Article Highlights
- Settlement agent fees in Perth typically range from $800 to $1,500, depending on whether you’re buying or selling and the complexity of your property transaction.
- Costs vary based on property type, value, and scope of work, with buyers generally paying more than sellers due to additional coordination requirements.
- Understanding the difference between professional fees, disbursements, and government charges helps you compare quotes accurately and avoid unexpected expenses.
There’s a point in every property journey when excitement gives way to a single, practical question: how much is this all going to cost me?
And somewhere near the bottom of that spreadsheet sits a line item called “settlement agent.”
For most people, it’s a bit of a mystery. The settlement agent is that quiet professional behind the scenes — the one who makes sure the home you’ve just fought so hard to buy, or finally decided to sell, actually changes hands. You rarely see them, yet their work holds the deal together.
If buying a property is a long flight, the settlement agent is the air traffic controller — watching every blip on the radar, guiding the paperwork, timing the handovers so that two parties land safely without collision.
But how much does a settlement agent cost? And why do settlement agent fees vary so much from one quote to another?
What you’re really paying for
A licensed settlement agent (or conveyancer) manages the legal and administrative steps that transfer ownership of a property from one person to another. They:
- Prepare, check, and lodge legal documents.
- Liaise with lenders, agents, and government authorities.
- Track key contract dates like finance approval and settlement day.
- Make sure every condition is ticked off before the property changes hands.
It sounds procedural — and it is — but beneath the process sits accountability. If something goes wrong, it’s the settlement agent who must untangle it. You’re paying for diligence, for time, for risk management. For someone to see the whole board when all you can see is your own square.
Why settlement agent fees vary
Buyer vs seller
Buying usually costs more. There’s more to chase, more to confirm, more to manage. The agent has to coordinate lenders, double-check titles, monitor inspections, and often help with first home buyer applications or rebates.
Selling tends to be simpler — mostly paperwork and mortgage discharge — though even that can take unexpected turns.
Property type
A patch of vacant land? Straightforward. A classic suburban home? Middle of the road.
But an off-the-plan apartment or a strata title property? That’s like conducting an orchestra. Developers, surveyors, lenders, shared ownership structures — the list of players grows, and with it, the cost.
Property value
Fees often move roughly in line with the property’s value. It’s not about “charging more because you’ve spent more” — it’s that property value loosely mirrors risk. Higher-value properties mean larger liabilities, stricter compliance, and more scrutiny.
Changes in scope
A good settlement agent will give you a clear quote up front. But property deals have a life of their own. A contract amendment, a finance delay, or a surprise easement can change the scope — and when it does, so can the cost. Rezzi’s quotes are transparent, but they also acknowledge reality: if the job grows, we’ll talk about it, not hide it.
Professional fees, disbursements, and government fees
Think of these as the three pockets of your settlement budget:
- Professional fees – the agent’s service cost.
- Disbursements – third-party expenses like title searches, certificates, and electronic lodgement fees.
- Government fees – stamp duty and Landgate registration fees, paid directly to the government.
What do settlement agents cost in 2025?
| Type of Settlement | Typical Range (2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Buyer settlement |
$950 – $1,500 |
More coordination: lenders, inspections, grants, and conditions. |
|
Seller settlement |
$800 – $1,200 |
Focused on document prep, discharge of mortgage, and title verification. |
|
Vacant land |
$750 – $1,100 |
Simpler, fewer moving parts, no inspections. |
|
Off-the-plan / strata |
$1,200 – $1,800 |
Complex, longer timelines, multiple stakeholders. |
These figures refer to professional fees. Disbursements and government fees are usually additional — and should always be itemised in your quote.
How to compare quotes (and not lose your mind doing it)
Comparing settlement quotes can feel like comparing apples to a fruit salad. Every property settlement agent slices their fees differently.
So, when you’re looking at that quote, ask:
- What’s included in the professional fee?
- What are the disbursements, and are they estimated or exact?
- What happens if the settlement is delayed or the contract changes?
- Is communication part of the service, or an afterthought?
A quote tells you the price. The conversation you have about that quote tells you the value.
Getting value from your settlement agent
Understanding how much settlement fees are and what influences property conveyancing fees in Western Australia helps you budget accurately and choose the right professional for your needs.
The right settlement agent won’t just tick boxes — they’ll guide you through the maze. You want someone who speaks human, not legalese. Someone who will tell you when something’s wrong and what it means for you, not just quietly fix it and send an invoice.
Look for:
- WA experience and licensing
- Straight answers and timely communication
- Transparent quotes that outline possible changes
- Genuine local knowledge and a reputation built on trust
Buying or selling property is one of life’s big transitions. The paperwork might be dry, but the stakes are personal.
The takeaway
In 2025, most settlement agent fees in Perth and across WA fall between $800 and $1,500, depending on the complexity of your property and whether you’re buying or selling.
Think of it as paying for calm — someone whose entire job is to keep a dozen moving parts in motion until, at the right moment, everything clicks into place.
That’s what good settlement feels like: order from chaos, certainty from confusion, and finally, the keys in your hand.
Local Perth conveyancing experts. Fixed pricing, no hidden fees.
