2026 state-by-state guide
How fees compare across every Australian state and territory, with market notes, licensing rules, and the factors that drive regional differences.
Compare Agents Near YouBuyers agent fees in Australia are not regulated or standardised. They vary by state, city, property value, service scope, and agent experience. Understanding where your market sits helps you evaluate whether a quote is fair before you sign.
NSW sits at the top of the national range and Tasmania at the bottom, but the spread between them is driven by property values and market complexity, not arbitrary pricing.
$0
National average fee
full-service fixed engagement
$0+
Highest state (NSW)
Sydney premium searches
$0
Lowest market entry
Tasmania & regional
0
States & territories
all with distinct licensing rules
Darker teal indicates higher average fee ranges. Each state is shaded by its typical fixed fee midpoint, with full-service ranges listed alongside.
Fixed fee range, high to low
Midpoint of full-service fixed fee ranges, sorted highest to lowest. Note that within each state, the range widens for prestige or complex searches.
Full-service engagement ranges, market context, licensing authority, and the public register where you can verify any agent's credentials.
$10,000 – $25,000+
or 1.5% – 2.5% of purchase price
Australia's most expensive property market. Eastern Suburbs and North Shore prestige searches routinely exceed $25K. Limited stock, high competition, and complex strata buildings push fees to the top of the national range.
$10,000 – $18,000
or 1.5% – 2.5% of purchase price
A high-income government-driven market with consistent demand and low vacancy. The small agent pool means limited price competition, so most active buyers agents charge at the upper end of the ACT range.
$8,000 – $22,000+
or 1.2% – 2.5% of purchase price
Melbourne's auction-dominated market and strong inner-east and bayside demand create wide fee variation. The large and competitive agent pool gives buyers more choice than any other state.
$7,000 – $18,000
or 1.5% – 2.5% of purchase price
Rapid post-2020 population growth and pre-Olympic demand have pushed fees upward from their historical floor. Gold Coast searches sit at $8K–$16K fixed. Tiered fee structures are common.
$8,000 – $16,000
or 1.5% – 2.5% of purchase price
A buoyant market with strong interstate migration from the east coast. Fees are moderate relative to eastern capitals, though premium coastal suburbs (Cottesloe, Mosman Park) trend higher.
$7,000 – $14,000
or 1.5% – 2.0% of purchase price
Lower median prices keep Adelaide fees toward the national floor. Excellent value for full-service engagements, particularly in established suburbs such as Burnside and Prospect.
$7,000 – $14,000
or 1.5% – 2.5% of purchase price
Australia's smallest capital market with very few dedicated buyers agents. Defence and government relocations drive most demand. The limited agent supply can mean longer engagement timelines.
$6,000 – $12,000
or 1.5% – 2.0% of purchase price
Tasmania's compact market has fewer active buyers agents than any mainland state. Fees reflect the lower median price point but the limited pool can mean extended search timelines.
The national range spans $6K to $25K+. Here is what drives the difference between the highest-fee state and the lowest.
| NSW (Sydney) | TAS (Hobart) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical fixed fee | $10,000 – $25,000+ | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| Median house price | $1.4M+ (houses, Sydney metro) | ~$650K (Hobart median) |
| Agent pool size | Hundreds of active buyers agents | Fewer than 10 dedicated buyers agents |
| Off-market access | Extensive, with major off-market networks | Limited, with a smaller off-market network |
| Auction market | High, with many suburbs auction-heavy | Low. Most properties sold via private treaty |
| Business overheads | High: Sydney office, staff, insurance costs | Low (regional business costs) |
| Due diligence complexity | High: complex strata, flood zones, heritage overlays | Lower: simpler property types, fewer strata buildings |
Typical fixed fee
NSW (Sydney)
$10,000 – $25,000+
TAS (Hobart)
$6,000 – $12,000
Median house price
NSW (Sydney)
$1.4M+ (houses, Sydney metro)
TAS (Hobart)
~$650K (Hobart median)
Agent pool size
NSW (Sydney)
Hundreds of active buyers agents
TAS (Hobart)
Fewer than 10 dedicated buyers agents
Off-market access
NSW (Sydney)
Extensive, with major off-market networks
TAS (Hobart)
Limited, with a smaller off-market network
Auction market
NSW (Sydney)
High, with many suburbs auction-heavy
TAS (Hobart)
Low. Most properties sold via private treaty
Business overheads
NSW (Sydney)
High: Sydney office, staff, insurance costs
TAS (Hobart)
Low (regional business costs)
Due diligence complexity
NSW (Sydney)
High: complex strata, flood zones, heritage overlays
TAS (Hobart)
Lower: simpler property types, fewer strata buildings
Not all states require the same credentials. Use this table to understand the regulatory environment before engaging an agent.
| NSW / VIC / QLD / ACT | SA / NT / TAS / WA | |
|---|---|---|
| Full real estate licence required | Full licence to act independently | Equivalent full agent licence |
| Certificate of Registration sufficient | Principal licence only, not CoR | Permitted under a licensed principal |
| Mandatory PI insurance | Industry-standard $2M minimum coverage | Recommended but not mandated |
| Dual agency prohibited | NSW & QLD explicitly prohibit | Not expressly prohibited |
| Public register (licence verification) | Fair Trading / CAV / OFT / Access CBR | CBS, NT Consumer Affairs, CBOS, DMIRS |
Full real estate licence required
NSW / VIC / QLD / ACT
Full licence to act independently
SA / NT / TAS / WA
Equivalent full agent licence
Certificate of Registration sufficient
NSW / VIC / QLD / ACT
Principal licence only, not CoR
SA / NT / TAS / WA
Permitted under a licensed principal
Mandatory PI insurance
NSW / VIC / QLD / ACT
Industry-standard $2M minimum coverage
SA / NT / TAS / WA
Recommended but not mandated
Dual agency prohibited
NSW / VIC / QLD / ACT
NSW & QLD explicitly prohibit
SA / NT / TAS / WA
Not expressly prohibited
Public register (licence verification)
NSW / VIC / QLD / ACT
Fair Trading / CAV / OFT / Access CBR
SA / NT / TAS / WA
CBS, NT Consumer Affairs, CBOS, DMIRS
Every state has a public licence register. Search your agent's name before signing any agreement. A certificate of registration alone is insufficient: look for a full real estate licence.
If you are buying interstate, confirm your agent holds a licence in the state of purchase, not just their home state. This is a legal requirement, not a formality.
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