How much does a real estate agent charge? Commission rates by state (2026)

Agent commission is the single biggest cost most people face when selling a home — and unlike a fixed government charge, there’s no set rate. What you’ll pay depends heavily on where your property is. A seller in Hobart and a seller in inner Melbourne can pay very different percentages on the same sale price.

This guide breaks down real estate agent commission by state across Australia in 2026, shows what that means in real dollars, and explains the rules every seller should know before signing an agency agreement.

A quick distinction first, because it trips a lot of people up: agent commission is the percentage an agent takes for selling your property. It’s separate from agent fees — the marketing and advertising costs usually charged on top. We cover commission here; just keep in mind it’s rarely the only number on the invoice. (For the full picture, see our guide to the hidden fees for selling a house.)

What’s the average real estate commission in Australia?

Nationally, most agents charge somewhere between 2% and 3% of the final sale price, with the median sitting around 2.65% across the country in 2026. As a rough feel for the dollars: on a $700,000 sale, a 2.5% commission is $17,500; on a $900,000 sale it’s $22,500.

But the national average hides a lot. The biggest single factor pushing your rate up or down isn’t the agency’s brand — it’s your postcode. In competitive city markets where dozens of agents chase the same listings, rates get driven down. In a regional town with only two or three agencies, there’s far less pressure to compete on price, and rates climb.

That’s why real estate agent commission is best understood state by state.

Real estate agent commission by state in 2026

The figures below are averages drawn from analysis of more than 200 postcodes across the country. Actual rates vary by suburb, property value, agent and how well you negotiate — so treat these as a starting point for the conversation, not a fixed price.

New South Wales — around 2.35% (state median)

Sydney is one of the most competitive markets in the country, which keeps metro rates low — typically 1.8%–2.5%, averaging close to 2.1%. Regional NSW runs higher, commonly 2.5%–3.5%, because sale prices are lower and there are fewer agents competing. On a $1,000,000 Sydney sale at 2.1%, that’s $21,000 in commission alone. If you’re selling property privately in NSW, that gap is worth weighing carefully.

Victoria — around 2.35% (state median)

Like NSW, Victoria is split sharply by geography. Melbourne metro typically sits at 1.6%–2.5% — some of the lowest rates in Australia, thanks to intense competition — while regional Victoria commonly runs 2.5%–3.5%. The metro average lands around 2.1%.

Queensland — around 2.8% (state median)

Queensland sits above the national median, with a state median near 2.8%. Brisbane is more competitive than the regional centres, but rates across the state tend to run higher than in NSW or Victoria, and some regional QLD towns reach 3.5% or more. This is exactly why so many owners look at selling their own property in Queensland — the dollar difference on a typical home is substantial.

Western Australia — around 2.75% (state median)

WA’s median sits around 2.75%. Perth metro is more competitive, but regional WA contains some of the highest rates in the country — towns like Carnarvon have been recorded near 3.8%. The spread between metro and remote WA is one of the widest of any state.

South Australia — around 2.9% (state median)

SA runs higher than the eastern-seaboard capitals, with a median near 2.9%. Adelaide is the most competitive part of the state; regional SA centres such as Whyalla and Yorketown have been recorded at 3.5% or above.

Tasmania — around 3.25% (state median, highest in Australia)

Tasmania has the highest median commission in the country at roughly 3.25%. Lower average property values and a smaller pool of agents mean rates sit well above the mainland capitals. On a $600,000 Hobart sale at 3.25%, that’s $19,500 in commission.

Northern Territory — around 3.0% (state median)

The NT median sits near 3.0%, with remote towns like Tennant Creek among the highest-charging postcodes nationally (close to 3.85%). Thin competition across much of the territory keeps rates elevated.

Australian Capital Territory — around 2.0%–2.5% in Canberra, higher in the surrounds

The ACT is harder to pin to a single figure. Canberra itself is compact and competitive, with metro rates commonly in the 2.0%–2.5% range and some internal data putting the city average lower still. Outside Canberra, rates rise — suburb-by-suburb figures across the territory can run from 2.3% up towards 4%. As always, confirm the rate for your specific suburb rather than relying on the territory average.

A note on GST and how commission is paid

Two things sellers often miss. First, GST: many agents quote their rate “plus GST”, which adds 10% on top of the figure you were told. Always confirm in writing whether the quoted rate includes GST. Second, timing: commission is almost always deducted from your sale proceeds at settlement, not paid upfront — so it comes straight out of your final cheque.

It’s also worth knowing that commission is not regulated anywhere in Australia and is fully negotiable in every state. Agents set their own rates, which means you’re entitled to ask for the commission shown in actual dollars at a few possible sale prices, and to negotiate before you sign.

Commission isn’t the only cost — advertising is usually extra

Here’s the catch a lot of sellers don’t see coming: the commission percentage is rarely the whole bill. In most agency agreements, marketing and advertising are charged separately and on top of commission — professional photography, portal listing fees (realestate.com.au and Domain), signboards, floor plans, copywriting and sometimes auction fees. Depending on the campaign, that can add several thousand dollars, and it’s often payable whether or not your property sells.

So when you’re comparing the real cost of selling, add the likely marketing spend to the commission figure to get your true number. A “2.5% commission” can quietly become considerably more once the advertising package is included. This is also where a fixed-fee sale looks very different: with a flat fee, you’re not layering a percentage commission on top of marketing costs — you know the core figure upfront. For the full rundown of what else can land on the invoice, see our guide to the hidden fees for selling a house.

How to negotiate your agent’s commission

Because rates aren’t fixed, a short conversation can save you thousands. A few practical moves:

• Get three quotes. Comparing agents is the single most effective way to understand what’s normal for your suburb — and agents expect it. Consumer regulators agree: NSW Fair Trading recommends talking to at least three agents and getting a full list of their fees before you commit.
• Ask for the figure in dollars, not just a percentage. “Show me the commission at a $750k, $800k and $850k sale price” makes the real cost concrete.
• Confirm GST and what’s included. Check whether marketing, photography and signage sit inside the rate or on top.
• Clarify the agreement type. Understand whether you’re signing an exclusive agency agreement and what happens if the property doesn’t sell, or if you later sell privately.

The flat-fee alternative

Once you’ve run your figures, the size of a percentage-based commission becomes hard to ignore — on most homes it’s tens of thousands of dollars. That’s the reason agent-assisted private sale has grown so quickly.

With PropertyNow, you sell your own property online for a fixed fee of $929, with the support of licensed real estate agents seven days a week — rather than handing over a percentage of your sale price. On a typical home, that’s the difference between paying a few hundred dollars and paying $20,000-plus in commission. Whether it’s the right choice depends on your property and how hands-on you want to be, which is why it’s worth understanding all your options before committing to any agent or platform. Our guide to comparing private selling companies is a good place to weigh them up.

The bottom line

Agent commission in 2026 ranges from the low-2% mark in Canberra and the big-city markets of Sydney and Melbourne, up to 3.25% in Tasmania — with regional areas in every state sitting at the higher end. Because rates are unregulated and negotiable, the worst thing a seller can do is accept the first percentage quoted without understanding what’s normal for their state and what the alternatives are. Know your state’s average, ask for the figure in dollars, and compare it against a fixed-fee sale before you sign anything.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average real estate commission in Australia in 2026?

Most agents charge between 2% and 3% of the final sale price, with a national median around 2.65%. Rates are generally lower in competitive city markets and higher in regional areas.

Is real estate agent commission negotiable?

Yes. Commission is not regulated anywhere in Australia and is fully negotiable in every state and territory. Getting three quotes and comparing them is standard practice and the most reliable way to understand what’s fair for your suburb.

Does GST apply to real estate commission?

Often, yes. Many agents quote their rate “plus GST”, which adds 10% on top of the figure quoted. Always confirm in writing whether the rate you’ve been given includes or excludes GST.

Which state has the highest real estate commission?

Tasmania has the highest median commission in Australia in 2026, at roughly 3.25%, followed by the Northern Territory and South Australia. Lower average property values and fewer competing agents push regional rates up across every state.

When do you pay the agent’s commission?

Commission is almost always deducted from your sale proceeds at settlement rather than paid upfront, so it comes directly out of your final sale amount.

Do you pay advertising costs on top of agent commission?

Usually, yes. In most agency agreements, marketing and advertising — photography, portal listing fees, signboards, floor plans and sometimes auction fees — are charged separately and on top of the commission percentage, and are often payable whether or not the property sells. Always add the marketing spend to the commission to work out the true cost of selling.

How can I avoid paying a percentage-based commission?

Agent-assisted private sale platforms let you sell your own property for a fixed fee instead of a percentage. PropertyNow, for example, charges a flat $929 with licensed agent support, which on most homes is a fraction of a typical percentage commission.

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Related stories

• The hidden fees for selling a house
• Comparing private selling companies
• How to sell your home online — step by step

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Post author: Coreyna Blachut, CTO, PropertyNow. Coreyna is Chief Technology Officer at PropertyNow, Australia’s agent-assisted private sale platform.

Disclaimer: Commission figures in this article are averages drawn from publicly available 2026 market data and are provided as a general guide only. Rates are unregulated and vary by suburb, property, agent and negotiation. Figures are not a quote or a guarantee. We encourage sellers to compare multiple agents, confirm whether GST applies, and explore all options before signing any agency agreement.