Agent commission gets most of the attention when sellers think about the cost of selling. But commission is just one line item. Once you add marketing, presentation costs, and what you lose in negotiation, the total cost of a traditional agent sale in Queensland typically sits well above the commission rate alone.
Commission Structure in Queensland
In Queensland, there is no legislated cap on real estate agent commissions — they are negotiated between you and the agent. In practice, standard rates across the market sit at:
- 2–2.5% + GST on the first $300,000–$500,000 of the sale price
- 1.5–2% + GST on the portion above that threshold
- Some agencies offer flat-fee structures, which can be competitive for higher-priced properties
On a $750,000 property using a tiered structure, the commission component alone might be $16,500–$18,750 + GST. All commission rates and structures must be disclosed in the agency agreement before you sign. Read the agreement carefully — the commission amount, the exclusive period, and the termination conditions are all negotiable before you sign.
What Commission Typically Includes
Standard commission usually covers the agent's time for appraisal, listing preparation, open homes, buyer enquiries, and negotiation through to exchange. It does not typically include:
- Photography and floor plans
- Online advertising (realestate.com.au and Domain listing packages)
- Print and signage
- Auctioneer fees (if selling by auction)
- Property styling or furniture hire
These are charged separately — and the agency agreement will specify how.
Marketing Costs
A typical residential marketing campaign in Brisbane might include:
- Photography: $400–$800
- Floor plan: $150–$300
- Online advertising (Premiere+ on realestate.com.au): $2,500–$5,000
- Print / suburb magazines / signboards: $300–$800
Total marketing outlay: $3,500–$7,000 for a standard campaign. These costs are typically charged upfront and are not refunded if the property doesn't sell. Some agents offer vendor-funded marketing as part of a higher commission; others separate them. Compare what's actually included before comparing commission rates.
Property Presentation Costs
Property styling — furniture hire, styling consultation, and minor cosmetic work — is optional but increasingly common. For a vacant property, a staged presentation can meaningfully improve online listing engagement and inspection attendance. Typical costs:
- Full furniture hire for 4-week campaign: $2,000–$6,000
- Partial style (supplementing existing furniture): $1,200–$3,000
- Stylist's day rate (consultation and sourcing): $600–$1,200
If the agent recommends styling, get a clear quote before agreeing. The cost isn't included in commission.
The Total Cost Picture
Adding it together — commission, marketing, and styling — the typical cost of a traditional agent campaign on a $750,000 Brisbane property might be:
- Agent commission: $16,500–$18,750 + GST ($18,150–$20,625 inc. GST)
- Marketing: $4,000–$6,500
- Styling: $2,000–$5,000
- Total: $24,000–$32,000 — approximately 3.2–4.3% of the sale price before negotiation leakage
Add in 4–8 weeks of holding costs (mortgage, rates, insurance) and the gap between asking price and final contract price — typically 2–4% in a normal market — and the real cost of a traditional agent sale can reach 5–7% of the gross sale price.
Eleva's property partnership model means no agent fees and no upfront costs.
See how the partnership model works →Alternatives to a Traditional Agent Campaign
Several paths exist for sellers who want to reduce or eliminate this cost stack:
- Private sale — you list and manage the property yourself, engaging only a conveyancer for the contract. Saves commission but requires your own marketing spend and negotiation effort.
- Direct sale — selling directly to a professional buyer removes the campaign entirely. No marketing, no styling, no open homes, no commission. The price reflects the as-is condition and timeline, but the cost savings are real.
- Property partnership — for properties that need preparation before they can achieve market price, a partnership model funds and manages the preparation, then takes the property to market. No upfront cost to the seller; Eleva recovers preparation costs at settlement.
The right path depends on your property's condition, your timeline, and what you're optimising for. Learn about the property partnership model or explore direct acquisition.
Common Questions
How much commission does a real estate agent charge in Queensland?
There is no fixed rate — commissions are negotiable. Standard market rates typically sit at 2–2.5% + GST on the first $300,000–$500,000 of the sale price, with a reducing rate on the portion above. On a $750,000 property, this could be $16,500–$18,750 before GST. Always confirm the full commission structure in writing before signing an agency agreement.
Are marketing fees included in agent commission in Queensland?
Generally no. Marketing costs — photography, floor plans, online advertising, signage — are usually charged separately from commission. A typical campaign adds $3,500–$7,000 on top of commission. Some agencies bundle marketing into a higher commission rate. Compare what's actually included, not just the headline commission percentage.
Can I negotiate real estate agent fees in Queensland?
Yes. Commission rates, marketing costs, exclusive listing periods, and termination conditions are all negotiable in Queensland. Many sellers accept the first fee quoted without realising it's a starting position. Get at least two or three appraisals, compare the full service offering, and read the agency agreement carefully before signing.
Can I sell my house without paying agent commission in Queensland?
Yes. Options include private sale (you manage the process, engage a conveyancer for the contract) or a direct sale to a professional buyer. Eleva Property's direct acquisition model removes agent fees entirely, and the property partnership model operates without traditional agent commission — preparation costs are funded by Eleva and settled at completion.