Selling costs in Melbourne: build a budget, then compare quotes
Separate commission from other expenses so one percentage does not stand in for the whole proposal.
AusAgentMatch · UpdatedWhat belongs in a selling budget?
Start with separate amounts for agent commission, marketing, auction costs where applicable, and conveyancing or legal work. Then list property preparation, moving, loan discharge and any applicable taxes. Replace budget assumptions with written quotes, checking GST, payment timing and charges if a sale does not proceed.
Is there a fixed agent commission in Melbourne?
Consumer Affairs Victoria explains that commission is negotiable and may be a fixed fee, a percentage of the sale price or a combination. We do not publish an unverified average rate. Request a quote for your property and ask for worked examples at different sale prices if a tiered commission is proposed.
How do you turn a quote into a budget?
This is a worked example, not an agent quote, a market average or a recommended rate. Assume every input already includes any applicable GST.
- Assumed sale price
- A$1,000,000
- Illustrative commission: 1.8%
- A$18,000
- Illustrative marketing
- A$3,000
- Illustrative auction cost
- A$800
- Illustrative conveyancing / legal
- A$2,000
- Total of these items
- A$23,800
The sale price less these items is A$976,200. This is not final net proceeds: mortgage repayment, taxes, moving and other expenses have not been deducted. Calculate fixed or tiered commissions separately using the actual agreed terms.
Adjust this example in the calculatorWhat should you check when comparing two quotes?
- What services does each charge cover? Have any items been counted twice?
- Do amounts include GST, and are both proposals based on the same assumed sale price?
- Which items are optional, and when is payment due?
- Which costs remain payable if the property is not sold, the timing changes or you stop the sale?
- What additional service would a higher budget actually buy?
Mark unconfirmed items as “quote pending” instead of entering zero. Confirm tax, mortgage and contractual questions with the appropriate professional.
Sources and scope
Consumer Affairs Victoria — Selling property with or without an agent
The official source explains commission and agency arrangements; the budget example is prepared by AusAgentMatch. This is general budgeting information, not individual legal or tax advice.