Real Estate Agent Fees and Commission in VIC (2026 Guide)
Victoria has one of the most active property markets in Australia, and its real estate agent fees reflect that depth of competition. Commission rates are deregulated (there is no government-set rate), which means what you pay comes down to negotiation, the property, and the agent you choose.
This guide covers what the data shows about commission rates in Victoria, how to read a worked example, what the fee covers and what it does not, and how the distribution model compares to a traditional listing agent.
For a national comparison, see our state-by-state guide to real estate agent fees in Australia.
How commission works in Victoria
Listing agents in Victoria are paid a commission: a percentage of the property's sale price, drawn from settlement proceeds. No sale, no fee. The commission must be disclosed in the agency agreement before the agent can begin marketing; under the Estate Agents Act 1980 (Vic), the agreement must set out the commission rate, any commission structure, and any other charges the vendor will be required to pay.
Commission in Victoria is:
- Deregulated: no government-set maximum or minimum rate
- Negotiable: the rate you agree to is rarely the first number quoted
- Percentage of sale price: calculated on the final contracted sale price, inclusive of GST
- Paid at settlement: not upfront; the vendor pays nothing in commission if the property does not sell
Some agents will quote a tiered or stepped structure; for example, a lower rate up to a defined reserve and a higher rate on any amount above it. Read the agency agreement carefully to understand exactly how the fee is calculated.
Average commission rates in VIC
Based on published industry data as at June 2026, the typical range for agent commission in Victoria is as follows. Sources disagree somewhat on exact averages, so ranges are more reliable than a single headline figure.
| Measure | Rate |
|---|---|
| State average | ~2.0% |
| Typical range | 1.2% to 2.9% |
| Melbourne metro average | ~2.43% |
Unusually, Melbourne metro averages in several published sources sit above the state average, which may reflect the higher absolute prices in the city driving different agent pricing behaviour. Regional Victoria spans a wide band: Geelong can sit around 1.56% to 1.98%, Ballarat around 2.0%, and more remote centres can approach 2.5% to 3.5%. These are illustrative figures from published sources and will vary by suburb and by agent.
All figures are estimates from multiple industry sources as at June 2026; treat them as a market guide, not a regulated rate.
Worked example: $750,000 sale price
The following table shows how commission translates to dollar cost at an example sale price of $750,000 (used as a broadly representative mid-range figure for Victoria; your property may differ significantly).
| Rate | Commission cost |
|---|---|
| 1.2% (low end) | $9,000 |
| 2.0% (state average estimate) | $15,000 |
| 2.43% (Melbourne metro average estimate) | $18,225 |
| 2.9% (high end) | $21,750 |
The spread between the low end and the high end on a $750,000 sale is $12,750. That gap underscores why comparing agents and negotiating on rate is worthwhile.
Use the agent commission calculator to model the numbers at your own sale price.
What commission does and does not cover
A listing agent's commission covers their time and professional service across the campaign: appraising and preparing the property for market, conducting open inspections, receiving and presenting offers, negotiating with buyers, and managing the process through to exchange and settlement.
What commission generally does not cover:
- Marketing and advertising: charged separately in most cases. A residential marketing campaign in Victoria typically costs $500 to $8,000 depending on the property, the suburb and the campaign depth. Budgeting 0.5 to 1% of the property price is a common rule of thumb. On a $750,000 property that translates to $3,750 to $7,500. A metro campaign in Melbourne can sit at the upper end of this range; a regional campaign may be at the lower end.
- Auctioneer's fee: if you sell by auction and your agent does not hold an auctioneer's licence, you will need a separate auctioneer. That fee is typically $400 to $1,000 in Victoria. Many agents in Victoria hold dual licences and the fee is absorbed; confirm with your agent.
- Conveyancing: your solicitor or conveyancer prepares the vendor's statement (Section 32), drafts the contract, and manages settlement. Seller-side conveyancing in Victoria typically runs $400 to $2,000 or more depending on complexity.
For a full picture of all selling costs, read our cost of selling a house in VIC guide or use the cost of selling calculator.
Other selling costs in brief
In addition to commission and marketing, sellers in Victoria commonly encounter:
- Conveyancing and legal fees: $400 to $2,000+
- Building and pest inspection (pre-sale, optional): $450 to $900
- Home staging (optional): $2,000 to $8,000
- Mortgage discharge fee (if applicable): bank fee $150 to $600 plus government registration ~$100 to $200
Figures are based on published industry data as at June 2026.
Negotiating the rate
Commission in Victoria is fully negotiable, and vendors who push back often achieve a meaningfully lower rate.
Use competition to your advantage. Get appraisals from two or three agents. This gives you genuine rate comparisons and signals to each agent that they are competing for the mandate.
Understand what drives the rate. Agents will typically quote higher commission on properties they expect to be harder to sell: unusual properties, challenging markets, longer expected campaigns. If your property is in a popular suburb and is expected to sell quickly, you have leverage.
Auction versus private treaty. Victoria has among the highest auction clearance rates in the country, and auctions carry their own cost structure (marketing spend is front-loaded; the auctioneer's fee may apply). Make sure you understand the total cost of each method, not just the commission component. For a comparison of the two methods, see auction or private treaty: choosing the right sale method.
Tiered structures. Some Victorian agents will propose a tiered commission: lower rate up to a certain price, a higher incentive rate above it. These can align interests when structured well but need to be read carefully. The total cost across likely sale-price scenarios should guide your view.
The AgentBridge alternative
Traditional listing agents market your property to whoever discovers it through portals and open homes. That audience is wide but passive; it depends on buyers finding you.
AgentBridge takes the opposite approach. We distribute your property to a national network of 80+ buyers agents simultaneously. Each buyers agent has pre-qualified, motivated clients actively searching in your price range and state. Rather than waiting for buyers to find the listing, the property is placed in front of known buyers from day one.
On a $750,000 sale in Victoria, a traditional listing agent at the state average commission of 2.0% costs $15,000. AgentBridge's distribution fee for the same property (which falls in the $600,000 to $1,500,000 band) is 1.75%, or $13,125. That is a saving of $1,875 against the average commission estimate, with broader reach into an active buyer network. The distribution fee includes the referral share paid to the buyers agent; no additional cost to the seller.
This is the distinction between a listing agent's commission and our distribution fee: a difference in both cost and model.
To learn more about how the model works, read how property distribution works for sellers and developers.
Frequently asked questions
Is agent commission regulated in Victoria?
No. Commission rates in Victoria are fully deregulated. There is no government-set minimum, maximum or standard rate. The agent must disclose their commission in the agency agreement before beginning work, and the rate is a matter of negotiation.
What is the average real estate agent commission in VIC?
Based on published industry data as at June 2026, the state average is approximately 2.0%, with a typical range of 1.2% to 2.9%. Melbourne metro averages in several sources sit around 2.43%. These are market observations, not regulated rates.
Does commission include marketing?
Generally no. Marketing (portal listings, photography, floorplans, signboard, advertising copy) is typically billed separately and upfront. Confirm the breakdown before signing the agency agreement.
How do I negotiate a lower commission in Victoria?
Obtain appraisals from at least two or three agents to create genuine competition. Know your property's likely sale timeline, as properties that are likely to sell quickly give you negotiating leverage. Ask each agent what their commission includes and compare total costs (commission plus marketing), not just the percentage.
General information only. Not financial, legal or taxation advice. Commission rates are market observations from published industry sources as at June 2026, not regulated rates. Confirm current figures directly with agents in your area.
Reach 80+ buyers agents at once
AgentBridge distributes your property to a national network of buyers agents simultaneously, for less than a traditional agent.