Calculate Your Home Selling Costs

Know exactly what you'll pay when selling your property with our interactive calculator that breaks down all costs involved with selling your home.

Home Selling Cost Calculator

Estimate all costs associated with selling your property in Australia.

Cost Estimator

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Commission Structure
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Additional Services
$500 - $5,000
$1,500 - $8,000
$1,000 - $2,000
$500
Estimated Selling Costs in for a worth

Understanding Home Selling Costs

Learn about the different types of costs involved in selling your property and how to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Beware of these hidden selling costs

  • Early Termination/Marketing Fees
    If you terminate your agent early or do not sell, you may still be liable for marketing costs and admin fees.
  • Auctioneer Fees and True Cost of Public Auctions
    Public auctions are expensive and can never get you the highest price, only the second highest price. Check out our article explaining auctions to find out why.
  • Pre-Sales Repairs & Maintenance
    Minor repairs, painting, garden tidying, and cleaning can add $2,000 - $5,000+ to your costs.
  • Moving Costs
    Often overlooked in selling calculations. Professional movers costs $1,000 - $3,000+ depending on distance and volume.
  • Capital Gains Tax
    If selling an investment property, you may be liable for CGT on the profit. Seek professional tax advice.
  • Vacant Property Costs
    If you are not collecting rent, the running costs of an investment property can stack up fast. Mortgage repayments, utilities, council rates, and insurance can total $1,000 - $5,000 per month easily.

Expert Tip: Request a complete cost breakdown

Before signing with any agent, request a comprehensive written breakdown of ALL potential costs including marketing, commissions, and any conditional fees. This allows you to accurately compare agents and avoid surprise expenses later.
  • Total hidden costs often add 1-2% to your selling expenses

Fixed Fee Commission

A set dollar amount regardless of the final sales price. Can range from $5,000 to $15,000+ depending on services included.
Example:

Property sold for $750,000 with a fixed fee of $8,000.

Commission: $8,000
Popular with discount agencies

Percentage Commission

A percentage of the final sale price, typically ranging from 1% to 3% depending on location and property value.
Example:

Property sold for $750,000 with 2.5% commission.

Commission: $16,500
Most common across the country

Tiered Commission

Combines different rates for different price backets. Often used to incentivise agents to achieve higher selling prices.
Example:

2% on first $700K + 10% on amount above $700K

Commission on a sale for $750K: $19,000
Provides performance incentives

How much commission should you pay?

Deciding a commission can be very difficult. Balancing your costs while ensuring you incentivise the agent and avoid discount agents isn’t always straightforward.
Check our article about real estate commissions to get a good idea of what you should pay.

Commission Comparison by State

STATE AVERAGE COMMISSION RATE COMMISSION ON $750K PROPERTY NOTES
NSW 2% - 2.5% $15,000 - $18,750 Higher in Sydney CBD, lower in regional areas
VIC 1.6% - 2.5% $12,000 - $18,750 Among the lowest in Australia
QLD 2.5% - 3% $18,750 - $22,500 Higher rates common in Brisbane
WA 2% - 3% $15,000 - $22,500 Sliding scale common
SA 2% - 2.75% $15,000 - $20,625 Fixed fees becoming more common
TAS 2.5% - 3.5% $18,750 - $26,250 Highest average in Australia
ACT 2% - 2.5% $15,000 - $18,750 Competitive market
NT 2.5% - 3.5% $18,750 - $26,250 Higher in remote areas

Basic Marketing Components

  • Professional Photography
    High-quality photos as essential for attracting buyers. Expect to pay $200 - $500 depending on property size.
  • Floor Plans
    Professionally drawn floor plans help buyers visualise the space. Cost: $150 - $300
  • Video Tours
    Increasingly popular, especially for higher-value properties but not always necessary. Cost: $200 - $1,0000
  • Signage
    Property Signs are a great way of attracting buyers with little downside. Cost: $200 - $400

Online Listing Costs

Domain logo
Silver $300 - $900
Gold $900 - $1,300
Platinum $1,400 - $1,900
Platinum Edge $1,500 - $2,500

realestate.com.au logo
Standard $300 - $1,100
Feature $1,500 - $2,500
Highlight $2,500 - $3,500
Premium $3,000 - $4,500

Property Staging Options

Partial Staging Options
Focus on key areas like living room, dining room, and master bedroom.
Average Cost: $1,500 - $3,000
Typically for 4-6 weeks
Full Home Staging or 3-4 Bedroom Homes
Complete staging of all main rooms including furniture, artwork, and accessories.
Average Cost: $3,500 - $5,500
Typically for 6-8 weeks
Premium Styling or 5+ Bedroom Homes
Luxury furniture and accessories for high-end properties.
Average Cost: $6,000 - $12,000+
Typically for 8-12 weeks

Is Staging Worth the Cost?

  • Potential Return of Investment
    If your home is dated or overly cluttered, staging can be a good investment. Good styling adds to the home’s basic charm and character.
  • Not Always Necessary
    For homes filled with warmth and love then staging is likely not needed.
  • Cost-effective Alternatives

    Consider:
    * Virtual staging ($100 - $300 per month)
    * DIY decluttering and minor styling
    * Partial staging of key rooms only

Understanding Conveyancing Costs

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from seller to buyer. Costs vary by state and property complexity.
What's typically included:
  • Contract preparation and review
  • Title searches
  • Addressing any encumbrances or easements
  • Settlement Attendance
  • Listing with banks and the buyer's conveyancer
  • Handling financial adjustments (e.g., council rates)
Average Cost Ranges:
Standard Service $800 - $1,500
Complex Property $1,500 - $2,500+
Note: Additional fees may apply for searches, certificates and disbursements.
New South Wales & Victoria
Generally higher rates due to more complex property laws
Average Range: $1,000 - $2,000
Queensland
Different process with "settlement notice" requirements
Average Range: $900 - $5,800
Western Australia
Settlement agents common instead of solicitors
Average Range: $800- $1,500
South Australia
Electronic conveyancing mandatory for most transactions
Average Range: $800- $1,400
Tasmania
Lower average costs but fewer providers available
Average Range: $700- $1,300
NT & ACT
Unique territorial requirements and processes
Average Range: $900 - $1,700
  • Money Saving Tip
Don't automatically use the conveyancer recommended by your agent. Get at least three quotes from independent conveyancers or solicitors to ensure competitive pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about home selling costs in Australia

Yes, agent commissions are almost always negotiable. Knowing how to negotiate an agent’s commission can save you thousands of dollars while maintaining the agent’s motivation. Be careful when negotiating the agent's fee down before you sign as it could have negative effects on your sale process.

Marketing is less essential than you may think, many of the best agents can sell your house without it. Find out more here.

Conveyancing costs typically range from $800 to $2,500 depending on the state and complexity of the sale.

Property staging can be worth the investment for higher-end properties or those that are empty, as it helps buyers visualize the space. Studies show staged homes often sell faster and for higher prices. However, for properties in hot markets or lower price ranges, basic de-cluttering and cleaning might be sufficient. Consider virtual staging as a cost-effective alternative.

Many sellers overlook costs such as mortgage discharge fees, property repairs identified during inspections, council rates/ strata adjustments, capital gains tax for investment properties, moving expenses, and bridging loan interest if buying before selling. It's advisable to set aside 1-2% of your property value as a buffer for these unexpected expenses to avoid financial stress during the settlement process.

Commission rates vary significantly between states, with Tasmania and NT typically having the highest rates (2.5-3.5%) and Victoria the lowest (1.6-2.5%). Conveyancing costs also vary based on state-specific regulations and property transfer processes.