Fees and commission
Real estate agent fees and commission in Cairns
Real estate agents in Cairns charge commission as a percentage of the sale price, averaging 2.60% according to OpenAgent (October 2026), and marketing is often charged separately.
How much commission do real estate agents charge in Cairns?
OpenAgent puts the average Cairns commission at 2.60% of the sale price. (OpenAgent, Cairns real estate agents, October 2026)
For Queensland as a whole, PropertyNow puts the median near 2.8%, and says some regional towns reach 3.5% or more. (PropertyNow, Real estate agent commission by state, updated 16 October 2026) Both are commercial services: OpenAgent earns fees from agents, and PropertyNow sells private-sale packages. Treat their figures as a guide, not a price list.
Commission is not set by law. The rate, any other costs and when each is payable are written in the appointment form you sign. (Queensland Government, Appointing a real estate agent, updated 19 July 2024) Tony’s fees depend on the property and the situation, because every sale is different; he explains them at the appraisal.
What does it cost to sell a house in Cairns?
Here is a worked example on a house at the Cairns median price reported by OpenAgent, at the average commission rate.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sale price (Cairns median house price) | $730,000 |
| Commission at 2.60% | $18,980 |
| Marketing (photos, portal listings, signboard) | Varies; ask for a written budget |
| Conveyancing or solicitor | Varies; get a quote |
Check whether the quoted commission includes GST.
What marketing costs will I pay?
Marketing usually covers professional photos, floor plans, listings on the main property portals, a signboard and sometimes video or social media ads. Many Cairns sellers pay these up front, whether or not the property sells. Ask for an itemised budget and agree on it before you sign.
What other costs come with selling a house?
- Conveyancing or legal fees, including preparing the seller disclosure statement now required in Queensland
- Your lender’s discharge fee, if you have a mortgage
- A pool safety certificate, if the property has a pool
- Smoke alarm upgrades to meet Queensland rules
- Repairs, cleaning or styling before you list
- Capital gains tax, if the property is not your main residence (ask your accountant)
Can I negotiate commission?
Yes. Commission is a matter of agreement between you and the agent. Ways to negotiate:
- Get written proposals from two or three agents and compare the total cost, not only the rate.
- Ask about a fixed fee instead of a percentage.
- Ask for a tiered rate: a higher percentage only on the amount above a target price.
- Check what is included in the marketing budget, and what is optional.
A lower fee is not always cheaper. A few thousand dollars saved on commission is easily lost if the house sells for less. Ask each agent for their recent sales and how close they came to their price guide.
Want to know what your property is worth before you compare agents? Request a free appraisal from Tony Williamson.
Last updated 3 November 2026
Free appraisal
Request a free appraisal from Tony Williamson
Tony will tell you what he expects your property to sell for, and what he charges, before you sign anything.
More questions about fees
Do I pay commission if my house doesn’t sell?
Under a standard sole agency appointment, commission is usually payable only when the property sells. Marketing costs are often payable whether or not it sells. Check your appointment form.
Is GST included in the commission rate?
Not always. Ask the agent whether the rate they quote includes GST, and check the figure written in the appointment form.