Agent Commission & Fees Guide
Compare average real estate commissions, marketing costs, and tiered pricing structures across Australian states.
Average Agent Commissions by State
Real estate commissions are not regulated in Australia; they are determined by competition and local market dynamics. Below is a breakdown of average commission rates state-by-state:
| State | Average Commission Rate | Commission on $800,000 Sale |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales (NSW) | 2.0% - 2.5% | $16,000 - $20,000 |
| Victoria (VIC) | 1.8% - 2.4% | $14,400 - $19,200 |
| Queensland (QLD) | 2.2% - 2.8% | $17,600 - $22,400 |
| Western Australia (WA) | 2.1% - 2.6% | $16,800 - $20,800 |
| South Australia (SA) | 2.0% - 2.5% | $16,000 - $20,000 |
| Tasmania (TAS) | 2.5% - 3.0% | $20,000 - $24,000 |
| ACT & NT | 2.2% - 3.2% | $17,600 - $25,600 |
Commission Structure Options
Sellers can negotiate two primary types of commission structures with agents:
- Fixed / Flat Commission: You pay a set percentage of the final sale price (e.g. 2.2% regardless of the final price). This structure is easy to budget, but offers no extra incentive for agents to push beyond price expectations.
- Tiered / Scale Commission: Introduces performance incentives. For example, you agree to pay 2.0% on any sale price up to $800,000, and a higher rate of 10% on any amount achieved above that. This aligns the agent's financial reward directly with securing a premium outcome.
Understanding Marketing Fees
Marketing expenses are generally charged separately from the commission fee, ranging from $2,000 to over $8,500 depending on the property's scale and target demographics.
These fees cover professional photography, floorplan drafts, physical signboards, video brochures, and premium listing placements on major digital portals. Ensure your agency agreement specifies all marketing line items clearly.
GST & Legal Agreements
By law in Australia, any quoted commission rates or marketing estimates provided to consumers by agents must state whether they are inclusive of the 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Make sure you review the agency agreement carefully to confirm the commission rate is expressed as "inclusive of GST." If not, you will need to add 10% on top of the calculated invoice at settlement.