Introduction
Most Queensland sellers walk into their first agent meeting focused on sale price and barely think about costs of selling a house until the final settlement statement lands with surprises. This guide gives you the full itemised breakdown — commission, marketing, conveyancing, mortgage discharge, and the smaller line items most sellers forget. Numbers are current for 2026 and reflect what I see on real Springfield, Ipswich, and Greater Brisbane West transactions every week.
I’m Jinal Patel, Principal Agent at EquityMaxx. Let’s run through every cost you’ll face, with honest ranges rather than best-case estimates.
The Big Three Costs (90% Of Your Total Outlay)
1. Agent Commission
In Queensland, agent commission is fully negotiable — there is no fixed statutory rate. Typical ranges in 2026:
- Springfield and Ipswich suburbs: 2.2% to 2.75% of sale price plus GST.
- Brookwater, Augustine Heights and higher-end pockets: often 2.0% to 2.5% because sale prices are higher.
- Auction campaigns: sometimes structured as a lower base commission plus a bonus for exceeding a reserve price.
On a $650,000 Redbank Plains home at 2.5% + GST, commission works out to approximately $17,875 payable at settlement. Always get the commission structure in writing on your Form 6 (appointment of property agent) — Queensland’s Property Occupations Act requires clear fee disclosure.
2. Marketing Costs
Separate from commission. Paid upfront or at settlement depending on how your agent structures it. A typical Springfield Lakes marketing package includes:
| Item | Typical Cost | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Professional photography + floorplan | $500-$900 | Non-negotiable. Phone photos kill sale price. |
| Drone / aerial photos | $250-$450 | Essential for larger blocks and estate homes. |
| realestate.com.au premium listing | $1,200-$2,400 | Top placement. Standard listings get buried. |
| Domain premium listing | $500-$1,200 | Secondary portal but important for Sydney/Melbourne buyers relocating. |
| Signboard (printed + installed) | $180-$350 | Still generates enquiries, especially for family-home suburbs. |
| Social media campaign (Meta boost) | $300-$800 | Targets buyers moving from inner Brisbane or interstate. |
| Videography (walkthrough) | $400-$900 | Optional but high-impact for premium listings. |
| Typical total marketing package | $2,500-$4,500 | Scale to sale price. |
3. Conveyancing / Legal Fees
Your solicitor or conveyancer handles the contract, settlement, and all related paperwork. Expect $900-$1,800 in Springfield and Ipswich depending on complexity. Add approximately $200-$400 in search and disbursement fees. Body corporate records search (if strata) adds $100-$300.
Mortgage-Related Costs (If You Have A Loan)
- Mortgage discharge fee: $150-$400, paid to your lender at settlement to release the title.
- Break costs of selling a house on a fixed-rate loan: potentially significant — confirm with your lender before signing a contract of sale.
- Ongoing loan interest from exchange to settlement — usually 30-45 days; already accruing during this period.
Pre-Sale Costs (Before Listing)
- Pre-sale building and pest reports (optional but recommended): $450-$700. Providing upfront speeds negotiations and removes delay tactics.
- Minor repairs and presentation (paint, garden, clean): $1,000-$5,000 for most Springfield Lakes homes.
- Staging (partial or full): $1,500-$5,000 for a 4-6 week campaign; often returns 2-3x in sale price.
Smaller Items Most Sellers Forget
- Body corporate disclosure and certificate fees (strata only): $150-$400.
- Smoke alarm compliance upgrade (required at sale under 2022 QLD laws): $300-$800 depending on number of alarms needed. Covered in detail in our separate blog on smoke alarm compliance.
- Pool safety certificate (if applicable): $180-$350.
- Final council rates and water adjustment at settlement — you pay up to settlement date.
- Moving costs, end-of-lease cleaning at new rental (if renting between settlements), and utility disconnection fees.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
If the home you’re selling is your principal place of residence, you are generally exempt from CGT. If it’s an investment property or has been used to produce income at any point, CGT may apply on the proportional gain. This is an area where general information online is inadequate — get specific advice from your accountant before listing. I can recommend local accountants familiar with Queensland property sales.
Full Worked Example — $650,000 Redbank Plains Home
| Line Item | Estimated Cost |
| Agent commission (2.5% + GST) | $17,875 |
| Marketing package | $3,200 |
| Conveyancing + disbursements | $1,400 |
| Mortgage discharge fee | $300 |
| Smoke alarm compliance upgrade | $550 |
| Pre-sale presentation (paint, clean, garden) | $2,800 |
| Building and pest report (pre-sale) | $550 |
| Total selling costs | ~$26,675 (4.1% of sale price) |
Net proceeds from sale (before loan payout): $650,000 − $26,675 = approximately $623,325. Subtract your remaining mortgage balance to calculate actual funds to your account at settlement.
How To Reduce Your Costs of Selling a House
- Negotiate commission — agents in Springfield and Ipswich compete hard; 0.25-0.5% is often available if you ask clearly.
- Scale marketing to price point — a $500k home doesn’t need a $4,500 marketing package. Your agent should tailor this.
- Get two or three conveyancing quotes — fees vary by $300-$600 for identical work.
- Front-load presentation work yourself — your time and effort on painting, gardening, and decluttering replaces paid services.
- Avoid ‘marketing packages’ with hidden upsells — ask for an itemised list before signing your Form
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What percentage of sale price do selling costs usually take in Queensland?
A: Typical total costs of selling A House are 3-5% of sale price. For a $650,000 home in Redbank Plains or Springfield Lakes, that’s roughly $20,000-$32,000 covering commission, marketing, conveyancing, and minor pre-sale costs.
Q: What is the average agent commission in Ipswich and Springfield?
A: Commission is negotiable in Queensland and typically lands between 2.2% and 2.75% plus GST in Ipswich, Springfield Lakes, and surrounding suburbs. Higher-value suburbs like Brookwater often see slightly lower percentage rates because the dollar amount is already significant.
Q: Do I pay GST on real estate agent commission?
A: Yes. GST of 10% applies to agent commission and most professional selling services in Australia. Always confirm whether quoted commission percentages are inclusive or exclusive of GST before signing.
Q: Who pays conveyancing fees when selling a house?
A: Each party pays their own conveyancer. As the seller, you pay for the drafting of the contract of sale, handling title transfer, and managing settlement. Expect $900-$1,800 in the Springfield and Ipswich region.
Q: Can I sell my Queensland home without paying agent commission?
A: Yes, by selling privately (FSBO) or using a flat-fee service. You save commission but take on marketing, negotiation, legal compliance, and inspections yourself. For most sellers, the time cost and risk of a lower final price outweigh the commission savings.
Q: Is there stamp duty when selling a house in Queensland?
A: No. Stamp duty (transfer duty) is paid by the buyer, not the seller. As a seller, you pay commission, marketing, conveyancing, and mortgage discharge fees — but not stamp duty.
