Selling privately swaps an agent's commission for a handful of smaller costs that you control. For most owners the total is a few thousand dollars rather than tens of thousands. Here's what to budget, and what the saving does and doesn't include.
The costs at a glance
| Cost | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Listing package | $995 to $2,495 | One-off, including GST. All SellPrivate packages include realestate.com.au and Domain. |
| Conveyancer or solicitor | About $1,000 to $3,000 | Varies by state and complexity. Ask for a written quote that includes searches and disbursements. |
| Professional photos and floor plan | A few hundred dollars | Optional. Included in Premium. |
| Repairs, cleaning and styling | Your choice | Spend on what buyers notice first. |
| Mortgage discharge | Usually a few hundred dollars | Ask your lender, and check for break costs on a fixed rate. |
| Capital gains tax | Depends | Generally not payable on your main residence. Check with your accountant, especially for investment properties. |
Sellers don't pay stamp duty on the sale: that's the buyer's cost.
What an agent would usually cost
Commission isn't set by law and it's negotiable. National figures usually put it at about 2 to 2.5 per cent of the sale price, often lower in the capitals and higher in regional areas. Most agents also ask you to pay for marketing, which can add several thousand dollars.
Here's a worked example on a $900,000 home. These are estimates, so use your own quotes.
| With an agent | With SellPrivate Complete | |
|---|---|---|
| Commission at 2.2% including GST | $19,800 | None |
| Marketing | $4,000 | Included in the package |
| Package fee | None | $1,495 |
| Total | $23,800 | $1,495 |
In this example the difference is $22,305. You'd pay your conveyancer either way, so that cost cancels out. Try your own numbers in the savings calculator on our packages page.
What the saving doesn't include
A lower fee is only part of the picture, and it's worth being honest about the rest.
- Your time. You answer enquiries, run inspections and negotiate. Allow a few hours most weeks while you're on the market.
- The sale price. A skilled agent may get a higher price, and a poorly priced private sale can lose more than the commission saved. Pricing and negotiating well matter more than the fee. Our comparison of a private sale and an agent covers this.
- Holding costs. The median home in the capital cities took 39 days to sell at the end of October 2026, the longest since August 2020 (Cotality). Your loan, rates and insurance keep running while you wait.
Costs people forget
- ATO clearance certificate. Since 1 January 2025 Australian residents need one to sell property at any price. Without it the buyer must withhold 15 per cent of the sale price at settlement. It's free to apply for, but do it early. Your conveyancer can help. ATO details.
- Pool and safety certificates. Some states require a pool compliance certificate before you sell. Ask your conveyancer what applies to you.
- Strata or body corporate documents. Units and townhouses usually need extra certificates, which carry a fee.
- Settlement adjustments. Council and water rates are shared between you and the buyer at settlement, so you may pay or receive a small amount.
- Bridging finance. If you're buying before you sell, ask your lender what that gap would cost.
How to keep your costs down
- Get a fixed-fee conveyancing quote before you list.
- Fix what buyers notice, like dripping taps, scuffed walls and an untidy entry, and skip big renovations.
- Price it right from day one. Reducing the price later usually costs more than any fee. Start with how to price your home or a free property value report.
- Choose the package that fits what you'll do yourself. Good photos from your own phone can work on Starter. If you'd rather hand that over, Premium includes it.
General information only, not financial, tax or legal advice. Fees vary, so check them against your own quotes.