Guide
Buyers agent fees in Australia (2026): costs by city
How buyers agents charge, typical fees in 14 cities, what a percentage fee costs at each city’s median price, and what the fee should cover.
By Mossy Taheri, licensed buyer’s agent · Updated
The short answer
Most buyers agents in Australia charge 1.5% to 3% of the purchase price or a fixed fee, typically about $6,000 to $18,000 below about $1 million and $18,000 to $40,000 for premium purchases (Aussie, What's The Damage). The fee is usually paid in two parts: an engagement fee when you sign and a success fee when you buy. Typical ranges run from about $5,000 to $34,000 in Adelaide up to $7,000 to $48,000 in Sydney.
How buyer’s agents charge: fee models compared
A buyer’s agent is a licensed real estate agent who acts only for the buyer. Because the selling agent works for the seller, you pay your buyer’s agent directly. Agencies use one of these models, or a mix:
Fixed fee
About $6,000 to $18,000 below about $1 million, and $18,000 to $40,000 for premium purchases (What's The Damage)
One agreed dollar amount for the whole engagement, usually split into an engagement fee when you sign and a success fee when you buy.
Suits: Buyers who want certainty. The fee doesn't rise if the purchase price does, so the agent has no reason to push you to spend more.
Percentage of the purchase price
Usually 1.5% to 3% of the purchase price (Aussie)
The fee is a percentage of what you pay, often with a minimum fee. Percentage fees are more common on higher-priced purchases.
Suits: Buyers who prefer to pay in proportion to the price. Check the minimum fee and GST before you compare.
Engagement fee plus success fee
An engagement fee of about $1,000 to $3,000 upfront, with the balance when you buy (Aussie)
Most fixed and percentage fees are paid this way. The engagement (or retainer) fee covers strategy and research; the success fee is paid when you secure a property.
Suits: Most buyers. Ask whether the engagement fee is deducted from the success fee and whether any of it is refundable.
Part services (auction bidding, negotiation, due diligence)
About $600 to $1,500 for bidding or negotiation, and $500 to $1,000 for due diligence only, per property (What's The Damage)
You find the property; the agent handles one stage, such as bidding at auction, negotiating a private sale or checking the property.
Suits: Confident buyers who have found a property and want help with the price or the checks.
Buyers agent fees by city
Fee models are the same nationally. What changes from city to city is the typical fee range and the purchase price, so a percentage fee costs more in dollars in dearer markets. Jump to: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Townsville.
| City | Typical fee range | Median price | 1.5% to 3% of the median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $7,000 to $48,000 | $1,466,060 | $22k to $44k |
| Melbourne | $6,500 to $42,000 | $915,119 | $14k to $27k |
| Brisbane | $5,500 to $38,000 | $1,146,078 | $17k to $34k |
| Perth | $6,000 to $40,000 | $1,017,734 | $15k to $31k |
| Adelaide | $5,000 to $34,000 | $990,531 | $15k to $30k |
| Canberra | $6,500 to $44,000 | $1,006,269 | $15k to $30k |
| Hobart | $5,500 to $36,000 | $790,406 | $12k to $24k |
| Darwin | $6,500 to $44,000 | $747,252 | $11k to $22k |
| Gold Coast | $5,500 to $38,000 | $1,380,000 | $21k to $41k |
| Sunshine Coast | $5,500 to $38,000 | $1,350,000 | $20k to $41k |
| Newcastle | $5,500 to $38,000 | $1,049,932 | $16k to $31k |
| Wollongong | $6,000 to $40,000 | $1,035,000 | $16k to $31k |
| Geelong | $5,500 to $38,000 | $763,530 | $11k to $23k |
| Townsville | $5,500 to $36,000 | $700,000 | $11k to $21k |
Typical fee ranges: What's The Damage, independent estimates verified November 2026. Medians: Cotality house values for the capitals (September 2026), and for the regional cities the source shown under each city below.
Buyers agent fees in Sydney
Typical buyers agent fees in Sydney run from about $7,000 to $48,000, depending on the price and the service. At the median house value of $1,466,060 (Cotality, median house value, September 2026), a 1.5% to 3% fee is about $21,991 to $43,982. Sydney has the highest prices in the country, so a percentage fee adds up to more in dollars than anywhere else, and a fixed fee often works out cheaper. Many Sydney investors use a buyers agent to buy interstate, where their budget goes further.
Buyers agent fees in Melbourne
Typical buyers agent fees in Melbourne run from about $6,500 to $42,000, depending on the price and the service. At the median house value of $915,119 (Cotality, median house value, September 2026), a 1.5% to 3% fee is about $13,727 to $27,454. In Victoria buyers agents are often called buyers advocates, and the fee models are the same. Auction bidding is a common part service in Melbourne, where a large share of homes sell at auction.
Buyers agent fees in Brisbane
Typical buyers agent fees in Brisbane run from about $5,500 to $38,000, depending on the price and the service. At the median house value of $1,146,078 (Cotality, median house value, September 2026), a 1.5% to 3% fee is about $17,191 to $34,382. Brisbane fees sit within the national range. Fast-moving markets put a premium on access to off-market and pre-market listings, which is worth asking about when you compare quotes.
Buyers agent fees in Perth
Typical buyers agent fees in Perth run from about $6,000 to $40,000, depending on the price and the service. At the median house value of $1,017,734 (Cotality, median house value, September 2026), a 1.5% to 3% fee is about $15,266 to $30,532. Perth buyers agents use the same fixed and percentage models. Perth's median house value is now above $1 million, so compare a percentage quote with a fixed fee in dollars.
Buyers agent fees in Adelaide
Typical buyers agent fees in Adelaide run from about $5,000 to $34,000, depending on the price and the service. At the median house value of $990,531 (Cotality, median house value, September 2026), a 1.5% to 3% fee is about $14,858 to $29,716. Adelaide has the lowest typical fee range of the capitals. Check whether a minimum fee applies, as it can make a percentage fee higher than it first looks.
Buyers agent fees in Canberra
Typical buyers agent fees in Canberra run from about $6,500 to $44,000, depending on the price and the service. At the median house value of $1,006,269 (Cotality, median house value, September 2026), a 1.5% to 3% fee is about $15,094 to $30,188. Canberra is a smaller market with fewer buyers agents, and its typical fee range sits near the top of the table. ACT investors also pay land tax on every rented home, so factor that into the budget.
Buyers agent fees in Hobart
Typical buyers agent fees in Hobart run from about $5,500 to $36,000, depending on the price and the service. At the median house value of $790,406 (Cotality, median house value, September 2026), a 1.5% to 3% fee is about $11,856 to $23,712. Many buyers agents active in Hobart are based on the mainland, so ask who inspects in person and whether travel is charged on top.
Buyers agent fees in Darwin
Typical buyers agent fees in Darwin run from about $6,500 to $44,000, depending on the price and the service. At the median house value of $747,252 (Cotality, median house value, September 2026), a 1.5% to 3% fee is about $11,209 to $22,418. Darwin has the lowest prices of the capitals but one of the higher typical fee ranges. At Darwin prices, a percentage fee can work out well below a fixed fee.
Buyers agent fees on the Gold Coast
Typical buyers agent fees on the Gold Coast run from about $5,500 to $38,000, depending on the price and the service. At the median house sale price of $1,380,000 (REIQ, March quarter 2026), a 1.5% to 3% fee is about $20,700 to $41,400. Gold Coast fees vary with the type of property: apartments, family houses and prestige waterfront homes can be priced differently. Ask what's included if you're buying from interstate.
Buyers agent Gold Coast · Best buyers agents on the Gold Coast
Buyers agent fees on the Sunshine Coast
Typical buyers agent fees on the Sunshine Coast run from about $5,500 to $38,000, depending on the price and the service. At the median house value of $1,350,000 (Cotality, August 2026 (Sunshine Coast News)), a 1.5% to 3% fee is about $20,250 to $40,500. The Sunshine Coast is one of the dearest markets outside the capitals, so a percentage fee on a median-priced house reaches the top of the fixed-fee range.
Buyers agent Sunshine Coast · Best buyers agents on the Sunshine Coast
Buyers agent fees in Newcastle
Typical buyers agent fees in Newcastle run from about $5,500 to $38,000, depending on the price and the service. At the median house value (Newcastle and Lake Macquarie) of $1,049,932 (Cotality, September 2026 (Newcastle Herald)), a 1.5% to 3% fee is about $15,749 to $31,498. Newcastle fees follow the national range. Inner Newcastle and the beaches price like Sydney, while Lake Macquarie and the Hunter are cheaper, which changes what a percentage fee costs.
Buyers agent fees in Wollongong
Typical buyers agent fees in Wollongong run from about $6,000 to $40,000, depending on the price and the service. At the median dwelling value (Illawarra) of $1,035,000 (Cotality, September 2026 (Illawarra Mercury)), a 1.5% to 3% fee is about $15,525 to $31,050. Wollongong tends to follow Sydney on price, and its typical fee range is a little higher than other regional cities.
Buyers agent fees in Geelong
Typical buyers agent fees in Geelong run from about $5,500 to $38,000, depending on the price and the service. At the typical house value (Greater Geelong) of $763,530 (our analysis, October 2026), a 1.5% to 3% fee is about $11,453 to $22,906. Geelong's lower prices than Melbourne mean a percentage fee can come in well below a fixed fee, so compare both at your budget.
Buyers agent fees in Townsville
Typical buyers agent fees in Townsville run from about $5,500 to $36,000, depending on the price and the service. At the median house sale price of $700,000 (REIQ, June quarter 2026), a 1.5% to 3% fee is about $10,500 to $21,000. Townsville has one of the lowest typical fee ranges, and at its median price a percentage fee is modest.
What a 1.5% to 3% buyers agent fee costs
Percentages are easier to compare in dollars. At common purchase prices, a 1.5% to 3% fee works out as follows:
| Purchase price | Fee at 1.5% | Fee at 3% |
|---|---|---|
| $600,000 | $9,000 | $18,000 |
| $800,000 | $12,000 | $24,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $22,500 | $45,000 |
On an $800,000 purchase, a 1.5% to 3% fee is $12,000 to $24,000, similar to a fixed fee for that price. On a $1.5 million purchase it’s $22,500 to $45,000, so a fixed fee usually costs less at higher prices. Add the fee to your other buying costs, such as stamp duty and legal fees, in the property purchase cost calculator.
What a buyer’s agent fee covers
A full-service engagement usually includes:
- A written brief: budget, borrowing, goals and the type of property that fits them.
- Market and suburb research to decide where to buy.
- Searching on-market, pre-market and off-market listings.
- Inspections, building and pest reports, and checking contracts and strata records with your conveyancer.
- Pricing the property against comparable sales and negotiating or bidding at auction.
- Managing the purchase through to settlement, and for investors, lining up a property manager.
A lower fee often means fewer of these steps. When you compare quotes, compare what’s included, not only the price.
Buyer’s agent fees for investors vs owner-occupiers
The fee for an investment purchase is often different from the fee for a home you’ll live in, because the work is different.
- Investment property: the work is research-led. The agent tests markets for growth, rental yield, vacancy and supply, and the right purchase may be in another city or state. Data, due diligence and buying remotely carry more weight than inspections.
- Owner-occupier home: the search usually centres on one area, school zone or commute, with more inspections and more weight on lifestyle and personal fit.
Some agencies charge more for one than the other, and some work only with one type of buyer. Rising Returns focuses on investment purchases across Australia, and can talk through a home purchase on a call. See how we buy investment property, or first home buyer investors and rentvesting if you’re buying your first property as an investment.
Buyer’s agent fees for commercial property
Commercial purchases such as shops, offices, industrial units and medical suites are usually quoted case by case, as a fixed fee or a percentage, with higher minimum fees than residential. The due diligence is broader: lease terms, tenant quality, rent reviews, outgoings, zoning, and the building’s condition and compliance. Fewer buyer’s agents specialise in commercial, so check their track record in the asset type you want.
Granny flat, renovation and other strategy projects
Some buyer’s agents also help clients add value after the purchase. These strategies take extra work, so they’re priced on top of, or separately from, a standard purchase fee:
- Granny flats and dual income: finding a site that suits a second dwelling, checking council rules and lot size, and coordinating builders.
- Renovations: buying below value, scoping and costing the work, and managing trades to lift rent and value.
- Subdivision and small developments: feasibility studies, planning advice and project management.
Ask whether project work is a fixed fee, a percentage of the build cost, or an hourly rate, and who carries the risk if costs run over.
Are buyer’s agent fees tax deductible? And GST
For an investment property, a buyer’s agent fee is generally not deductible in the year you pay it. It’s a cost of buying the property, so it usually forms part of the property’s cost base for capital gains tax, which reduces the taxable gain when you sell. See how the cost base affects your tax in the capital gains tax calculator. For a home you live in, the fee isn’t deductible.
Buyer’s agents registered for GST must charge it. Check whether each quote includes GST so you compare like with like. Tax rules depend on your circumstances, so confirm with your accountant.
How to compare buyer’s agent quotes
- Check the agent holds a current real estate licence in the state where you're buying.
- Get the fee, what's included and the payment terms in a written agreement before you pay anything.
- Ask what happens to the engagement fee if you don't buy, and whether any part is refundable.
- Ask whether the agent receives any commission, rebate or referral fee from sellers, developers or other parties. They must disclose it.
- Be wary of a 'free' buyer's agent. If you're not paying, someone else is, often the developer or seller.
- Ask for recent purchases similar to yours, and speak to past clients.
For more on judging value, read is a buyer’s agent worth it? and how to choose a buyer’s agent.
What would our fee be for your purchase?
Book a free discovery call. We’ll talk through your goals and budget and give you our fee in writing, with exactly what it includes. We buy across Australia.
Book a free discovery callBuyer’s agent fees: common questions
How much does a buyer's agent cost in Australia?
Most buyers agents charge either a percentage of the purchase price, usually 1.5% to 3%, or a fixed fee, typically about $6,000 to $18,000 below about $1 million and $18,000 to $40,000 for premium purchases. Part services such as auction bidding cost less, about $600 to $1,500. Fees differ for investment and owner-occupier purchases, for commercial property and for projects such as granny flats or renovations.
Is a fixed fee or a percentage fee better?
Neither is better for everyone. A fixed fee gives certainty and doesn't rise with the price, so the agent has no reason to push you to spend more. A percentage can be cheaper at lower price points. Compare both in dollars at your budget, including any minimum fee and GST.
When do you pay a buyer's agent?
Usually in two parts: an engagement fee when you sign the agreement, and a success fee when you exchange contracts or the contract becomes unconditional. Check the agreement for what happens if you don't buy, and whether any part is refundable.
Who pays the buyer's agent, the buyer or the seller?
The buyer. A buyer's agent works only for you, and the selling agent is paid by the seller. Be careful with a 'free' buyer's agent: if you're not paying, someone else is, often a developer or seller paying a commission. Agents must disclose any such payment.
Are buyer's agent fees tax deductible?
For an investment property, a buyer's agent fee is generally not deductible straight away. It's a cost of buying the property, so it usually forms part of the property's cost base for capital gains tax, which reduces the taxable gain when you sell. For a home you live in, it isn't deductible. Check your situation with your accountant.
Do buyer's agent fees include GST?
Buyer's agents registered for GST must charge it, but quotes don't always show it the same way. Ask whether a quote includes GST so you compare like with like.
How much does a buyers agent cost in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane?
Independent estimates put typical buyers agent fees at about $7,000 to $48,000 in Sydney, $6,500 to $42,000 in Melbourne and $5,500 to $38,000 in Brisbane, depending on the price and the service (What's The Damage, November 2026). At each city's median house value, a 1.5% to 3% fee works out to about $22,000 to $44,000 in Sydney, $14,000 to $27,000 in Melbourne and $17,000 to $34,000 in Brisbane.
How much does a buyers advocate cost in Melbourne?
A buyers advocate is what most Victorians call a buyers agent, and the fees are the same. Independent estimates put typical Melbourne fees at about $6,500 to $42,000, depending on the price and the service (What's The Damage, November 2026). A percentage fee of 1.5% to 3% at Melbourne's median house value works out to about $14,000 to $27,000; many advocates charge a fixed fee instead.
How do buyers agents get paid?
Buyers agents are paid by the buyer, never the seller: a percentage of the purchase price or a fixed fee, often with a retainer when you sign and the balance when you buy or settle. Ask whether anything is payable if no purchase goes ahead, and confirm they take no commissions from developers or selling agents.
Are fees different for investors and owner-occupiers?
Often, yes. An investment purchase is usually research-led: choosing the market, testing growth and yield, and buying where the numbers work, which may be interstate. An owner-occupier purchase centres on one area and lifestyle needs, with more inspections. Each takes different work, so many agencies price them differently.
How much does a buyer's agent cost for commercial property?
Commercial purchases are usually quoted case by case, as a fixed fee or a percentage, with higher minimum fees than residential. Due diligence covers leases, tenants, zoning and outgoings, which takes more work.
Is a buyer's agent worth the fee?
It depends on what the agent saves or adds: a better price, access to off-market properties, avoiding a poor purchase, and the time you'd otherwise spend. For investors, the right market and property usually matter more over the years than the fee itself.
General information only. Fee ranges are independent estimates of the Australian market, current at the dates shown, and vary between agencies. Sources: What's The Damage, buyers agent cost guide (independent estimates, verified November 2026); Aussie, How much does a buyer's agent really cost? (June 2025). This page doesn’t consider your personal circumstances and isn’t financial, tax or legal advice.