Victorian hotel lost property law: ACL & Fair Trading Act 2012
Published September 2026 • 4 min read • Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012 (Vic), Part 4.2
How long must a hotel keep lost property in Victoria?
Under Part 4.2 of the Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012 (Vic), the hotel must give the guest written notice and then hold the item for a further 28 days. If the guest can't be contacted despite reasonable written attempts, the hotel must wait 60 days for items under $200, 90 days for items worth $200 to $4,999 and 180 days for items worth $5,000 or more.
Hotel lost and found is covered
Part 4.2 covers goods a person has left with a business and not come back for. Consumer Affairs Victoria's own examples include dry cleaning nobody collects and a guest who never collects belongings left in a hotel's lost and found. Before disposing of anything, the hotel must notify the owner in writing and hold the goods for the required time.
The value tiers
Under $200: after written notice, hold the item for 28 days, or 60 days if the guest can't be reached. The hotel can then dispose of it any way, including selling, destroying or keeping it.
$200 to $4,999: written notice goes to the guest and to the owner if that is someone else. Hold for 28 days, or 90 days if the guest can't be reached. The item can only be sold, at public auction or by private sale, for the best price reasonably available.
$5,000 or more: written notice also goes to anyone with an interest registered on the Personal Property Securities Register. Hold for 28 days, or 180 days if the guest can't be reached. Disposal is by public auction (advertised at least seven days ahead) or private sale.
Perishable goods need only a reasonable time after notice, depending on how quickly they will spoil.
Records and leftover money
The hotel must record details of each disposal. If an item is sold, any money left after the hotel's costs is unclaimed money and must be handled under the Unclaimed Money Act 2008. In practice: log the item with a photo, room number and date, email the guest from the details on their booking, keep a copy of every notice and record how the item was disposed of.
How Homebound handles this for VIC properties
Homebound gives every logged item a timestamped history — intake photo, guest notification, courier collection — so a VIC property always has the record this guide describes. Guests enter their own shipping address and pay for courier return themselves, and it costs the hotel nothing.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fixed statutory holding period for lost property in Victoria?+
Yes. After written notice, the hotel must hold the item for a further 28 days. If the guest can't be reached, the wait is 60, 90 or 180 days depending on whether the item is worth under $200, $200 to $4,999 or $5,000 or more.
Can a Victorian hotel give unclaimed items to staff or charity?+
Only items worth under $200, which can be disposed of in any way once the holding period ends. Items worth $200 or more can only be sold at public auction or by private sale, and money left after costs goes under the Unclaimed Money Act 2008.
Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal advice. It summarises the Victoria uncollected goods legislation and is sourced from the relevant consumer affairs publications and the legislation itself. It is correct at the time of writing (September 2026). Laws and guidance change, so check the current Act on the official legislation site before you act on anything here.
Nothing in this guide is advice for your property. Before you dispose of, sell or hand over any guest's belongings, speak to a lawyer or your state consumer affairs office.
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