Real estate agent commission in Australia is not regulated — agents set their own rates, and those rates vary significantly by state, suburb, property price and the agent you use. Here is a complete breakdown of what agents actually charge, what you get for it, and whether there is a better option for your situation.
Real Estate Agent Commission Rates — By State
| State | Typical Commission Range | Average Commission |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | 1.6% to 2.5% | 2.0% |
| NSW | 1.8% to 3.5% | 2.1% |
| Queensland | 2.5% to 3.0% | 2.7% |
| Western Australia | 2.2% to 3.3% | 2.75% |
| South Australia | 1.9% to 2.5% | 2.1% |
| Tasmania | 2.5% to 3.5% | 3.0% |
| ACT | 2.0% to 2.5% | 2.2% |
What Does Agent Commission Actually Buy You?
A full real estate agent commission includes: property appraisal, marketing campaign (online listings, photography, signboard), open-for-inspection management, buyer enquiry management, negotiation and offer management, contract coordination and settlement support. The agent represents the vendor — not the buyer — in every negotiation.
What Does Agent Commission Cost on Real Melbourne Properties?
| Sale Price | 2.0% Commission | 2.5% Commission | Fixed Fee Advisory ($4,500) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $800,000 | $16,000 | $20,000 | $4,500 |
| $1,200,000 | $24,000 | $30,000 | $4,500 |
| $1,800,000 | $36,000 | $45,000 | $4,500 |
| $2,500,000 | $50,000 | $62,500 | $4,500 |
Note: Agent commission includes marketing and open homes. Property advisory is for sellers who have already found their buyer, want to sell privately, or want independent negotiation and pricing support alongside their agent campaign.
When Does a Fixed Fee Advisory Make Sense?
A fixed fee property advisor at $4,500 is the right choice when: you have already found a buyer privately, you want to sell without an agent campaign, you want an independent second opinion on your agent’s recommended price, or you want professional negotiation support without paying 2%+ of your sale price.
When Does Full Agent Commission Make Sense?
Full agent commission is justified when you need a full marketing campaign to find buyers, you are in a slow market with limited buyer pool, or you want complete representation from listing to settlement. An agent who gets you an extra $50,000 at a $2M sale is worth their $40,000 commission. An agent who underquotes and undersells is not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is real estate agent commission negotiable?
Yes. Commission rates are not regulated in Australia and are always negotiable. High-volume agents in strong markets often discount. Lower commission agents may provide a less comprehensive campaign.
What is tiered commission?
Some agents charge a lower base rate plus a higher rate on anything above a target price — for example, 1.5% on the first $1M and 5% on anything above. This aligns agent incentives with achieving a higher price, but the total cost can exceed a flat rate.
Do I have to use an agent to sell my property?
No. In Australia, private sales (for sale by owner) are legal. Collings Property Advisory can support your private sale with pricing strategy, marketing advice, buyer qualification and negotiation support for a fixed $4,500 fee.
Compare Your Options Before You Commit
Fixed fee: $4,500 + GST. If you are preparing to sell and want to understand whether a property advisory approach makes financial sense for your specific situation, start at collings.com.au/portal or call us for a no-obligation conversation.
Find your next property with Collings
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