Selling Without a Real Estate Agent in Australia — Private Sale Guide (2026)
Selling your home without a real estate agent — often called a “private sale” or FSBO (For Sale By Owner) — is legal in Australia. The potential saving is significant: on a $900,000 property, a 2% commission is $18,000. But selling without professional representation requires more vendor involvement and carries its own risks.
Is It Legal to Sell Without an Agent?
Yes. In all Australian states and territories, a property owner can sell their own property without using a licensed real estate agent. You still need a licensed conveyancer or solicitor to handle the legal components (contract of sale, settlement).
The key distinction: you cannot act as an agent for someone else’s property without a real estate agent’s licence — but you can legally sell your own property.
What You Still Need (Legal Requirements)
| Item | Required | Who provides it |
|---|---|---|
| Contract of sale | Yes (all states) | Licensed conveyancer or solicitor |
| Vendor’s statement (s32) — VIC | Yes (VIC) | Licensed conveyancer or solicitor |
| Section 10.7 planning certificate — NSW | Yes (NSW, attached to contract) | Local council; arranged by conveyancer |
| Conveyancer / solicitor for settlement | Yes | Licensed conveyancer |
| Building and pest inspection (pre-sale) | No (optional but recommended) | Building inspector |
How to Sell Privately in Australia
Step 1: Engage a conveyancer first The contract of sale must be prepared before marketing the property (most states). A conveyancer prepares this document, conducts title searches, and manages settlement.
Step 2: Research the market yourself Review comparable sales on realestate.com.au, Domain, and CoreLogic. What have similar properties sold for recently in your suburb?
Step 3: List on a private sale platform Individuals cannot list directly on realestate.com.au or Domain — only licensed agents can list on these portals. However, several platforms exist specifically for private sellers that provide access to these portals for a flat fee:
- For Sale By Owner (forsalebyowner.com.au)
- Purplebricks Australia (agent-assisted low-commission model)
- Private Property (privateproperty.com.au)
- List My Property
These platforms charge a flat fee ($1,000–$3,500 typically) and submit your listing to realestate.com.au and Domain on your behalf.
Step 4: Conduct your own inspections You manage enquiries, show buyers through the property, and negotiate directly. This requires time and availability.
Step 5: Negotiate and exchange Once you agree on price and terms, your conveyancer prepares the exchange documents.
Costs — Private Sale vs Using an Agent
| Cost item | Private sale | Agent-assisted |
|---|---|---|
| Listing platform fee | $1,000–$3,500 | Included in commission |
| Photography | $500–$1,500 | May be included |
| Signage | $200–$500 | Included |
| Agent commission | $0 | 1.5–2.5% of sale price |
| Conveyancing | $1,000–$2,500 | $1,000–$2,500 |
| Your time | High | Lower |
Potential saving on a $900,000 property: $13,000–$18,000 (comparing 1.5–2% commission against private sale total costs).
Risks and Challenges
Pricing accuracy: Without market knowledge and access to real-time comparable sales data, private sellers sometimes underprice or overprice. Underpricing costs more than the commission saved.
Negotiation: Experienced buyers and their buyer’s agents negotiate daily. Private sellers may not be skilled negotiators or may be emotionally attached to the property.
Legal exposure: Any misrepresentation in the contract or marketing (even inadvertent) carries legal risk. A good conveyancer protects you here.
Time commitment: Managing enquiries, open homes, and negotiations is substantial — particularly if you are working full-time.
Limited access to some buyer pools: Some buyer’s agents advise their clients to focus on agent-listed properties. However, the main portals reach most active buyers.
When Private Sale Makes Most Sense
| Situation | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Strong sellers market with high buyer demand | Good — buyers come to you |
| Simple, well-presented property | Good |
| You know potential buyers directly | Excellent (no portal listing needed) |
| Unique or rare property with motivated buyers | Can work |
| Complex negotiation or auction-preferred market | Less suitable |
| You don’t have time to manage enquiries | Not recommended |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still list on realestate.com.au without an agent?
Individuals cannot list directly — only licensed real estate agents can list on realestate.com.au. However, private sale platforms (like For Sale By Owner) are licensed agencies that list your property on the portal for a flat fee without charging commission.
What about selling at private auction?
You can engage a licensed auctioneer to conduct an auction on your behalf (without a selling agent). This is a niche option — the auctioneer charges a flat fee for their service.
Do I need an agent to exchange contracts?
No — your conveyancer handles the legal exchange process. You do not need an agent present.
Related Selling Guides
- Real Estate Agent Fees and Commissions Australia
- How to Sell a House in Australia — Step-by-Step Guide
- Private Sale vs Selling at Auction — Which Gets a Better Price?
- Selling Your Home Hub
This article provides general information about private property sales in Australia. Legal requirements vary by state. Always engage a licensed conveyancer for the contract and settlement process. Find one through MoneySmart.