In short
There is no federal rule on what it costs to sell a home in Australia, and no official table of typical fees. The main cost is the agent’s commission, which in the states we checked is negotiable and agreed in writing before you sign. Marketing costs, the legal work on the contract and the disclosure documents come on top, and they differ by state. This guide gives the cost items, a commission formula and the state rules, so you can get written quotes and compare them.
The cost items
Selling costs are the sum of:
selling costs = agent commission + marketing and advertising + conveyancing or legal work + disclosure documents and certificates + any tax
- Agent commission: for a private sale or auction through an agent.
- Marketing: photography, listing and advertising, charged separately from the commission.
- Conveyancing or legal fees: someone must prepare the contract of sale. NSW says a solicitor or conveyancer should prepare it and should represent you at settlement; the cost is not published.
- Disclosure documents: certificates and reports the law requires you to provide, which differ by state (see vendor disclosure by state).
- Tax: a capital gain on a home that was not your main residence may be taxable (see capital gains tax and your main residence). If you are a foreign resident, buyers must withhold part of the price (see foreign resident capital gains withholding).
Agent commission: the formula
Commission is not a regulated scale. Consumer Affairs Victoria says it “can either be a percentage of the sale price, a fixed fee or a combination of both”. Consumer Protection WA says the same. So:
commission = (agreed percentage × sale price) + any fixed fee
Watch for sliding scales. The Victorian guide gives this example: 3.3% (including GST) up to $500,000 and 3.85% above. You might read it as 3.85% on only the amount above $500,000, but the agent may apply 3.85% to the whole price. By calculation with those example rates, the gap between the two readings is 0.55% × $500,000 = $2,750 for any sale above $500,000. Ask the agent to write the dollar amount for your expected price into the agreement.
Rules by state and territory
| State | What the official sources say |
|---|---|
| NSW | The agency agreement must state the services, fees, payment terms and the estimated selling price. Commission is negotiable. Advertising, auctioneer’s fees, cleaning, decorating or landscaping are payable only if set out in the agreement with amounts or estimates. A one-business-day cooling-off period applies to the agency agreement. |
| VIC | Commission is negotiable, must be recorded on the authority to sell, and the agent must tell you before you sign that it is negotiable. If it is a percentage it must also be shown as a dollar figure. Marketing costs are separate and payable even if the property does not sell unless you negotiate “no sale, no fee” (Consumer Affairs Victoria guide, 2012 edition). |
| QLD | The commission must be set in writing when you appoint the agent. Advertising is usually separate. You only reimburse expenses you agreed to in advance. Once the sale is unconditional, commission is generally owed even if it later falls through. |
| WA | The commission is not a set amount and is recorded on the written authority. Marketing costs are separate and are payable even if the property fails to sell, unless the authority has a “no sale, no fee” arrangement. An agent cannot charge more than you authorised in writing. |
| TAS | The Property Agents and Land Transactions Act 2016 requires a written appointment that says how the agent’s payment is calculated. The appointment cannot run longer than 120 days (other than for developer agents) and either party can end it on up to 30 days’ written notice. |
| SA, ACT, NT | We did not reach an official page we could read on commission for these. Ask Consumer and Business Services (SA), Access Canberra (ACT) or the NT Government for the rule before you sign an agency agreement. |
Changes to watch in Victoria
The Consumer Legislation Amendment Act 2026 (Act 36/2026, Royal Assent 8 September 2026) amends the Sale of Land Act 1962. The bill text says that once the relevant sections start, an agent holding a deposit must not retain commission or auction expenses out of the deposit before settlement, although the vendor may pay them separately, and section 27 (early release of deposit) is repealed. These sections start on a day to be proclaimed, and if not proclaimed earlier they start on 1 July 2027. Until then, the current law applies. Check the authorised Act before relying on the dates.
Other costs to plan for
- Pool and safety items: in NSW a swimming or spa pool certificate must be attached to the contract unless an exemption applies. In WA the seller is responsible for pool and spa enclosures, and for safety switches and smoke alarms in certain homes.
- Strata sales: owners corporation certificates or strata disclosure forms are needed. See the strata title guide.
What it costs: how to compare quotes
- Ask three agents for a written commission in dollars for your expected price, and their marketing plan.
- Ask for a written, itemised schedule of marketing costs and a “no sale, no fee” option.
- Ask a conveyancer or solicitor for a written quote that covers the contract, disclosure documents and settlement.
- Ask the agent how long the appointment lasts and what happens if you sell privately.
Which professional to consult
A real estate agent values and markets the property (real estate agents). A conveyancer prepares the contract and disclosure documents and attends to settlement (conveyancers). A registered tax professional advises on capital gains.
Frequently asked questions
Is agent commission fixed by law in Australia?
In the states we checked (NSW, VIC, QLD, WA) it is negotiable and not set by a regulated scale. It must be agreed in writing.
Do I pay the agent if the sale falls through?
Queensland says that once the sale is unconditional, commission is generally owed even if the sale later falls through. Read the exclusive rights and payment terms in your own agreement.
Do I pay for advertising if my home does not sell?
Often yes. VIC and WA say marketing costs are payable even if the property fails to sell, unless you negotiate a “no sale, no fee” arrangement.
Who pays for the contract of sale?
The seller arranges it. In NSW it should be prepared by a solicitor or licensed conveyancer; ask for a written quote.
Can I sell without an agent?
The sources we read do not cover private selling in detail. You still need a contract and the disclosure documents of your state: see vendor disclosure by state.
More guides on selling
Sources
- Selling a property (nsw.gov.au) (consulted 14 October 2026)
- Agency agreements for the sale of property in NSW (nsw.gov.au) (consulted 14 October 2026)
- Steps to selling a property (nsw.gov.au) (consulted 14 October 2026)
- Real estate: A guide for buyers and sellers (Consumer Affairs Victoria) (consulted 14 October 2026)
- Conveyancing and contracts for sellers (Consumer Affairs Victoria) (consulted 14 October 2026)
- Consumer Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 (Victorian Legislation) (consulted 14 October 2026)
- Commissions (Queensland Government) (consulted 14 October 2026)
- Selling a property (Consumer Protection WA) (consulted 14 October 2026)
- Property Agents and Land Transactions Act 2016 (Tasmanian Legislation) (consulted 14 October 2026)
- Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Subdivision 118-B (Federal Register of Legislation) (consulted 14 October 2026)