Buyers agent fees, in dollars
Property Brain charges a fixed fee for each engagement: $15,000 plus GST to buy one investment property, $25,000 plus GST for two, and $33,000 plus GST for three. The fee is the same whether the property costs $500,000 or $1.5 million.
What it costs
| Single | Dual | Portfolio Builder | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Properties bought | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Fee, plus GST | $15,000 | $25,000 | $33,000 |
| Fee, including GST | $16,500 | $27,500 | $36,300 |
| Against buying one at a time | $5,000 less | $12,000 less |
Cosmetic renovation is available as an add-on at $4,500 plus GST.
How to tell which one fits
It comes down to how many properties you plan to buy and over what time. If you're buying one investment and want to see how it goes, that's Single. If you already know you want two or three, and your lending can support them, Dual or Portfolio Builder costs less per property.
How many you can buy is usually decided by your borrowing, not by your budget for the fee. That's worth knowing before you choose: Money Brain, our sister business, can check it first.
What the fee doesn't cover
The fee is for Property Brain's service. The costs of buying the property itself are separate, including:
The deposit and the purchase price
Stamp duty (transfer duty)
Your solicitor or conveyancer
Renovation work, unless you take the add-on above
If you're unsure whether something is covered, ask before you sign.
Fixed fee or a percentage?
Some buyers agents charge a percentage of the purchase price instead, sometimes with an upfront retainer. At 2%, that would be $10,000 on a $500,000 property and $20,000 on a $1,000,000 one.
The difference that matters isn't only the amount. With a percentage, the agent earns more when you pay more, which sits awkwardly with their job of getting the price down. A fixed fee doesn't move with the price, so a better negotiation is all yours.
What the fee has to do to be worth paying
On a single purchase, the fee is $16,500 including GST. To be worth it, the agent has to save or earn you more than that: a lower price, a property that rents better or holds its value better, or a costly mistake avoided, such as a building problem or a street that's hard to rent.
It isn't worth it for everyone. If you know the area well, have time to inspect and negotiate yourself, and are comfortable at auction, you may do as well on your own. Property Brain will say so if that's you.
Are buyers agent fees tax deductible?
Usually not as a deduction against rent. The ATO lists the costs of buying a rental property among the expenses you can't claim; instead, they usually go into the property's cost base. An agent's fee is one of the costs the ATO says can be included there, and a higher cost base reduces any capital gains tax when you sell.
This is general information, not tax advice. How it applies to you is a question for your accountant.
Buyers agent fee questions
It depends on the agent and how they charge. Property Brain charges a fixed fee of $15,000 plus GST for one investment purchase, $25,000 plus GST for two and $33,000 plus GST for three (fees settled 26 August 2026). Other agents charge a percentage of the purchase price.
Ready to start a search?
Tell us what you want the property to do, your budget and your timing. We'll tell you which engagement fits, or whether you need one at all.
You'll hear back within the hour in business hours, and by 9am the next business day after hours.
Sources
- 1
Property Brain's fees: as settled by Darren Parker on 26 August 2026 and published on property-brain.com.au.
- 2
ATO, How to claim rental expenses (updated 23 July 2026), https://
www.ato.gov.au/ . Read 2 October 2026.individuals-and-families/ investments-and-assets/ property-and-land/ residential-rental-properties/ rental-expenses/ how-to-claim-rental-expenses - 3
ATO, Cost base of assets (updated 29 June 2026), https://
www.ato.gov.au/ . Read 2 October 2026.individuals-and-families/ investments-and-assets/ capital-gains-tax/ calculating-your-cgt/ cost-base-of-asset
Updated 2 October 2026