If you're selling in Queensland, expect to pay your agent around 2.48% of the sale price, according to internal data. Rates can be as low as 1.54% or as high as 3.45%. In Brisbane, the average is 2.42%.

When you're talking to prospective agents about selling your home, you need to ensure you're not overpaying them in commissions. Depending on the value of your property, this could amount to thousands of dollars of your hard-earned cash.

What you pay depends on where you're selling, your property and the agent you choose, and every rate is negotiable.

Average QLD real estate commissions in 2026

According to internal data, the average commission rate in Queensland is 2.48%. But commissions can be as low as 1.54% or as high as 3.45%. These rates include GST.

To see just how much commission rates can vary between areas, check out the table below.

The rate you agree can make a huge difference, because commission is usually the biggest single cost of selling. Here's the same $1 million home in two places:

• Sell a $1 million home in Brisbane, where the average commission rate is 2.42%, and you'd pay about $24,200, including GST.
• Sell the same home on the Gold Coast, where the average is 2.23%, and you'd pay about $22,300, including GST.

At the Queensland average, here's what you'd pay at a few common prices:

If you're looking to sell your home anytime soon, it's a good idea to calculate the cost of selling your home to help you budget accordingly.

What's included in QLD real estate agent fees?

When looking for a real estate agent to sell and represent your home, you'll find that the rates will vary from agent to agent. In Queensland, you'll usually pay for marketing and advertising on top of the commission, not as part of it.

Your agent lists them separately on the appointment form (Form 6) you sign before they start work, with a set amount you agree to. They can only charge what's actually spent, up to that amount.

What affects commission rates in Queensland?

Commission rates will vary depending on the situation. Some factors that will influence the final commission rate include:

The property itself

If you have an unusual property or one that is only going to appeal to a small subset of buyers, your agent is going to have to work harder to sell it, so they are likely to charge you more for their time and efforts.

The value of the property

If you have a property that has a comparatively high value, some agents may accept a lower commission rate. In Brisbane, for example, commission averaged 2.98% on homes that sold for up to $500,000, and 2.34% on homes that sold for between $1 million and $1.25 million.

Location

If you're selling in the south-east, your commission will tend to be lower than in regional Queensland. The Gold Coast averages 2.23% and Brisbane 2.42%, while Rockhampton (2.82%), Bundaberg (2.89%) and Gladstone (2.91%) sit higher.

The supply and demand of agents

If you're selling in an area with more agents, competition is likely to be stronger. That means more agents may be willing to cut their rates to compete, and average commissions in the area may be lower.

Conversely, where there are fewer agents, there may not be the same level of competition to keep rates down. This means average commissions may be higher.

The quality of the agent

Good agents with great track records often charge more and are less willing to move on their fee, because their results speak for them.

Sometimes, it's not so much about what an agent charges you, but more about what it could cost you if you get the wrong agent to sell what is likely to be your most valuable possession.

The agent's experience

Newer agents may accept lower commission rates to help them break into the market and build up a track record. Even though they have less experience, some may be worth the risk because they may try harder to prove themselves.

Negotiation skills

The commission rate struck between you and your agent will depend on both of your negotiating skills. An agent who holds firm on their fee may hold firm with buyers too, which can be a good sign.

If an agent gives in too easily or too quickly when negotiating their own commission rate, imagine how they will fare when it comes to pushing prospective buyers for a better price on your home.

Related content:

• Is using a real estate agent to sell your home worth it?
• Why are agent commissions so expensive? What do they cover?
• Can I sell my property on my own?

Understand the ins-and-outs of commission structures

It's important to note that there are two common commission structures when employing the help of a real estate agent to help you sell your home.

While most agents will offer a flat percentage fee structure, others may offer an incentive-based or tier-based commission structure, where they are rewarded more when a higher sale price is achieved. Some sellers use a tiered structure to give the agent a reason to push for a higher price.

For example: suppose you agree to a set commission of 2.2% and your home sells for $800,000. The fee is simply 2.2% of the sale price, so you'd pay $17,600. No matter how high or low the final price is, the rate stays the same.

Now imagine you negotiate a sliding scale to motivate the agent: 2% on the first $830,000, and 6% on anything above that. If the property sells for $900,000, you'd pay 2% on the first $830,000, which is $16,600, and 6% on the extra $70,000, which is $4,200, for a total commission of $20,800.

You pay the higher rate only on the part of the price above the threshold ($830,000 here), so the extra $70,000 costs you $4,200 in commission.

Your agent's appointment form records the commission including GST, so check whether any rate you're quoted includes it. A rate of 2.2% including GST is 2% before GST.

For some further tips to help you avoid overpaying on real estate agents' commissions in Queensland, see our Queensland agent fees guide.

How is commission agreed in Queensland?

You and your agent agree the commission in writing, on an appointment form (Form 6). Commission rates on residential home sales in Queensland have been deregulated since 1 December 2014.

Before that, the state set a maximum commission rate of 5% on the first $18,000 paid for a property and then 2.5% for the remaining balance, plus GST. These days, commissions are negotiable just like they are in the rest of Australia.

Before your agent does any work, they must give you the appointment form to sign. It sets out:

• the commission, as a percentage or a dollar amount, including GST
• when it's payable, which by default is at settlement, the day the sale completes
• marketing costs, listed separately with a set amount
• how long the agency lasts (no more than 90 days at a time for a sole or exclusive agency on a home)

If the commission is a percentage, it's worked out on the actual sale price, and the agent can't charge more than the form says. If the form says commission is payable at some other time (the "Other" option), check what happens if the sale doesn't settle, because the agent may still ask for commission.

How much do real estate agents earn?

The earnings of real estate agents in Australia can vary widely depending on factors such as experience, performance, market conditions, and the agency they work for. Real estate agents typically earn their income through commissions based on the sale or lease of properties.

Across Australia, the average commission rate is 2.01%, according to internal data. In Queensland it's 2.48%, the highest of any state or territory, though every rate can be negotiated.

Real estate agents can also be paid based on an incentive-based or tier-based commission structure. This makes it so that the commission rate is dependent on the performance of the agent, which is meant to motivate them to put more effort into getting a higher sale price for your property. You would then pay a higher rate on anything they get over a set price.

Other real estate selling fees in QLD to be aware of

When you're selling a property, you need to be aware of all the costs you could come across. Aside from real estate agent commissions, you may also have marketing costs to consider, which are usually charged on top of commission. Then there's conveyancing fees, mortgage discharge fees, moving costs, renovating and repairing costs, as well as the cost of home styling if that is something you are considering.

Since 1 August 2025, most sellers also need a seller disclosure statement (Form 2) and certificates ready before a buyer signs the contract. If you're selling at auction, they need to be ready before bidding starts. A solicitor can prepare these for you.

You can use our selling costs calculator to estimate how much selling your home might cost, inclusive of commission rates in your area.

Related content:

• How much does it cost to sell a house in QLD?

Frequently asked questions about Queensland real estate commissions