Price Advertising Rules
In order to avoid the practice of underquoting or “bait pricing” (when agents advertise a price that is misleading) many state governments have now introduced specific rules about exactly how you can display your price. In states with very strict rules or where no text is allowed at all, we have removed the custom price option for your convenience and peace of mind.
We hope the summary below helps you understand your obligations when advertising your price. If you’d like further information, just get in touch with us.
Rules for all states
You must not advertise a price that is lower than the minimum price you would accept.
No price advertised may be false or misleading.
Additional rules for QLD
You may use the “Offers Over” text in your price but the price you list must represent the minimum price you would accept.
Additional rules for NSW
If using a price range e.g $500,000 – $550,000 the two figures must be within 10% of each other, and the lower figure must represent a price you would actually accept.
“Offers Above”, “Offers Over” and the “+” symbol are no longer allowed at all.
Additional rules for VIC
You must only use the phrases “Nearest Offer”, “Near Offer” or “Best Offer” if you can prove you would actually sell for a lower offer than the price you are advertising.
You must not use the “+” or “>” symbols, or the phrases “From”, “Greater Than”, “Expect Over”, or “Offers invited from”.
From 16 October 2026, Victorian auctions and fixed-date sales run through an agency, including PropertyNow listings, also need the reserve price published as a single dollar figure at least 7 days before the sale date. Our guide to Victoria’s new underquoting laws explains what that means when you sell privately.
Additional rules for SA
You cannot use any words or symbols to advertise your single price (e.g. $400,000+ or mid $400’s is not allowed).
You can use words to describe a price range.
From our support desk
What about “Contact agent” style listings?
Owners wanting words instead of a figure in the price field ask us whether buyers filtering by price will still find them. On realestate.com.au they will. Every listing has a display price, which is what buyers see, and a search price, a number buyers never see that the site uses to match your listing to their price searches. So where your state allows text in the price field, your ad can show words and still appear in the right price brackets.
The search price still has to be genuine. realestate.com.au’s own rules don’t allow a misleading search price, so set it at a figure you’d actually accept. Victoria’s rules are stricter, so if you’re selling there, follow the Victorian section above first.
Drawn from the questions owners bring to PropertyNow’s support team, 7 days a week.
Not sure what to put in the price field?
Our licensed agents deal with these rules every day and are on the phone seven days a week if you want to check yours before the listing goes live.
This summary is general information only and is not legal advice. Price advertising rules are set by each state and territory and they change. Check the current requirements with the fair trading or consumer affairs body in your state, or ask our team, before you advertise a price.