Buyers Agent Fees Australia

Most buyers agents charge either a fixed fee or a percentage of the purchase price. Percentage fees are usually 1% to 3%, often around 2% plus GST, which is $22,000 on a $1M purchase. In our own review of 66 agency websites on 18 October 2026, the fixed fees that were published ran from about $12,000 to $35,000 including GST. Many also charge an engagement fee of $500 to $5,000 to start.

Both are common. A percentage fee rises with the price you pay, so the agent earns more if you pay more. A fixed fee stays the same whatever the price, so you know the cost before you start. Some agents use a fixed fee up to a price and a percentage above it, or a sliding scale.

You do, the buyer. The selling agent is paid by the seller. A buyers agent should be paid by you alone and should not take commissions or referral fees from selling agents or developers. Ask them to confirm that in writing.

This is general information, not tax advice. For an investment property, the ATO says you can’t claim buyers agent fees as a rental deduction, because they are a cost of buying the property, like conveyancing and stamp duty. They may form part of the property’s cost base for capital gains tax, which can reduce the gain when you sell. For a home you live in, there is no deduction. See the ATO’s rental expenses guide and ask your accountant.

Most agencies want an engagement fee up front and the balance when you buy or at settlement. Very few let you spread the fee. Wealth Through Property lets you pay at settlement or monthly over 3, 12, 24 or 36 months, with no interest while we search and the first 3 months interest-free.

Sometimes. Agencies with a published fixed fee rarely move on it, but you can often ask for a smaller service, such as negotiation or auction bidding on its own, for a lower fee. Compare what is included rather than the headline number alone.

A negotiation or auction-bidding service on its own costs less than a full search, often a few thousand dollars, but you do the searching and checking yourself. For a full service, a fixed fee is usually cheaper than a percentage on higher prices. The cheapest fee is not automatically the best value: one overpayment or one bad purchase costs far more than the difference.

Often not. Many agencies quote “plus GST”, which adds 10%. A fee of $15,000 plus GST is $16,500. Compare fees including GST. All Wealth Through Property fees include GST.

It is a payment to start the search, usually $500 to $5,000. Check whether it comes off the final fee or is extra, and whether you get it back if you change your mind. Ours comes off the fee and is refunded in full if you cancel within 7 days.

It is worth it when it saves or earns you more than the fee: a better price, avoiding a property with hidden problems, stronger rent, or simply your time. If you know an area well and have time to research, inspect and negotiate, you may not need one.

In our own review of 66 agency websites on 18 October 2026, Sydney agencies that publish a fixed fee charge about $12,000 to $35,000 including GST for a full search, and percentage fees run at about 1% to 2% plus GST. On a $1.5M purchase, 2% plus GST is $33,000. Our fee on $1.5M is $14,000 including GST.

In our review, Melbourne agencies that publish a fixed fee for investors charge about $13,000 to $17,500 including GST, and published percentage fees run from about 1% to 2.75% plus GST. On a $900,000 purchase, 2% plus GST is $19,800. Our fee on $900,000 is $12,000 including GST.

In our review, the published Queensland fees were about $19,500 including GST for a full search, or about 1.5% plus GST with a $1,500 start fee. On an $800,000 purchase, 1.5% plus GST is $13,200. Our fee on $800,000 is $12,000 including GST.

Yes. Buyers advocate is another name for a buyers agent, used most in Victoria, and the fees work the same way: a percentage, a fixed fee or a sliding scale, often with an engagement fee to start. Compare the total in dollars, with GST.

In our review, about 2% plus GST is the most common percentage fee, and published percentage fees run from about 1% to 3%. 2% plus GST is $22,000 on a $1M purchase and $44,000 on $2M. A fixed fee or sliding scale usually costs less as the price rises.

It is the main part of the fee, paid when you secure a property, usually at exchange or settlement. Many agencies charge an engagement fee when you sign and a success fee when you buy. With us, a retainer from $1,000 comes off the fee and the rest is paid at settlement or monthly.

Usually in two parts: an engagement fee when you sign, then the balance at exchange or settlement. With us, you pay a retainer when you sign, then the rest at settlement, or monthly over 3 months interest-free, or over 12, 24 or 36 months.

There is no interest while we search, however long it takes, and the 3-month plan has no interest. On the 12, 24 and 36-month plans, interest of 0.5% a month starts after you buy and is charged on what is still owing. Pay it off at any time and the interest stops.

Building and pest inspections, strata reports, conveyancing, stamp duty, loan costs and insurance are paid separately, to the people who do them. Ask any agent what else could be added, such as travel, so you know the full cost before you sign.