LocalAgentFinder provides you with the tools to compare and select the right agent to best suit your needs.
Canberra is both the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Australia's capital city. Canberra may seem like an unusual choice for a capital city (given the size of Melbourne and Sydney), but it was chosen in 1908 as a compromise between the two. Some people feel the city could do with some upgrades, which the local government acknowledges. The big plan to transform the CBD by 2031 is rumoured to be modelled on Melbourne CBD's transformation in the 1990s and aims to create a vibrant city centre that mixes residential and corporate communities.
Canberra is home to a strong economy, supported by the nation's lowest unemployment rate at 3.75%. According to the latest Census, the capital's population has increased significantly by 1.8%, the second-highest growth following Victoria. So, what does this all mean for the real estate market? Well, the good news is, with the demand growing, we've seen commission and fees drop in Canberra's real estate industry.
Let's start with how agents charge commissions in Canberra. Like the rest of the ACT , real estate agent fees are deregulated. A deregulated fee and commission structure mean that agents set their fees based on a few driving factors:
Market demand in Canberra is higher compared to the ACT's regional towns. In metropolitan areas, because there's a high demand and greater competition between real estate agents, they typically charge a lower commission rate. Whereas in regional areas, there are fewer servicing real estate agents, decreased competition and lower selling prices, so a higher commission rate is usually the norm.
Real estate agent fees can vary dramatically depending on location and property type. If you're selling an unusual or expensive property, expect a higher commission to compensate for the extra time and effort involved in the selling process. It's always worthwhile comparing what local agents charge in your property market via LocalAgentFinder. Comparing agents will help you understand the varying factors contributing to a difference in commissions and fees.
You may find that newer agents in Canberra may have a lower commission rate compared to experienced agents, as they may still need to gain more real estate, sales experience and market knowledge. Before deciding on the right real estate agent for you, do your research via LocalAgentFinder to find a quality agent that ticks these boxes: has experience selling similar properties, has comprehensive knowledge of the local property market and offers a reasonable commission.
Commissions and real estate fees in Canberra are typically less than in the rest of the state, and that's good news for home sellers. However, it's also important to consider how we define what is charged under these terms, as agents will usually allocate different costs under the term “commission” and “fee”.
For example, the term commission usually refers to the percentage allocation of the total cost of the property sold. However, fees are sometimes charged a little bit differently. Marketing and advertising costs typically sit under the term "fee", so it's important to define how much you are willing to pay for both the agent's commission and fees as separate values.
Real estate agents in Canberra are aware of the competition in the market and so are usually willing to negotiate fees and commission rates with homeowners to win your business.
The average real estate agent commission rate in Canberra is 2.19%. Below is a chart showcasing how Canberra compares to the rest of Australia in terms of capital city averages.
| City | Ave. Fee |
|---|---|
| Canberra | 2.19% |
| Sydney | 1.87% |
| Darwin | 2.49% |
| Brisbane | 2.52% |
| Adelaide | 1.90% |
| Hobart | 2.67% |
| Melbourne | 1.93% |
| Perth | 2.28% |
We see that Canberra is fairly average regarding the cost of fees and commissions. Hobart is unsurprisingly top of the leaderboard in expense, followed closely by Darwin. The lack of competition in these cities empowers real estate agents to allocate costs they deem suitable rather than creating costs to compete in a competitive marketplace.
Over the past 12 months, Canberra house prices have grown 2.4%, and it's become a focus for both investors and owner-occupiers in the ACT. The median property price for houses and units is growing steadily, and we do not see the same trend in other Australian states.
Fortunately, Canberra's average commission rate and fees are fairly competitive. So if you're selling property in Canberra, you are in a strong position to negotiate. It's a good idea to remember that whilst these averages offer a guide, they aren't set in stone. Instead, they should be used to give you an idea of a fair amount for you to pay for your property.
In terms of your property value, the below will indicate what people in Canberra are paying in commission across various price brackets.
| Property Value | Ave. Commission Rate |
|---|---|
| $300K | 2.03% |
| $500K | 2.19% |
| $750K | 2.05% |
| $1M | 2.03% |
| $1M+ | 1.91% |
The aforementioned average commission rates act as a great guide to help you understand what other people in a similar location are paying in terms of commissions and fees. However, it's a good idea to have a solid knowledge of how fees are calculated before agreeing on a final commission with your real estate agent. The below commission structure definitions give you a good understanding of the options an agent will use when calculating commission.
Agreeing to pay a fixed rate or fixed fee with your real estate agent means you pay a set, predetermined amount after the sale of your property. Because it's a fixed fee, you will always pay the same amount, no matter the final selling price. The benefit of a fixed rate commission is that you're certain of the fee you will pay from an early stage. However, the potential disadvantage is that it can sometimes cause fear that the agent will sell the house quickly, even if that results in a lower price.
The tiered commission structure operates on a sliding scale, which typically encourages agents to secure a higher sale price. For example, you may agree to a 2% commission rate if the sale price is $480,000 or less and an additional amount for a higher selling price. So, if the sale price is $500,000 you'll pay 2% on the first $480,000 (being $9,600) and, for example, 10% on the additional $20,000 (being $2000). The total commission payable would be $11,600.
The potential disadvantage is that you end up paying more commission than you had initially expected. However, it's a Catch-22, as a higher agent commission also means your property sold for the highest price possible.
While this information is useful, we encourage you to consider it as a guide only and to remember that agent commission rates and fees depend on several other contributing factors. This includes your property's size and location and the current market.
We understand that commission rates will always contribute to your overall decision when choosing a real estate agent . But to make an informed decision, it's important to consider other factors like reputation, local knowledge and the agent's background.
We understand that negotiating fees and commissions can be challenging for some home sellers. Generally, you'll find more competitive rates and more flexibility with city-based real estate agents compared to their rural counterparts, where there's less competition and fewer agents.
Knowing the real estate agent's service fee, commission rate and local performance before you meet them can make all the difference and put you in a great position to negotiate. LocalAgentFinder's leading online comparison service, selling guide and agent questionnaires gives you access to this information and more.
Once you've done your research via LocalAgentFinder and have a shortlist of two to three local agents, here are some helpful negotiation tips:
With the current property climate and the average commission price looking reasonable in Canberra, it's not a bad time to sell. Here at LocalAgentFinder, we've done our homework, looked at the data, analysed the facts, and learnt some things along the way.
You don't need to waste time doing the hard yards when we've done it for you. Use LocalAgentFinder to define your most important requirements, and we'll recommend the most suitable agents.
Your home is one of the most valuable assets you'll sell, so hiring the right agent is essential. LocalAgentFinder provides comprehensive background information on agents Australia-wide, so you can be assured you're making an informed decision.
We know that hidden fees are always a concern when selling your house, and the good news is that LocalAgentFinder is completely free for homeowners. The agent you choose will only pay LocalAgentFinder a referral fee after successfully selling your property.
The suburbs with the highest real estate commission rates in Canberra as of May 2021 are Ainslie, Braddon, Campbell, Reid and Turner, with an average commission rate of 2.37%. They're followed by Dickson, Downer, Hackett, Kingston, Lyneham, O'Connor and Watson at 2.34%. This is based on a property sale of $500k.
The suburbs with the lowest real estate commissions in Canberra are Barton, Beard, Capital Hill, Deakin, Hume, Jerrabomberra, Kowen, Oaks Estate, Parkes, Russel and Yarralumla, with an average commission rate of 2.06%. They're followed by Forrest, Griffith and Red Hill at 2.11%. This is based on a property sale of $500k.
No. In areas closer to Canberra's CBD, commission rates are generally lower because there's high competition, so agents typically offer competitive rates.
Now, while some Canberra real estate agents include advertising and marketing fees within their commission, most agents charge it as an additional cost. So you know what to expect, request a breakdown of these costs beforehand. However, remember that advertising and marketing costs vary widely, depending on the campaign and your property's location. For example, if your property value is $500,000, budget $2000 to $5000 for marketing and advertising.
TExperienced real estate agents will create a print and digital marketing campaign that expertly targets your key buyer demographic. The more potential buyers that see your property online and know it's for sale, the better. The advertising and marketing costs should include:
Most real estate agents will charge an auctioneer's fees on top of the commission. This is the service fee for registered auctioneers on auction day and can cost between $200 and $1000.
A professional home stager will typically come into your home and remove clutter, appealingly arrange furniture or furnish the entire property themselves before open house inspections and professional photo shoots . Home staging services allow you to present your home in the best possible way to prospective buyers.
A good agent can either give you home staging advice themselves, generally as part of their commission, or may connect you with local professional home staging services. Home staging costs across Australia range from $2000 to $8000 depending on the level of service, the property size and the campaign's duration.
Here are some other selling costs and fees to consider when selling your property:
To determine average commission rates, LocalAgentFinder took the average commission of all active agents respectively on 26 May 2021. This included agents with tiered and fixed commission structures based on a $500,000 selling price. This page was updated on 20 June 2021.