What Does It Cost to Sell a House in WA?

In Western Australia, the main cost of selling a house is agent commission, which typically runs between 2.3% and 2.7% plus GST, with some inner-suburb sales coming in below 2%. On top of that you have marketing, a settlement agent, and any preparation work. On a $1 million Perth sale, commission alone is usually somewhere between $23,000 and $27,000 plus GST.

That is the short answer. The longer answer matters, because the headline percentage is rarely the whole number, and the difference between a well-run sale and a poorly run one is almost always larger than the fee itself.

The four costs of selling a home in WA

1. Agent commission

This is the largest single cost. In Perth, commission generally sits between 2.3% and 2.7% plus GST. Suburbs closer to the city sometimes come in below 2%, because higher sale prices mean the same dollar return on a smaller percentage. Regional and outer-metropolitan properties usually attract a higher rate.

Western Australia does not set or cap commission. It is negotiable, and it should be agreed in writing before you sign anything.

One caution worth naming. The cheapest commission is not automatically the best outcome. A one percent difference on a million dollar sale is $10,000. An agent who negotiates poorly, or who prices your home badly and lets it sit, can cost you far more than that in the final sale price. Judge the fee against the result, not on its own.

2. Marketing

Photography, floor plans, portal listings, signboards and any video or social advertising. In Perth this is usually paid by the seller, either upfront or deducted at settlement.

Marketing spend is one of the few costs where paying more can genuinely return more, because presentation drives the number of buyers who inspect. But it is also where sellers are most often oversold. Ask what each item costs individually, and ask what it is expected to achieve.

3. Settlement agent or conveyancer

In WA, a licensed settlement agent handles the legal transfer. This is a fixed professional fee rather than a percentage, plus disbursements for title searches, rates enquiries and similar. It is a modest cost relative to the others, and it is worth choosing on competence rather than price.

4. Preparation

Styling, repairs, gardening, cleaning and occasionally minor renovation. This is the most variable cost and the most misunderstood. Presentation and targeted repairs almost always return more than they cost. Full renovations frequently do not.

A worked example

Perth's median dwelling value passed $1 million in March 2026, up around 24% over the year. So take a $1,000,000 sale as a realistic illustration:

• Commission at 2.5% plus GST: $25,000 plus GST
• Marketing: varies significantly by campaign, agreed in advance
• Settlement agent: a fixed professional fee plus disbursements
• Preparation: entirely dependent on the property's condition

The reason I have not put a single total on this is that the last three vary enormously between properties, and any agent quoting you a precise all-in figure without seeing your home is guessing. What you should insist on is a written breakdown of every line before you commit.

What actually reduces your cost

Three things, in order of impact:

Price it correctly from the start. Overpricing is the most expensive mistake in real estate. A home that launches too high sits, goes stale, and then sells below where it would have if it had been priced properly on day one. Ask any agent to show you the comparable sales their price guide is built on. If they cannot, that is your answer.

Prepare before you list, not during. Sellers who achieve premium results typically start preparing two to three months before listing. Rushing preparation compresses your options and usually costs more.

Spend on presentation, not renovation. Styling, decluttering, professional photography and targeted repairs. Not a new kitchen three weeks before launch.

Questions sellers ask about costs

Do I pay commission if my house does not sell?

No. Agent commission in WA is paid on a successful sale, at settlement. Marketing costs, however, are usually payable regardless of whether the property sells, so clarify that specifically before signing.

Is commission negotiable in Western Australia?

Yes. There is no regulated rate in WA. Commission is a commercial agreement between you and the agent, and it should be set out in writing in the selling agency agreement.

When do I actually pay these costs?

Commission and most marketing costs are typically deducted from the sale proceeds at settlement, so you are rarely out of pocket upfront. Preparation costs are the exception and are usually paid as you go.

What is the biggest hidden cost of selling?

Time on market. A property that takes months longer than it should carries holding costs, and its price expectation usually drops. That cost never appears on any invoice, which is exactly why it gets ignored.

The honest summary

Budget for commission between 2.3% and 2.7% plus GST as your primary cost, get marketing and settlement fees quoted in writing, and treat preparation as an investment with a return rather than an expense. Then judge any agent on whether their process is likely to produce a better net result, not on whether their fee is the lowest.

If you would like a straight assessment of what your home is worth today and what would be worth doing before you sell, I offer a free, no-obligation appraisal with the comparable sales attached. You can also download the free Perth Property Guide, which covers pricing, styling and marketing in more detail.

General information only. This content is not financial or legal advice. Costs vary by property, campaign and agent, and you should obtain written quotes specific to your situation.