Perth real estate agent fees are less standardised than most sellers expect. The "2.5% commission"figure you have probably heard is an industry convention, not a regulation. It varies between agencies and is open to negotiation. At Perth's current median of $842,000, a 2.5% commission is $21,050 before marketing costs.
Four models are available to Perth sellers: traditional commission-based agents, fixed-fee licensed agents, For Sale by Owner through a licensed agency, and private listing services. The cost difference between them is significant, and so are the differences in what each one covers.
How Commission Works in WA
Commission is a percentage of the final sale price, paid at settlement and deducted from the proceeds before you receive the balance. In Metro Perth, typical rates sit between 2.0% and 2.25%, though many agencies start at 2.5% and regional WA agents can quote up to 3.5%. There is no legislated rate. REIWA deliberately does not publish guidelines to avoid breaching competition law. The rate is set by the agency and open to negotiation.
On Perth's current median home price of $842,000, a 2.5% commission is around $21,050 before marketing. The central tension in this model: commission scales with your sale price, but the work involved in selling a $750,000 home is not materially different from selling a $1.5 million one.
Marketing Costs: The Separate Bill
realestate.com.au uses three listing tiers. Standard is the basic position, appearing wherever the algorithm places it in search results. Highlight adds a colour border and slightly higher placement. Premiere+ positions your listing at the top of suburb search results with the largest photo display and most prominent placement. Most buyers find properties on realestate.com.au, so the tier your listing sits on directly affects how many people see it.
Marketing is almost always charged separately from commission and paid upfront before your property goes live. Traditional agents typically bundle a Premiere+ listing into their marketing package, which alone can cost $2,000 or more depending on suburb and duration. That is a large part of why traditional marketing runs $3,000–$5,000. Private listing services list at the Standard tier, not Premiere+. KeyHive lists all properties at Premiere+, passed through at suburb-specific cost.
Traditional Agent
- Professional photography
- Premiere+ REA listing
- Signboard
- Social media posts
KeyHive Modern Agent
- Professional photography
- Premiere+ REA listing
- Signboard
- Legal documentation
KeyHive For Sale by Owner
- Professional photography
- Premiere+ REA listing
- Optional signboard
- You choose what to include
Total Cost at Every Price Point
Commission scales with your sale price. Every other model doesn't.
Comparison
| Sale Price | Traditional | Modern Agent | FSBO | Private Sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $12,500 + marketing | $8,000 + marketing | $0 + marketing | ~$1,200 |
| $750,000 | $18,750 + marketing | $8,000 + marketing | $0 + marketing | ~$1,200 |
| $1,000,000 | $25,000 + marketing | $8,000 + marketing | $0 + marketing | ~$1,200 |
| $1,500,000 | $37,500 + marketing | $8,000 + marketing | $0 + marketing | ~$1,200 |
| $2,000,000 | $50,000 + marketing | $8,000 + marketing | $0 + marketing | ~$1,200 |
Traditional: 2.5% commission plus $3,000+ marketing, paid separately. Modern Agent: $8,000 service fee plus ~$2,500 at-cost marketing. FSBO: at-cost marketing only, no service fee. Private Sale: private listing service plus basic photography. All figures approximate. Marketing varies by suburb and services chosen.
Four Ways to Sell in Perth
KeyHive offers two of these options: a full-service model where a licensed agent manages everything, and an owner-managed model where you run enquiries, home opens, and negotiations with a licensed agent available when you need one.
Traditional Agent
Full service: appraisal, marketing, home opens, negotiation, contracts, settlement. The most established model. Total cost scales with your sale price, and the commission structure doesn't always align with maximising your outcome. Read more on incentives.
KeyHive Modern Agent
Same licensed agent service: appraisal, marketing, unlimited home opens, negotiation, contracts, and settlement, for a flat fee regardless of your sale price. Marketing costs passed through at cost.
KeyHive For Sale by Owner
You manage enquiries, home opens, and offers. Your property lists on realestate.com.au as a Premiere+ listing through a licensed agent account. Pricing guidance, disclosure documents, and offer management are included. A licensed agent is available by phone when you need one. No service fee. Marketing costs are passed through at cost. See what is included.
Traditional FSBO
A private listing service puts your property online at the basic listing tier, not Premiere+. Some sellers also post directly to Facebook Marketplace and local Buy & Sell groups to reach nearby buyers at no cost. No agent backing, no professional support in either case. Pricing, enquiries, home opens, negotiation, contracts, and compliance are entirely on you.
FAQ
Can I list on realestate.com.au as a private seller?
Not directly. In Australia, private sellers cannot list on realestate.com.au without going through a licensed real estate agent. KeyHive's For Sale by Owner works around this. Your property is listed as a Premiere+ listing on realestate.com.au through KeyHive's agent account at suburb-specific cost (typically $1,000–$2,500). Private listing services offer a similar workaround for $400–$800 but list at the basic tier, not Premiere+, and without agent backing or professional support.
Is commission negotiable in WA?
Yes. Commission rates are not regulated in Western Australia. They are set by each agency and open to negotiation. Most agents start at their standard rate, but many will move if you ask. Fixed-fee services remove the rate negotiation entirely. The fee is set upfront regardless of sale price.
Are marketing costs included in the agent fee?
Rarely. Most traditional agents charge marketing separately on top of commission, typically $3,000–$5,000 in Perth, which often includes a Premiere+ listing on realestate.com.au. These are paid upfront before listing and are non-refundable if the property does not sell. KeyHive passes marketing through at cost with no markup.
What if my home doesn't sell?
Upfront marketing costs are generally non-refundable regardless of fee model. The photography and listing costs have already been delivered. Commission and service fees are only charged at settlement. No sale, no success fee.
Is GST included in the quoted fee?
Not always. Some agencies quote commission exclusive of GST, which adds 10% to the bill. Always ask for the GST-inclusive figure in writing before you sign.
Does the agency fee have to be in writing?
Yes. In Western Australia, the agreed fee — whether commission-based or a fixed amount — must be documented in the agency agreement and initialled by the seller before any work begins. This is a legal requirement. The agreement should also specify what marketing is included and whether those costs form part of the fee or are charged separately. If a fee is not confirmed in writing before you sign, do not proceed.
How do I tell a full-service fixed-fee agent from a listing-only service?
Ask what happens after you list. A listing-only service uploads your photos and walks away. A full-service fixed-fee agent handles pricing strategy, buyer enquiries, home opens, negotiations, contract preparation, and settlement. The same scope as a traditional agent. Get the service scope in writing, not just the fee.
What should I confirm before signing an agency agreement?
The total fee inclusive of GST. Exactly what marketing is included and what costs extra. Who specifically will be handling your property day-to-day. How many listings the agent is currently managing. And what the strategy is if you are not getting the offers you need.
Choosing the Right Model for Your Sale
The right model depends on how much of the process you want to manage yourself, and how your sale price compares to the point where commission becomes materially more expensive than a flat fee.
Whatever you choose, get the full cost in writing before you sign. Fee inclusive of GST, all marketing costs, what is included and what is not.
Questions? Talk to a licensed agent.
Call Lauren on 0404 997 851. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm AWST. No obligation.
Sources
Commission rates reflect typical Perth agency practice. For regulatory context, see the WA Department of Consumer Protection and REIWA.
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