Compare Agent Commission Quotes at the Same Sale Price

Short answer

Put each agent's commission into dollars at the same assumed sale price, then add the quoted marketing and other charges on a consistent GST basis. Repeat at a lower and higher price. A lower headline percentage does not necessarily produce a lower total bill.

Use the Property Selling Cost Calculator for the wider sale budget. For a tiered quote, first calculate the commission from the written terms; do not enter the lower tier rate as though it applies to the whole sale.

Start with a like-for-like quote sheet

Consumer Affairs Victoria's guide to selling with an agent explains that commission and marketing charges are negotiable and should be documented in the sales authority. It also warns that a commission scale can be interpreted differently by seller and agent. Ask for dollar examples before signing.

The budgeting method below can compare Australian quotes, but contract requirements differ by state and territory. The Victorian source does not establish the legal terms of an agreement elsewhere.

Do not treat a blank field as zero. Ask for a written amount or mark it unresolved. Keep service quality and the evidence supporting each agent's price estimate in a separate column; this cost exercise does not rank agents.

Worked example: flat rate versus marginal tiers

These are invented GST-inclusive quotes, not typical Australian rates or recommendations. Assume both cover the same services and have no minimum fee, bonus or other charge beyond those listed.

• Quote A: 2.2% of the full sale price, plus $3,000 marketing.
• Quote B: 1.8% on the first $800,000, plus 5% only on the portion above $800,000, plus $4,000 marketing.

The phrase only on the portion above matters. This example does not use 5% on the whole sale price once the threshold is crossed.

At $850,000, Quote B commission is $800,000 × 1.8% + $50,000 × 5% = $16,900. Adding $4,000 marketing gives $20,900.

At $900,000, B's lower starting rate no longer produces the lower total: B costs $600 more than A on the stated assumptions. A higher marginal rate changes the comparison as the assumed price rises.

These figures do not predict the sale price either agent would achieve. Comparing A at one agent's optimistic appraisal and B at another agent's conservative appraisal mixes two separate assumptions. Start with matching prices, then examine the supporting sales evidence separately.

Check whether a tier is marginal or applies to the full price

At $850,000, applying 5% to the entire price would produce $42,500 commission. Applying it only to the $50,000 above $800,000 produces the $16,900 total commission in Quote B.

Neither interpretation should be guessed from the words “tiered commission”. Ask the agent to show the calculation at a price below the threshold, at the threshold and above it. The $42,500 figure is a contrast between formulas, not an assertion that an agent has quoted that fee or that either arrangement is legally valid.

Keep costs separate from net sale proceeds

The table covers commission and marketing only. It leaves out conveyancing, preparation work, loan payout, settlement adjustments and any tax. Add confirmed costs once in the wider budget, including items already paid before settlement.

For example, at the $850,000 scenario, Quote A leaves $828,300 after the two quoted selling-cost items. That is $850,000 minus $21,700. It is not the cash available for a replacement home because the loan payout and other amounts have not been deducted.

Our home equity versus net sale proceeds guide explains that distinction. The conveyancing quote comparison worksheet helps organise the separate professional quote.

Questions before relying on a total

Does the quoted percentage include GST? Ask for confirmation and the dollar total. All worked figures here already include GST where applicable, so do not add it again.

What if the property does not sell? Obtain the charges and payment dates from the agreement. A sales commission arrangement does not, by itself, settle how advertising or other outgoings are treated.

Can the calculator handle every commission agreement? No. Reconcile the commission line with the written quote. A simple whole-price percentage may not represent marginal tiers, minimums or bonuses.

Does the cheaper quote identify the better agent? No. The comparison measures specified costs at matching prices, not service, achieved price or suitability.

Source and limitations

CAV guidance linked above checked 18 October 2026. All rates, prices and marketing amounts in the comparison are original hypothetical assumptions. No market-average fee or likely selling price is claimed.

General information only, not financial, legal, tax, credit or investment advice. Confirm the commission formula, GST, payment terms and scope in writing. Seek appropriately qualified advice about an agency agreement or dispute. This worksheet is not a quote, valuation or agent recommendation.

Last updated: 18 October 2026.