Real Estate Agent Commission in Brisbane and Melbourne

In 2026, real estate agent commission typically runs around 2.5 to 3 percent of the sale price in Brisbane, and around 1.6 to 2.5 percent in metropolitan Melbourne, with regional Victoria higher at roughly 2.5 to 3.5 percent. On an $850,000 sale, that works out to somewhere between $14,000 and $25,000 in commission alone, before marketing costs. Commission is always negotiable, and the rate varies by suburb and by agent.

Those percentages sound small until you convert them to dollars. So here's what they actually mean for a seller in each city.

What agents charge in Brisbane

Brisbane sits at the higher end of the national range. Recent market data puts the average around 2.5 to 2.6 percent, and it's common to see tiered structures where the rate rises with the sale price. Queensland has no legislated maximum commission, so the figure is set entirely by negotiation between you and the agent.

On an $850,000 Brisbane home at 2.5 percent, that's $21,250 in commission. Add a marketing package, typically photography, portal listing fees, and signage, and the total cost to sell often lands well above $23,000.

What agents charge in Melbourne

Melbourne's metro commission rates are among the lowest in the country, often quoted around 1.6 to 2.5 percent, largely because there are so many agents competing for listings. Regional Victoria runs higher, closer to 2.5 to 3.5 percent, where there's less competition.

On the same $850,000 sale in metro Melbourne at 2 percent, commission is around $17,000. It's lower than Brisbane, but it's still a five-figure sum, and marketing costs sit on top of it.

Why the percentage model costs more than it looks

The thing worth understanding is that commission scales with your property's value, not with the work involved. Selling a $1.7 million home is not ten times more effort than selling a $170,000 one, but at the same percentage the fee is exactly ten times larger.

That's the core reason a percentage-based commission can feel disproportionate at the higher end of the market. You're paying against the price of the asset, not against the cost of the service.

What the same sale costs without an agent

There are now models that remove commission entirely. SoldUp charges a flat platform fee, tiered by property value and payable only if you sell:

On that $850,000 example, the comparison is roughly $21,250 in Brisbane agent commission against a $2,950 flat fee. The full explanation of how that fee works and what it covers is in how does SoldUp make money.

The trade-off is that you sell privately and off-market rather than through a public agent campaign, which suits some sellers and not others. If you want to understand the difference before deciding, is SoldUp legit and how it works covers it plainly.

How to reduce what you pay, whichever route you choose

If you do use an agent, commission is negotiable, so get more than one appraisal and ask each agent to justify their rate. Watch the marketing costs, which are often charged separately and upfront regardless of whether you sell.

If you'd rather avoid commission altogether, the flat-fee and private-sale options are worth comparing against your expected sale price. The higher your property's value, the larger the gap between a percentage commission and a flat fee.

If you want to see what a private, off-market sale would look like for your property, you can create a free private listing at no cost.

FAQ

How much is real estate agent commission in Brisbane?

Typically around 2.5 to 3 percent of the sale price in 2026, with an average near 2.6 percent. On an $850,000 home that's roughly $21,250. There's no legislated cap in Queensland, so the rate is negotiable.

Is agent commission cheaper in Melbourne than Brisbane?

Usually yes. Metro Melbourne rates often sit around 1.6 to 2.5 percent because of high competition between agents, while Brisbane tends to run higher. Regional Victoria is higher again, around 2.5 to 3.5 percent.

Is real estate commission negotiable?

Yes, in every state. Commission rates are set by agreement, not by law, so it's worth getting multiple appraisals and asking each agent to justify their rate and marketing costs.

What does it cost to sell without paying commission?

It depends on the model. A flat-fee platform like SoldUp charges from $2,950 and only if you sell, with no percentage commission. Your other costs selling privately are photography and a conveyancer.