How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Australia?
The short answer: it's not cheap. Depending on where you live, you could be looking at tens of thousands of dollars in selling costs—before you see a single cent of profit.
The costs involved in selling a property include real estate agent fees and commissions, marketing costs, conveyancing fees, lender fees, and more. Understanding every line item before you list is the key to avoiding nasty surprises at settlement.
Know What You'll Pay Before You List
Comparing real estate agents is the single best way to understand your selling costs upfront—and ensure you're not overpaying on commission or marketing fees.
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What Are the Costs of Selling a House?
There are two broad categories of selling costs to understand:
- Predictable costs – Agent commission, conveyancing, marketing, auction fees, mortgage discharge
- Variable/voluntary costs – Home staging, maintenance, repairs, moving costs
Let's break them all down.
1. Real Estate Agent Fees
The biggest cost of selling a house is almost always your real estate agent. Agent fees come in two forms: commission and marketing costs.
Real Estate Agent Commission
Commission is the fee you pay your agent when they successfully sell your home. There's no fixed national rate—it varies by state, city, and suburb—but you can expect to pay between 1% and 4% of your home's final sale price.
Here's a breakdown of average real estate agent commission rates across Australia:
What Affects Real Estate Agent Fees?
Three key factors influence how much do real estate agents charge:
- Property type – Unique or high-end properties that appeal to a narrow buyer pool often attract higher commission, as they take more time and effort to market.
- Location – In capital cities, greater competition between agents drives commission rates down. In regional and rural areas, fewer agents mean less competitive pricing.
- Experience – Newer agents typically charge lower rates. However, don't choose solely on price—use LocalAgentFinder to compare their sales history, reviews, and marketing strategy before deciding.
Important: The agent with the lowest real estate fees isn't always the best option. An inexperienced agent who undersells your property will cost you far more than a slightly higher commission rate. Worse still, if you need to switch agents mid-campaign, you may end up paying double the fees.
Real Estate Agent Commission Structures
How much commission you pay also depends on the structure you agree to:
Tiered commission example:
Agent earns 2% on the first $480,000 = $9,600. If the property sells for $500,000, they earn 10% on the additional $20,000 = $2,000. Total commission: $11,600.
Can You Negotiate Commission?
Yes—and you should. Tips for negotiating real estate agent fees:
- Let agents know they're competing with others on your shortlist
- Ask if they'll use your preferred commission structure
- Request all fees in writing, including any charges beyond commission
- If your property value is above average, use that as leverage for a lower rate
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2. Marketing Costs
You can't sell a secret. The more buyers who know about your property, the better your chances of achieving a higher sale price. Marketing costs typically range from 0.5% to 1% of your property's value.
An experienced agent will build a targeted campaign around your key buyer demographic. A comprehensive marketing package should include:
- Online listings on realestate.com.au and domain.com.au, with professional photography, floor plans, and compelling copywriting
- Offline listings in local newspapers and magazines
- "For Sale" signboard at the property
- Professional photography and videography
- Flyers and brochures for open home inspections
- Social media campaign (Facebook, Instagram ads targeted to your buyer demographic)
Marketing tip: Ask your agent exactly which channels they plan to use and why. A good agent will tailor the marketing strategy to your property type and local buyer demographic—not just follow a template.
3. Auction Fees
If you sell via auction, you'll pay an auctioneer's fee on top of your commission—typically around $600 in Australia. An experienced auctioneer is worth the investment: they can create a competitive bidding atmosphere that drives the final sale price well above reserve.
Some agencies have in-house auctioneers; others outsource. Ask your agent who they use and how much experience that auctioneer has before committing to this method of sale.
4. Conveyancing and Legal Fees
Conveyancing fees typically range from $700 to $1,300 and are non-negotiable—every property sale in Australia requires a licensed conveyancer or solicitor to handle the legal transfer of ownership.
What conveyancing fees cover:
- Sourcing the certificate of title
- Preparing and reviewing the sale contract
- Liaising with local councils
- Settlement representation on settlement day
- Arranging building inspections and land surveys (if required)
- Chasing outstanding rates or bills
Note: In the ACT and Queensland, only a solicitor can handle conveyancing. In other states and territories, you can use either a conveyancer or solicitor.
5. Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
Capital gains tax only applies if you're selling an investment property—not your primary residence.
CGT is the tax payable to the Australian Tax Office (ATO) on the profit you make from selling the property. It's calculated as:
Sale profit (sale price minus purchase price) minus eligible deductions including:
- Sale fees (stamp duty on purchase, legal fees, marketing, commission)
- Ownership costs (rates, land tax, maintenance, home loan interest)
- Renovation costs (improvements made during ownership)
Tip: Properties held for more than 12 months may be eligible for a 50% CGT discount. Consult your accountant or visit the ATO's CGT calculator for personalised advice.
6. Mortgage Discharge Fees
If you have a home loan, your lender will charge a mortgage discharge fee (also called an exit fee) of between $150 and $1,000 to release the mortgage on settlement. This covers the administrative cost of closing your loan account.
The process typically takes 2–3 weeks after you submit the discharge form to your lender—factor this into your settlement timeline.
7. Moving Costs
Don't overlook the cost of physically moving your belongings. This varies enormously depending on:
- Distance (same suburb vs. interstate)
- Volume of furniture and belongings
- Whether you need short-term storage
A local move for a small property might cost a few hundred dollars, while an interstate move for a large family home can run into several thousand.
8. Voluntary Costs (That Make a Real Difference)
These costs aren't compulsory, but they can meaningfully increase your property's appeal—and your final sale price.
Home Maintenance and Repairs
Home Staging
Home staging is the process of professionally styling your property for inspections, photography, and auction day. It's about presenting your home in the best possible light to attract more buyers and achieve a higher sale price.
Home staging fees: $2,000–$8,000, depending on:
- Level of service (styling advice through to full furniture hire)
- Property size
- Campaign duration (typically up to 6 weeks)
A higher-end staging package may include consultation, moving costs, furniture hire, and full interior decorating across a 6-week campaign.
A good agent will either provide basic staging advice as part of their service, or recommend a professional stager in your area.
What Does It Actually Cost to Sell a House? A Real Example
Here's a realistic cost breakdown for selling a $1,000,000 property in Sydney:
This is a conservative estimate with no home staging, maintenance, or repairs. Real-world costs for a well-prepared campaign can be $30,000–$40,000+.
State-by-State Estimate on a $750,000 Property
Estimates include commission, marketing, conveyancing ($1,000), and auction fees ($600).
How to Budget for Selling Your Home
Follow these steps to set yourself up financially before listing:
- Set your ideal selling date – This determines your preparation timeline and budget period.
- Get a property value estimate – LocalAgentFinder compares your property's features and condition with recent comparable sales to give you an estimated value.
- Book a free property appraisal – A local agent can give you a more accurate estimated market value and advise on improvements that will increase your return.
- Scope any pre-sale work – If the agent recommends repairs or updates, get quotes to understand the full investment.
- Compare local agents – Shop around. Assess their commission structure, marketing strategy, local knowledge, and sales history.
- Build your budget – Add up all the costs above and divide by your weeks or months until listing to understand what you need to set aside.
FAQs: Selling Costs in Australia
Q1. Do you pay stamp duty when selling a house?
No. Stamp duty is only paid by the buyer, not the seller. It is not a cost of selling a property.
Q2. Is agent commission negotiable?
Yes. Commission rates are not regulated and are fully negotiable. Use our comparison service to shortlist agents and leverage competition to negotiate a better rate.
Q3. What's the cheapest state to sell a house in Australia?
South Australia has the lowest average commission rate (1.94%), making it the most affordable state for agent fees. NSW and Victoria are also on the lower end.
Q4. Can I sell without a real estate agent?
Technically yes, but it's rarely advisable. An experienced agent with local knowledge and an established buyer database will almost always achieve a higher sale price than a private sale—more than covering their commission.
Q5. How much do real estate agents charge in NSW?
The average real estate agent commission in NSW is 2.01%, or around 1.87% in Sydney.
Find and Compare Real Estate Agents
When you're ready to sell, the most important decision you'll make is choosing the right agent. The right agent won't just cover their commission—they'll deliver a sale price that exceeds your expectations.
LocalAgentFinder makes it easy to:
- Compare real estate agent fees and commission rates side by side
- Review sales history and performance data for agents in your area
- Read verified homeowner reviews from real sellers
- Assess marketing strategies so you know exactly what you're getting
- Access our free agent fee calculator to estimate your selling costs
Why use LocalAgentFinder?
- Free to use – No cost, no obligation
- Anonymous comparison – Browse without being inundated with calls
- Transparent data – Commission rates, marketing fees, and reviews in one place
- Trusted since 2007 – Connecting Australian homeowners with top-performing agents
Ready to See What Selling Will Cost You?
Compare real estate agents in your area, check their commission rates, and find the right agent to sell your home.
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Key Takeaways
- Total selling costs typically range from $20,000–$40,000+ depending on property value, location, and choices made
- Agent commission is the biggest cost – ranging from 1.94% (SA) to 2.71% (TAS) on average
- Marketing costs add another 0.5%–1% of property value
- Conveyancing is mandatory – budget $700–$1,300
- Stamp duty is not a seller's cost – it's paid by the buyer
- Comparing agents is the best way to control costs and maximise your net proceeds