorised to bid for somebody else.
Understanding that distinction makes the entire bidder registration process considerably easier for agents, auctioneers and their clients.
Auction and bidder registration requirements vary between countries, states and territories. Agencies should ensure their chosen registration and Authority to Bid processes comply with the legislation applicable to their jurisdiction.
Posted 21st July, 2026