Real Estate Agent Commission Calculator Australia (2026): How Much Do Agents Really Charge?

See commission calculator here - Input your property value and average commission for you state

Quick Answer

Real estate agent commission in Australia typically ranges from 2.5% to 3.5%, with many sellers paying around 3% once GST is added.

On a $750,000 property, this usually means:

• Commission: $22,500

• + GST (10%): $2,250

• Total commission payable: $24,750

When marketing, listing fees, and legal costs are included, total agent selling costs commonly reach $30,000–$45,000, and can exceed $50,000 on higher-value properties or in regional areas.

This guide breaks down the real numbers — including GST — so you know exactly what you’ll pay before signing an agency agreement.

Calculate your commission on our calculator here

Table of Contents

• Average Real Estate Agent Commission by State (Australia)

• How Real Estate Agent Commission Is Calculated (With GST)

• Hidden Costs Beyond Commission

• Real Estate Commission Calculator by Major City

• How to Reduce Real Estate Agent Fees

• Sell Without an Agent: The Private Sale Alternative

• Real Estate Agent Commission FAQs

Average Real Estate Agent Commission by State (Australia, 2026)

Important: Commission rates below are shown before GST, unless stated otherwise.
GST (10%) is added on top if the agent quotes “plus GST”.

Real Estate Agent Commission in New South Wales

Sydney: ~2.3%–3.0%
Regional NSW: ~2.8%–3.5%

Example – Sydney ($1,200,000 at 2.7%)

• Commission: $32,400

• 
  

• GST (10%): $3,240

• Commission incl. GST: $35,640

Marketing:

• $4,000–$6,000

• 
  

• GST: $400–$600

• Marketing incl. GST: $4,400–$6,600

Total agent costs incl. GST: $40,000–$42,000

Real Estate Agent Commission in Victoria

Melbourne: ~2.2%–3.0%
Regional VIC: ~2.8%–3.5%

Example – Melbourne ($900,000 at 2.8%)

• Commission: $25,200

• 
  

• GST: $2,520

• Commission incl. GST: $27,720

Marketing:

• $3,000–$5,000

• 
  

• GST: $300–$500

• Marketing incl. GST: $3,300–$5,500

Total agent costs incl. GST: $31,000–$33,000

Real Estate Agent Commission in Queensland

Queensland commonly uses a legacy structure:

• 5% on the first $18,000

• 2.5%–3.0% on the balance

Example – Brisbane ($850,000, effective ~2.9%)

• Commission: $24,500

• 
  

• GST: $2,450

• Commission incl. GST: $26,950

Marketing:

• $3,000–$5,000

• 
  

• GST: $300–$500

• Marketing incl. GST: $3,300–$5,500

Total agent costs incl. GST: $30,000–$32,500

Real Estate Agent Commission in South Australia

Metro Adelaide: ~2.5%–3.0%
Regional SA: ~3.0%–3.5%

Example – Adelaide ($700,000 at 2.9%)

• Commission: $20,300

• 
  

• GST: $2,030

• Commission incl. GST: $22,330

Marketing:

• $2,000–$3,000

• 
  

• GST: $200–$300

• Marketing incl. GST: $2,200–$3,300

Total agent costs incl. GST: $24,500–$25,500

Real Estate Agent Commission in Western Australia

Perth: ~2.3%–3.0%
Regional WA: up to ~3.5%

Example – Perth ($650,000 at 2.8%)

• Commission: $18,200

• 
  

• GST: $1,820

• Commission incl. GST: $20,020

Marketing:

• $2,000–$3,000

• 
  

• GST: $200–$300

• Marketing incl. GST: $2,200–$3,300

Total agent costs incl. GST: $22,000–$23,500

Real Estate Agent Commission in Tasmania

Typical range: ~3.0%–3.5%

Example – Hobart ($750,000 at 3.25%)

• Commission: $24,375

• 
  

• GST: $2,437

• Commission incl. GST: $26,812

Marketing:

• $3,000–$4,000

• 
  

• GST: $300–$400

• Marketing incl. GST: $3,300–$4,400

Total agent costs incl. GST: $30,000–$31,000

Real Estate Agent Commission in the ACT

Typical range: ~2.8%–4.0%

Example – Canberra ($900,000 at 3.2%)

• Commission: $28,800

• 
  

• GST: $2,880

• Commission incl. GST: $31,680

Marketing:

• $3,000–$4,000

• 
  

• GST: $300–$400

• Marketing incl. GST: $3,300–$4,400

Total agent costs incl. GST: $35,000–$36,000

Real Estate Agent Commission in the Northern Territory

Darwin: ~2.8%–3.3%

Example – Darwin ($700,000 at 3.1%)

• Commission: $21,700

• 
  

• GST: $2,170

• Commission incl. GST: $23,870

Marketing:

• $2,500–$3,500

• 
  

• GST: $250–$350

• Marketing incl. GST: $2,750–$3,850

Total agent costs incl. GST: $26,500–$28,000

How Real Estate Agent Commission Is Calculated (With GST)

Fixed Percentage Commission

A single percentage applied to the final sale price.

Example

• Sale price: $800,000

• Commission: 3.0% = $24,000

• 
  

• GST: $2,400

• Total commission payable: $26,400

Always confirm whether the quoted rate is inclusive or exclusive of GST.

Tiered or Incentive-Based Commission

A lower rate up to a target price, then a higher rate above it.

Example

• 2.5% up to $800,000

• 6% above $800,000

• Sale price: $850,000

Calculation:

• $800,000 × 2.5% = $20,000

• $50,000 × 6% = $3,000

• Base commission: $23,000

• 
  

• GST: $2,300

• Total payable: $25,300

Despite the “performance” label, tiered commission often results in higher overall fees.

Hidden Costs Beyond Real Estate Agent Commission

Vendor-Paid Advertising & Marketing

Typical spend: $6,000–$12,000 incl. GST

• Photography: $440–$880

• realestate.com.au / Domain listings: $2,200–$4,400

• Signage & brochures: $440–$1,100

• Styling (optional): $2,200–$5,500

Marketing costs are usually payable upfront and are often non-refundable.

Conveyancing & Legal Fees

• $1,200–$2,500

• 
  

• GST: $120–$250

• Total: $1,320–$2,750

Payable whether you sell with an agent or privately.

Auction & Other Costs

• Auctioneer: $500–$1,200

• Styling: $2,000–$5,000

• Certificates & compliance (state-based): $100–$300 each

Real Estate Agent Commission Calculator by Major City (Incl. GST)

• Sydney ($900,000): $31,000–$33,000

• Melbourne ($650,000): $24,000–$25,000

• Brisbane ($950,000): $33,000–$35,000

• Adelaide ($750,000): $25,000–$26,000

• Perth ($700,000): $23,000–$24,000

How to Reduce Real Estate Agent Fees in Australia

• Commission rates are not regulated — always negotiate

• Compare 3–5 agents

• Push for lower percentages on higher-value homes

• Question marketing packages and portal upgrades

• Compare total dollar cost, not headline percentages

Sell Without an Agent: The Private Sale Alternative

For many sellers, the biggest saving comes from not using an agent at all.

Example – $900,000 home

• Agent sale (incl. GST): ~$32,000

• Private sale via AirLister: $699–$1,899 (incl. GST)

• Savings: $30,000+

AirLister allows you to sell privately while still listing on realestate.com.au, Domain, Homely, and OnTheHouse — without paying percentage-based commission.

Real Estate Agent Commission FAQs

Are commission rates negotiable?
Yes. Commission is completely negotiable in every Australian state.

What is a “normal” commission in 2026?
Most sellers realistically pay 2.5%–3.5% plus GST, once incentives and add-ons are included.

Is GST always added to commission?
Not always — some agents quote inclusive of GST. Always confirm in writing.

When is commission paid?
At settlement. It’s deducted from sale proceeds before funds are released to you.

Does selling privately mean a lower sale price?
No. In most markets, private sales achieve comparable prices — and even if slightly lower, avoiding 3% commission usually leaves sellers financially ahead.

Final Takeaway

Once GST, marketing, and extras are included, real estate agent fees in Australia commonly reach $30,000–$45,000, even on mid-priced homes.

Understanding the true cost puts you back in control.

For many homeowners, selling privately through AirLister is the simplest way to keep more of what their property is worth.

Commission saving calculator
See State guides on how to sell without agent

Last updated: January 2026