When selling a property in Australia, exposure is everything. The more people see your listing, the more likely you are to attract serious buyers and receive competitive offers. That’s why many sellers choose to advertise on realestate.com.au, the country’s most visited real estate website. But before you list, it’s essential to understand the advertising fees realestate.com.au charges — because they can vary significantly depending on how you go about it.
In this guide, we’ll break down how the advertising fees work, what factors affect the cost, and how you can save money by using cost-effective platforms like For Sale By Home Owner.
Why realestate.com.au Matters
Realestate.com.au dominates the Australian property search market. With millions of visitors every month, it’s the first place most buyers go when looking for a home. If you want to maximise exposure, it's almost essential to list your property there.
However, listing directly on realestate.com.au isn’t possible for private sellers. The site only allows licensed agents or approved online platforms to create listings — and that’s where the cost differences begin.
How Advertising Fees Are Structured
The advertising fees realestate.com.au charges depend on several key factors:
- Your Location
Properties in metropolitan areas like Sydney or Melbourne usually come with higher advertising fees than regional listings. This is due to the higher competition and market demand in city areas. - Listing Type
Realestate.com.au offers different tiers of listings. Each one provides a different level of exposure, affecting both cost and visibility. The three main types are:- Standard Listing – Basic exposure; your listing appears lower in search results.
- Highlight Listing – Mid-tier visibility; appears higher than Standard.
- Premiere Listing – Maximum exposure; your property appears at the top of search results and rotates through premium positions.
- Listing Duration
Some packages are time-based, while others are active until the property is sold. Longer durations or ongoing promotions usually mean higher costs.
Typical Costs to Expect
While fees vary, here’s a rough idea of what you might pay if you go through a traditional real estate agent:
- Standard Listing: $300 – $600
- Highlight Listing: $750 – $1,500
- Premiere Listing: $1,500 – $3,000+
These are just estimates. Some agents bundle these costs into their commission, while others charge them upfront as a separate marketing fee. It’s crucial to ask your agent exactly what’s included and whether the listing is time-limited or remains live until sold.
Can Private Sellers List on realestate.com.au?
As a private seller, you can’t list your property directly on realestate.com.au — but you can still access the platform through an authorised third party. That’s where For Sale By Home Owner comes in.
For Sale By Home Owner is an approved listing provider, allowing private sellers to advertise on realestate.com.au without using a traditional real estate agent. This gives you the same reach and exposure but at a fraction of the cost.
How For Sale By Home Owner Helps You Save
Instead of paying thousands in commissions and inflated advertising fees, For Sale By Home Owner offers cost-effective packages designed specifically for private sellers. Their packages include:
- Access to realestate.com.au and Domain
- Professional listing tools
- Optional photography and signboards
- No agent commissions or hidden fees
You can choose from different packages depending on how much exposure you want. This flexible approach puts you in control of your sale and helps you stick to your budget.
For example, For Sale By Home Owner offers realestate.com.au listings from as low as a few hundred dollars — significantly less than going through a traditional agent. Plus, you can upgrade your listing (e.g., to a Highlight or Premiere ad) if you want to boost visibility without overspending.
Are Premium Listings Worth It?
Paying for a Highlight or Premiere listing gives your property more prominence in search results. In competitive markets, this can be a smart strategy to stand out from the crowd and attract more enquiries.
However, not every property needs a premium listing. For lower-priced homes or in less competitive areas, a Standard listing may be enough to generate sufficient interest.
By using For Sale By Home Owner, you can assess your options and upgrade only if needed — saving you from overcommitting upfront.
Other Advertising Considerations
It’s important to remember that realestate.com.au advertising is just one part of your broader marketing strategy. You may also want to invest in:
- Professional photos (approx. $150–$500)
- Floorplans or virtual tours
- Signboards
- Social media marketing
The good news? For Sale By Home Owner allows you to choose which extras you need and skip the ones you don’t — keeping your overall costs low while still reaching a wide audience.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the advertising fees realestate.com.au charges is critical to managing your property sale effectively. While traditional agents often pass on these costs with little transparency, selling privately through For Sale By Home Owner puts you in control — and can save you thousands in the process.
Whether you want to keep things simple with a Standard listing or go all-in with a Premiere ad, For Sale By Home Owner gives you the tools and access you need to advertise like a pro without the commission price tag.
