Settlement Agent Fees in Perth: What You’ll Actually Pay to Sell or Buy a Home
- Most Perth sellers pay $1,200 to $2,200 in settlement agent fees; buyers $1,500 to $2,500.
- In WA, “settlement agent” and “conveyancer” mean the same thing, and you don’t need a solicitor.
- Professional fees are separate from disbursements (third-party costs like Landgate and PEXA).
- Fees are usually paid at settlement, deducted from sale proceeds or purchase funds.
- The professional fee is one of the few genuinely negotiable transaction costs.
- Always get a written, itemised quote before appointing a settlement agent.
If you are selling or buying a home in Perth, settlement agent fees are one of those costs that tend to catch people off guard. They are not hidden exactly, but they are rarely explained upfront. This guide breaks down what you will actually pay, what the fee covers, and how to make sure you are not overpaying for a service that is largely the same from one provider to the next.
The short answer: most Perth sellers pay between $1,200 and $2,200 in settlement agent fees, and buyers typically pay between $1,500 and $2,500, depending on the complexity of the transaction. Those figures exclude disbursements (the third-party costs your agent pays on your behalf), which we will cover in detail below.
Settlement Agent vs. Conveyancer: Is There a Difference in WA?
In Western Australia, the terms “settlement agent” and “conveyancer” are used interchangeably. Unlike some eastern states where conveyancing is performed exclusively by solicitors, WA has a dedicated licensing regime for settlement agents under the Settlement Agents Act 1981. A licensed settlement agent in Perth can legally handle the full transfer of property title without a solicitor being involved.
You do not need a lawyer to buy or sell a home in Western Australia. A qualified settlement agent is the standard, legally recognised professional for residential property transactions in this state.
What Does a Settlement Agent Actually Do?
Before looking at the numbers, it helps to understand exactly what you are paying for. A settlement agent manages the legal and administrative process of transferring property ownership from one party to another.
Their responsibilities typically include:
- Preparing and reviewing the Contract of Sale
- Conducting title searches and verifying encumbrances
- Liaising with banks and financiers to manage discharge and registration of mortgages
- Calculating adjustments for council rates, water rates, and strata levies
- Lodging documents with Landgate (WA’s land titles authority)
- Coordinating the settlement date and confirming funds transfer
For sellers, the process is somewhat simpler. For buyers, particularly those with finance, there is more coordination involved between the settlement agent, the lender, and Landgate’s electronic lodgment system.
What Are the Typical Settlement Agent Fees in Perth?
Perth settlement agents generally quote their fees in one of two ways: a fixed professional fee, or a tiered fee based on the property’s purchase price. Here is what typical fee structures look like in 2024 and 2025.
Professional Fees (the base charge)
These professional fees cover the settlement agent’s time and expertise. They do not include disbursements, which are additional and largely non-negotiable because they are set by government bodies and third-party service providers.
Disbursements (Third-Party Costs)
Disbursements are the out-of-pocket expenses your settlement agent incurs on your behalf. They vary depending on whether you are buying or selling, and whether finance is involved.
Common disbursements include:
On a typical $900,000 purchase with finance, total disbursements commonly land between $900 and $1,400. Combined with the professional fee, a buyer in this price bracket might realistically budget $2,400 to $3,900 in total settlement costs.
When Are Settlement Agent Fees Paid?
This is a question that confuses a lot of buyers and sellers. Settlement agent fees are generally paid at settlement, not upfront. Your agent will typically provide a final settlement statement a few days before your settlement date, outlining all amounts due.
For buyers, the fee is usually deducted from the funds being transferred at settlement. For sellers, the fee is deducted from the sale proceeds before the balance is released to you or your lender.
Some agents charge a small upfront administration or file-opening fee, typically around $100 to $200. This is worth clarifying when you receive your quote.
What Affects the Cost of Settlement in Perth?
Not all property transactions are equally straightforward. Several factors can push your settlement costs toward the higher end of the range.
Do Settlement Agent Fees Differ Across Perth Suburbs?
The professional fee itself does not usually vary based on suburb. However, the disbursements required can differ. Properties in certain strata schemes or with water frontage, easements, or heritage overlays may require additional searches that add to your total.
For buyers and sellers in Perth’s northern coastal corridor, including Hillarys, Mullaloo, Kallaroo, Ocean Reef, and Padbury, the majority of transactions are straightforward residential sales on green title lots. This means you are unlikely to encounter unusual disbursements unless the property has a particular complexity.
How Do Settlement Fees Compare to Your Other Selling Costs?
Settlement agent fees are a relatively minor cost within the full picture of selling a home in Perth. To put them in context, here is where they sit alongside other common selling expenses.
- Agent commission: typically 2% to 2.75% of the sale price (on a $900,000 home, that is $18,000 to $24,750)
- Settlement agent fees (seller): approximately $1,200 to $2,200 plus disbursements
- Marketing costs: $2,000 to $6,000 depending on campaign scope
- Pre-sale preparation: variable; building inspections, styling, minor repairs
For buyers, settlement costs sit alongside stamp duty (which is substantially larger), loan establishment fees, and building and pest inspection costs. If you have not yet calculated your stamp duty liability, our stamp duty calculator gives you an accurate, up-to-date figure for WA.
Related → How Much Do Real Estate Agents Charge | How Is Stamp Duty Calculated in WA
What to Ask Before Appointing a Settlement Agent in Perth
Before you sign an authority with any settlement agent, these are the questions worth asking:
- Is the quoted fee a fixed price or an estimate?
- What disbursements are included in the quote versus charged separately?
- Is there a fee for concurrent settlement if I am buying and selling at the same time?
- Who will be managing my file day to day?
- What is the process if settlement is delayed?
Important: Getting a written, itemised quote from two or three agents takes less than 30 minutes and can save you several hundred dollars.
The professional fee is one of the few transaction costs that is genuinely negotiable, particularly on straightforward residential sales.
Related → Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent | How to Sell a Property
How Your Real Estate Agent and Settlement Agent Work Together
Your settlement agent and your real estate agent are separate professionals with distinct roles, but the way they communicate (or fail to) has a direct impact on your experience. A settlement agent handles the legal title transfer; your real estate agent manages the sale negotiation and contract execution.
The key link between them is the contract. Once a Contract of Sale is signed, your agent forwards the executed documents to your nominated settlement agent, who then takes ownership of the process from a legal and financial coordination standpoint.
At Listed Estate Agents, Jonathan and Paula Alsford manage every sale file directly. That means when your settlement agent needs a clarification on contract conditions, special conditions, or deposit details, they reach the decision-maker immediately rather than being routed through a junior team member or a call centre. It is a small thing that prevents large delays.
If you are preparing to sell a home in Hillarys, Mullaloo, Kallaroo, or the surrounding northern suburbs, you can request a property appraisal or learn more about how The Listed Sale works. For buyers who want to understand the full cost picture including finance options, speak with our finance broker through The Full Picture mortgage broking service, which accesses approximately 30 lenders to help structure your purchase correctly from the outset.
A Realistic Cost Summary for Perth Buyers and Sellers
To bring this together clearly, here is a realistic total settlement cost estimate for a standard residential transaction in Perth’s northern suburbs in 2025.
Seller on a $900,000 property
Settlement agent professional fee: $1,400 to $2,000
Disbursements: $400 to $700
Total settlement cost: approximately $1,800 to $2,700
Buyer on a $900,000 property with finance
Settlement agent professional fee: $1,600 to $2,200
Disbursements: $900 to $1,400
Total settlement cost: approximately $2,500 to $3,600
(Stamp duty is separate and calculated on the purchase price)
These figures are indicative. Your actual costs will depend on your specific circumstances, the agent you appoint, and any complexities in the title or financing. Always request a written quote before appointing anyone.
Listed Estate Agents operates across Perth’s northern coastal suburbs including Hillarys, Mullaloo, Kallaroo, Ocean Reef, and Padbury. For questions about the selling process or a no-obligation appraisal of your property, contact Jonathan or Paula directly at listedea.com.au.
