Buyer's Agent Fees & Costs: Australian Buyer Guide
Compare the total fee, payment stages and included services before appointing a buyer’s agent. Compare evidence and licensed buyer support.
The short answer
Buyer's agent fees are usually a fixed fee, a percentage of the purchase price or a mix with an engagement fee. Compare what is included, when payment is due and any refund terms. Shelby helps you compare buyer-side support, and representation is agreed directly with a licensed professional.
Compare pricing structures
Ask whether the fee is fixed, percentage-based or specific to a service. Obtain a clear total and understand how the purchase price or scope might change the amount payable.
Understand when payment is due
Review engagement payments, success payments, external costs and the consequences of pausing or ending the search. Clarify what happens if you buy a property you found yourself.
Compare value through scope
Compare quotes against the same tasks, search area and service endpoint. A lower price may cover fewer tasks; a higher price is not evidence of better results.
Your next step
Bring your location, budget, timing and the decision you need help with. Confirm service availability and the scope of work before appointing representation.
Questions to ask before engaging anyone
Most buyers compare buyer's agents on fees alone. The better test is who actually does the work, how conflicts are handled and what happens if no property is bought.
- Licence number and the state it covers
- Exactly what is included and how fees are calculated
- Whether they accept any payment from sellers or selling agents
- Who inspects, negotiates and bids, and how you approve decisions
- Termination and refund terms
How Shelby fits into your purchase
Shelby is a research and matching platform, not a licensed agency. You can use the Ask Shelby chat on this page to turn your goals for your purchase into a written brief, run the calculators and compare buyer-side support. When you want representation, the engagement is agreed directly with a licensed professional whose coverage, fees and conflicts are confirmed for your brief first.
- Discover: set budget, location and property type
- Plan: test borrowing, stamp duty and holding costs
- Match: compare licensed buyer-side support
- Buy: inspect, negotiate and settle with your advisers
Common mistakes buyers make
Many buyers set a price from listing portals, skip independent inspections to win a competitive campaign, or let a deadline override the brief. Each one shifts risk onto you. Keep a written ceiling, complete inspections before you are bound and walk away when the evidence does not support the price.
Frequently asked questions
What does Shelby charge?
Request an itemised proposal for your buying brief. Publish an approved price table only when Shelby has confirmed current fees, inclusions, tax treatment and payment triggers.
What should I prepare before enquiring?
Share the target location, total budget, timeframe and any property already under consideration. Include the specific decision or uncertainty you want help with.
How do I confirm the service and fee?
Ask for a written scope identifying the work, responsible representative, fee, payment stages and any separately appointed professionals.
Who pays a buyer's agent?
The buyer pays the buyer's agent under a written agreement. A buyer's agent should not receive payment from the seller; ask them to confirm in writing that they accept no seller-side commissions or referral fees.