How Much Are Real Estate Agent Fees & Commissions in Australia?

If you’re thinking about selling, the first number to understand isn’t your asking price — it’s what the sale will cost you. Agent fees in Australia aren’t fixed by law; they’re negotiated, they vary by state and suburb, and they’re often quoted in ways that make comparison difficult. Here’s a plain-English breakdown.

Residential agent commission

Most residential agents charge a percentage commission, commonly in the range of 2% to 3% of the sale price plus GST in metropolitan areas, and often higher in regional areas. On an $800,000 home, that’s roughly $16,000–$24,000 before you’ve paid for anything else. Some agents offer fixed fees, and tiered structures (a lower rate up to a threshold, higher above it) are increasingly common — always read the agency agreement closely.

Marketing costs come on top

Commission usually doesn’t include marketing. Agents typically ask sellers to fund the advertising campaign up front — portal listings, photography, floor plans, signboards and sometimes print. Depending on the package, this adds thousands more, and it’s generally payable whether or not the property sells.

Commercial and business sales

Commercial commissions are negotiated deal by deal and, together with marketing budgets, commonly total far more than residential fees. Business brokers typically charge a percentage of the sale price as well — on even a modest business sale the broker’s cut can be a five-figure sum.

The alternative: fixed-fee private selling

All of those costs exist to buy one thing: exposure to buyers. But the portals buyers search — realestate.com.au, domain.com.au, realcommercial.com.au — can carry your listing without a commission attached. As a licensed agency, For Sale For Lease lists your property for a once-off fixed fee and passes every enquiry straight to you:

• Residential sale — $799 until sold
• Residential lease — from $200
• Commercial sale — $795 until sold
• Commercial lease — $795 until leased
• Business sale — $1,495 until sold

Whatever your property sells for, the fee doesn’t change — and there is no commission at settlement.

Want to see what selling privately involves step by step? Start with our how-to guides or call 7 days on 1300 622 300.