Settlement Agent Fees in WA: What Sellers Actually Pay

In Western Australia, settlement agent fees are not regulated, so every firm sets its own price. For a straightforward home sale, published Perth price guides commonly put the professional fee somewhere around $800 to $1,500, with searches and government charges on top. The number that matters is the written maximum your settlement agent must give you before you sign anything.

Settlement is the last step of a sale and the one sellers think about least. It is also where a small bill can quietly grow if you have not asked the right questions. Here is what a settlement agent does, what it usually costs, what the rules say, and what to check before you appoint one.

What a settlement agent does for a seller

In WA, most home sales are settled by a licensed settlement agent rather than a lawyer, although a lawyer can do the job too. The settlement agent is the person who makes sure the property legally changes hands and the money lands where it should.

For a seller, that usually means:

• Checking the contract and keeping track of every condition and deadline in it
• Making enquiries about the title, rates and other charges on the property
• Working out the adjustments for council rates, water rates and any strata levies, so you pay up to the settlement date and the buyer pays from it
• Coordinating with your lender to discharge the mortgage
• Preparing and lodging the transfer documents and attending settlement on your behalf
• Making sure the sale proceeds are paid out correctly, including the agent's commission

It is detailed, deadline-driven work. A missed condition or a wrong adjustment can delay settlement or cost you money, which is why the cheapest quote is not automatically the best one.

How much a settlement agent costs in WA

There is no set fee. Settlement agent fees in WA were deregulated on 3 February 2016, and since then each firm prices its own service.

As a rough guide, published Perth price guides commonly put a straightforward seller settlement at around $800 to $1,500 in professional fees. Searches, registration fees and other government charges are usually listed separately and add to that. Expect more if the sale is not straightforward, for example a deceased estate, a subdivision, a property held in a company or trust, or a sale that runs into problems.

Those figures are a range, not a quote. Fees change, firms differ, and your settlement may be simpler or harder than average. Ask for the number in writing.

What the rules say about the quote

This is the part most sellers never hear, and it protects you. Under WA's rules for settlement agents:

• A written quote first. Before you sign the appointment to act, the settlement agent must give you a written quote setting out the maximum amount they will charge.
• The maximum must be all-in for their service. It has to include all of their fees, commissions, charges and general office costs. Consumer Protection WA treats electronic settlement (PEXA) fees as part of that office cost, so they belong inside the maximum too.
• Government charges are separate. Duty, statutory fees and bank fees are not part of the service amount, so they will appear as extra lines. That is normal. Ask for an estimate of them anyway.
• No surprise increases. The agent can only go above the quoted maximum if the job changes significantly, and they must tell you in writing and have you agree to continue.
• Conflicts must be disclosed. If the settlement agent has a relationship that could create a conflict of interest, they must give you a written disclosure notice before you sign. They cannot act for both the buyer and the seller unless both of you agree.

Who chooses the settlement agent

You do. You are free to choose your own settlement agent, and to change if you need to. Your real estate agent may suggest a few names, and that is fine, but the choice is yours.

One thing worth knowing: under the WA Code of Conduct for real estate agents, an agent who recommends a settlement agent must not accept any commission for that recommendation. If a recommendation ever comes with pressure attached, ask why.

My advice is simple. Pick a settlement agent who acts only for you, not for the buyer as well, and appoint them early. You can line one up before your home goes on the market, so the contract is checked properly the moment an offer comes in.

The other costs that land at settlement

The settlement agent's fee is only one line on the settlement statement. Sellers are often surprised by the rest, so budget for them:

• Mortgage discharge costs. Your lender may charge a discharge fee, and there is a government fee to register the discharge.
• Rates and levies adjustments. You pay council rates, water rates and strata levies up to the settlement date. If you have paid ahead, you are credited. If you are behind, it comes out of your proceeds.
• Agent commission and marketing. Commonly paid out of the sale proceeds at settlement, depending on your agency agreement.

In WA, the buyer pays transfer duty, not the seller. If you would like the full picture of selling costs in one place, I have broken them down in what it costs to sell a house in WA.

Questions sellers ask

How much does a settlement agent cost for a seller in Perth?
There is no regulated fee in WA. Published Perth price guides commonly put a straightforward seller settlement at around $800 to $1,500 in professional fees, with searches and government charges on top. Complex sales cost more. Always get a written quote with a stated maximum before you sign.

Can the buyer and seller use the same settlement agent?
Only if both the buyer and the seller give their permission on the appointment form. Even then, you are better served by a settlement agent who acts only for you, because their job is to protect your interests, not to balance two sets of them.

Can a settlement agent charge more than their quote?
Only if the job changes significantly. They must tell you in writing and you must agree to them continuing. Government charges such as registration fees are listed separately from their service fee, so check which lines are fixed and which are estimates.

When should I appoint a settlement agent when selling?
Early. You can appoint one before you list, which means the contract can be checked as soon as an offer arrives. Waiting until after the contract is signed leaves less room to catch problems with conditions and deadlines.

Do I have to use the settlement agent my real estate agent recommends?
No. You are free to choose your own settlement agent, or a lawyer. Under the WA Code of Conduct, a real estate agent who recommends a settlement agent must not accept a commission for that recommendation.

The honest summary

Settlement agent fees in WA are set by each firm, and a straightforward seller settlement commonly sits around $800 to $1,500 in professional fees, plus government charges. The rules work in your favour: a written maximum before you sign, no increases without your written agreement, and conflicts disclosed upfront. Choose your own settlement agent, make sure they act only for you, and appoint them early.

If you are planning a sale and want a clear view of every cost from listing to settlement, I will put it in writing for you. Book a free appraisal, or grab the free seller's guide if you would rather read first.

This article is general information only and does not take your personal circumstances into account. Settlement agent fees in WA are not regulated and vary between firms, and government charges change from time to time. Always obtain a written quote with a stated maximum and read your appointment documents before you sign.