How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in ACT? (2026 Guide)
The Australian Capital Territory is one of the lowest-commission jurisdictions in the country — the state average sits around 2.0%, and the realistic range starts at 1.44%. That is good news for vendors. But the ACT's marketing costs tell a different story: Canberra campaigns can run $600 to $10,000, and for premium properties in suburbs like Forrest or Griffith, marketing budgets toward the top of that range are not unusual.
On a $850,000 ACT property, the total cost of selling — commission, marketing, conveyancing and everything else — typically lands between $24,000 and $38,000. This guide works through every component, explains the numbers and shows what sellers can do to manage the total.
The Quick Answer
For a typical house sale in the ACT, expect to spend:
- Agent commission: 1.44% to 2.5% of the sale price (state average around 2.0%; the ACT is effectively an all-metro jurisdiction)
- Marketing: $600 to $10,000 (Canberra campaigns vary widely by property tier; for most properties $2,500–$6,000 covers a strong campaign)
- Conveyancing: $700 to $2,500
- Auction fee (if applicable): $200 to $1,000
- Staging, inspection, mortgage discharge: variable — $2,500 to $10,000+ combined
All-in range on an $850,000 ACT property: approximately $24,000 to $38,000, or roughly 2.8%–4.5% of the sale price, before any capital gains tax considerations on investment properties.
Because the ACT is a single-city jurisdiction with a professional public-service workforce and a high median income, marketing spend tends to skew higher relative to property values than in comparable markets elsewhere.
All figures are published industry data as at June 2026. Commission rates in Australia are deregulated and negotiable — these are market averages, not regulated fees.
Itemised Cost Breakdown
| Cost component | Typical range (ACT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Agent commission | 1.44%–2.5% of sale price | State average ~2.0%; range 1.44%–2.36% (conservative); some sources cite up to 4% for premium properties |
| Marketing | $600–$10,000 | Sourced ACT range; most properties $2,500–$6,000; prestige can exceed $10,000 |
| Conveyancing (seller) | $700–$2,500 | Standard residential seller-side conveyancing |
| Auction fee | $200–$1,000 | Only if going to auction |
| Home staging | $2,000–$8,000 | Optional; typical 3-bedroom fit-out $3,500–$6,000 |
| Pre-sale building and pest inspection | $450–$900 | Combined report; seller-commissioned |
| Mortgage discharge (bank fee) | $150–$600 | Lender's fee to close and discharge the loan at settlement |
| Mortgage discharge (registration) | $100–$200 | Territory land-registry fee — confirm with conveyancer |
Worked Example: $850,000 Canberra Home
An example sale price of $850,000 is a realistic reference for an established Canberra detached house.
Agent commission at the ACT state average of 2.0%: $850,000 × 0.020 = $17,000
Commission at the low end of the sourced range (1.44%): $850,000 × 0.0144 = $12,240
Commission at the top of the conservative range (2.5%): $850,000 × 0.025 = $21,250
Marketing (mid-range Canberra campaign): $4,500 (within the sourced $600–$10,000 ACT range; realistic for a well-presented family home)
Conveyancing: $1,400 (typical, within the national $700–$2,500 range)
Mortgage discharge (bank fee + registration): $350 + $150 = $500 (mid-range bank fee plus land-registry charge)
Subtotal (commission at 2.0%, no staging, no auction, no inspection): $17,000 + $4,500 + $1,400 + $500 = $23,400 or 2.75% of the sale price
Add mid-range staging: $23,400 + $4,500 = $27,900 (3.3%)
Add auction fee and pre-sale inspection: $27,900 + $600 + $650 = $29,150 (3.4%)
The ACT commission average is lower than most other states, but the marketing spend potential is higher. A vendor who negotiates a 1.8% commission and runs a $6,000 premium marketing campaign ends up spending a similar total to a vendor in Perth who pays 2.4% with a more modest marketing budget.
The Costs Sellers Often Forget
Marketing in the ACT can be the biggest variable. The sourced ACT marketing range of $600–$10,000 is wider than most other states. At the lower end, a basic portal listing with photography covers the minimum. At the upper end — prestige homes, properties with development potential, or simply a highly competitive suburb — the full campaign budget can sit at $6,000–$10,000. For most standard Canberra family homes, $2,500–$6,000 is the realistic range.
The ACT is effectively all-metro. Unlike WA, TAS or QLD where there is a meaningful rural/remote market, the ACT is a single urban jurisdiction. Almost every property sits within the Canberra city limits or the Queanbeyan fringe. There are no "regional" marketing adjustments to make — but there is a prestige tier where marketing costs can be substantial.
Conveyancing in the ACT involves specific territorial obligations. The ACT has vendor disclosure requirements that differ from some other states. Your conveyancer will prepare a Section 222 disclosure statement as part of the contract, which covers the buyer's right to terminate and the seller's obligations to disclose known defects. This is included in a standard seller-side conveyancing fee.
The mortgage discharge process has two components. Your lender charges a discharge fee ($150–$600) to settle and formally close the loan. The ACT land registry separately charges a registration fee ($100–$200) to record the discharge against the title. Both appear at settlement.
Capital gains tax applies to investment properties. If the property is not your principal place of residence, a CGT liability may arise on sale. This guide covers selling costs above the line; CGT depends on your individual circumstances. Speak to a registered tax agent or accountant before making any decisions.
How to Reduce the Selling Costs
Negotiate the commission rate. The ACT's commission rates are deregulated, and the sourced range starts at 1.44%. The 2.0% average means meaningful room exists above the floor. Canberra's relatively high property values and informed vendor base mean agents are accustomed to commission discussions. Getting multiple appraisals and asking each agent to confirm their rate is the starting point.
Be deliberate about the marketing package. The ACT's wide $600–$10,000 range reflects genuine variation in campaign scope. A professional photography package, portal listing, floor plan and signboard covers the standard bases at the lower end of that range. Aerial photography, full video walkthroughs and premium portal upgrades add cost and are most justifiable for prestige properties or unusual stock.
Consider whether auction is the right method. Auctions are more common in Canberra than in some other markets. They can drive competitive bidding in the right conditions — but the auctioneer fee ($200–$1,000) is an additional cost, and auctions carry risks in a slow market. See Auction or Private Treaty: Choosing the Right Sale Method for a fuller comparison.
Compare conveyancers. Seller-side conveyancing in the ACT runs $700–$2,500. A licensed conveyancer handles most standard residential sales; a solicitor is appropriate for more complex transactions. Get two to three quotes and confirm what is included.
The AgentBridge Alternative
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AgentBridge charges a distribution fee, not a commission. That distinction is deliberate: the distribution fee is a transparent service charge for running a national brief, not a percentage tied to the agent's incentive to achieve a particular price.
How the fee compares on the same $850,000 example:
For a property in the $600,000–$1,500,000 band, the AgentBridge total distribution fee is 1.75% of the sale price:
$850,000 × 0.0175 = $14,875
Against the traditional route at the ACT average of 2.0% commission ($17,000), the saving on the fee alone is $2,125. Against a 2.5% commission rate, the saving is $6,375.
Marketing in the traditional model is charged on top of the commission. The AgentBridge distribution fee includes the preparation of a professional property brief and national distribution to the buyers agent network — the seller does not fund a separate open-market advertising campaign.
The distribution fee includes a referral share paid to the buyers agent who introduces the buyer. That share is paid out of the collected fee on settlement — it is not an additional cost to the seller.
The ACT market is particularly well-served by buyers agents because interstate demand (from east-coast investors and public service relocators) is a meaningful share of the buyer pool. A national distribution network reaches that interstate buyer set directly.
For more on how the model works, see How Property Distribution Works for Sellers and Developers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical agent commission rate in the ACT? Published industry data as at June 2026 puts the ACT average at around 2.0%, with a sourced range of 1.44%–2.36%. Some sources cite rates up to 4% for premium properties in Canberra. Rates are deregulated and negotiable. See Real Estate Agent Fees in ACT for a full breakdown by property type.
Why are marketing costs so high in the ACT? Canberra's marketing market reflects a professional buyer pool that responds to high-quality presentation. Portal listings with premium placement, professional photography, video, floor plans and suburb-profile advertising all contribute. Most standard residential properties sit in the $2,500–$6,000 range; the $10,000 upper bound applies to prestige properties where investment in presentation has a demonstrable return.
Do I pay conveyancing as the seller, not just the buyer? Yes. Sellers in the ACT pay for their own conveyancing to prepare the contract of sale, prepare the Section 222 vendor disclosure statement and manage the settlement process. Seller-side conveyancing typically costs $700–$2,500. See Conveyancing: Contract to Settlement for more.
What is the total cost to sell a house in the ACT? For a Canberra home at around $850,000, expect to spend $23,000–$35,000 before optional extras like staging. As a rough guide, 3%–4.5% of the sale price covers most scenarios. Use the Cost of Selling Calculator and the Agent Commission Calculator to model your own numbers.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or taxation advice. Costs are sourced from published industry data as at June 2026 and may vary. Confirm current figures with the relevant provider before relying on them. If this property is an investment, speak to a registered tax agent about any capital gains tax obligations before proceeding.
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