A buyer’s agent is a licensed real estate agent you appoint to find, assess and negotiate a property for you. In Queensland the rules for that appointment are set by the Property Occupations Act, which covers the licence, the form you sign, how fees are disclosed and how you end the arrangement.
This guide explains what a Gold Coast buyer’s agent does, when one is worth paying for, what it costs, and how to check an agent before you sign anything. It is general information, not legal or financial advice. Last checked against Queensland legislation and government guidance: October 2026.
What does a buyer’s agent do on the Gold Coast?
A buyer’s agent works for you, the buyer, and is paid by you. The Queensland Government’s guide to appointing a buyer’s agent[1] lists four jobs: finding suitable properties, negotiating with the seller, doing background checks on the property and area, and bidding for you at auction.
In practice a full service usually covers:
- The brief: budget, must-haves, target suburbs, timing and your finance position.
- Search and shortlist: listed properties, plus pre-market or private sales where agents offer them.
- Assessment: comparable sales, flood and planning checks, building and pest, and strata records for units.
- Negotiation or auction: a price range and a walk-away limit agreed with you before anyone makes an offer.
- Contract to settlement: working with your solicitor or conveyancer, lender and inspectors on the conditions and dates.
What a buyer’s agent doesn’t do matters too. They don’t replace your solicitor or conveyancer on the contract, your lender or broker on finance, or a licensed building inspector on the building itself. A good agent coordinates those people; it doesn’t stand in for them.
Why local knowledge matters here
The Gold Coast is a city of nearly 700,000 people, the second-largest local government area in Queensland after Brisbane, according to the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office[2]. It is also a set of very different markets: beachside streets, canal estates, high-rise apartments, new northern estates and hinterland acreage. A buyer’s agent should be able to talk about your target streets in detail, including:
- Flood exposure for the exact lot, not the suburb. Our Gold Coast flood maps guide shows how to check it.
- Body corporate health for apartments: sinking fund, levies, defects and upcoming special levies.
- Canal and waterfront issues, such as revetment walls and pontoons. See our canal and waterfront guide.
- Transport changes, such as light rail Stage 3 to Burleigh Heads, which opened on 9 August 2026[3], and the Coomera Connector[4] in the north.
Is a buyer’s agent worth it?
It depends on how much time, local knowledge and negotiating experience you already have. The fee is easiest to justify when the purchase is large, the market is competitive, or you can’t be on the ground yourself.
| Your situation | A buyer’s agent is more likely to help | You may not need one |
|---|---|---|
| Where you live | Interstate, overseas or far from your target suburbs | Local and able to inspect at short notice |
| Time | Working full time, with no spare weekends for opens and auctions | Flexible hours and happy to do the legwork |
| Experience | First purchase in Queensland, or first investment property | You have bought here before and know the process |
| Type of sale | Auctions, competitive private sales, off-market approaches | Quiet market, plenty of choice, little competition |
| Property | Apartments with complex strata, waterfront, flood-affected areas | A straightforward house in a suburb you know well |
| Budget | Higher price points, where a better price or avoided mistake outweighs the fee | Lower price points, where a fixed fee is a big share of the price |
For a deeper look at the trade-off, see is a buyer’s agent worth it?
How much does a Gold Coast buyer’s agent cost?
Most buyer’s agents charge either a fixed fee or a percentage of the purchase price. Finder[5] puts commissions at 1% to 3% of the price and flat fees from a few thousand dollars up to about $15,000 for most homes, more for premium property. Some agents also charge an engagement fee upfront, with the balance due when you buy. Aussie[6] gives a hybrid example of a $2,000 retainer followed by 1.5% at settlement. Auction-bidding-only and negotiation-only services cost less than a full search.
Queensland doesn’t cap what an agent can charge. The Office of Fair Trading says it does not set a limit on commission[7], but the commission must include GST and be stated in the appointment.
Fixed fee or percentage: a worked example
Take a $1.2 million house and compare the two models.
| Fee model | Fee on $1.2m | If the price ends up $1.3m |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed fee of $15,000 | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| 2% of the price | $24,000 | $26,000 |
| $2,000 retainer + 1.5% | $20,000 | $21,500 |
These are illustrations, not quotes. The point is that a percentage fee rises with the price you pay, while a fixed fee doesn’t, so a fixed fee keeps the agent’s pay separate from the price. Whatever the model, ask whether the quote includes GST and what happens to the fee if you don’t buy.
For how a buyer’s agent fee compares with what a seller pays their agent, see buyer’s agent vs selling agent costs.
How do you check a buyer’s agent is licensed in Queensland?
Search their name, and their agency’s name, on the Office of Fair Trading’s property licence register[8]. Under the Property Occupations Act 2014[9], buying property for others for a reward is licensed work, and acting without a licence is an offence.
When you search, check three things:
- The person or the business holds a real estate agent licence. A salesperson can do the work with a registration certificate, but only under a licensed agent who employs them.
- The licence is current, not expired, suspended or cancelled.
- The name matches the person and business on the appointment form you’re asked to sign.
Membership of an industry body, such as the Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia[10] (REBAA) or the REIQ, is voluntary. It can be a useful extra signal, but the legal requirement in Queensland is the licence.
What should the appointment form show before you sign?
In Queensland you appoint a buyer’s agent on Form 6, the same approved form[11] used to appoint a selling agent, with you named as the client. Form 6A is used for commercial property. The agent must give you a signed copy. Section 104 of the Act says the appointment must state:
- The services the agent will provide, and any limits or conditions on them.
- The fees, charges and any commission, how they’re worked out, and when each one becomes payable.
- The expenses the agent is authorised to spend on your behalf.
- Any rebate, discount, commission or benefit the agent may receive in connection with those expenses, with its source and estimated amount. This is Section 4 of the form.
- Whether it is a single or continuing appointment, and a recommendation to get independent legal advice.
An agent who isn’t properly appointed can’t sue for or keep a fee, and can recover no more than the amount stated in the appointment (sections 89 and 90).
When to pause before signing
- The fee section is vague, or says “to be agreed”.
- The agent mentions “partners” or a stock list of projects but won’t say in writing who else pays them.
- A fee is payable whether or not you buy, and the form doesn’t make that clear.
- You’re asked to sign before you have seen the whole form.
The Queensland Government suggests getting independent legal advice if anything in the form or the fees is unclear.
How to end the appointment
Either side can cancel the appointment by giving at least 30 days’ written notice, or less if you both agree in writing (section 114). If you appoint a second agent before the first appointment ends, the government guidance[1] warns that you could owe commission under both, or damages. End one properly before you start with another.
Who pays your buyer’s agent, and how do you spot a conflict?
You should be the only one paying. Section 99 of the Act says an agent must not act for more than one party to a transaction, and section 18 of the Property Occupations Regulation 2014 bars an agent from taking an appointment that puts their own interests in conflict with yours.
Conflicts are usually less obvious than an agent selling and buying the same house. Ask about:
- Developer or project commissions. A service that is free or very cheap to you may be paid for by developers whose stock it recommends.
- Referral fees from mortgage brokers, solicitors, builders or property managers they send you to.
- Selling-agent work. An agency that also lists homes for sale may steer you towards its own listings.
- Their own buying. If the agent also invests, ask how they decide who gets a property that suits both of you.
Section 4 of the appointment only has to show rebates connected with the expenses the agent incurs for you, so it won’t necessarily reveal a commission from a developer or seller. Ask the agent to confirm in writing that nobody else pays them anything connected with your purchase. Our guide to red flags when choosing a buyer’s agent covers more warning signs.
What should you ask in the first call?
A short first call should tell you whether the agent knows your target suburbs and how they work. Useful questions:
- Who pays you on this purchase, apart from me? Will you put that in writing?
- Which Gold Coast suburbs have you bought in over the last 12 months, and can you show me examples?
- Who will actually do my search, inspections and negotiation: you, or someone else?
- What is your fee in dollars on my budget, including GST, and when is each part payable?
- How do you find properties before they’re advertised, and what share of your purchases were off-market?
- What due diligence do you do before I make an offer, and which specialists do you use?
- How do you set a walk-away price, and will you tell me when not to buy?
- How do you handle auctions, and who registers to bid?
There are more in our questions to ask a buyer’s agent guide.
Do buyer’s agents really find off-market properties?
Sometimes. Off-market or pre-market sales happen when an owner wants privacy or a quick sale, or an agent wants to test a price before advertising. A buyer’s agent with good relationships with local selling agents hears about some of them. But no agent sees every off-market sale. Less competition doesn’t always mean a better price, and an off-market property still needs the same checks. Our off-market guide explains how these sales work.
Can a buyer’s agent bid at auction or buy for you from interstate?
Yes. Bidding at auction for you is one of the services the Queensland Government lists[1]. Anyone bidding has to register with the auctioneer first and show identification. Agree your limit in writing before auction day, because there is no cooling-off period[12] for an auction purchase.
For private sales, Queensland has a cooling-off period[13] of 5 business days. If you terminate in that time, the seller can keep 0.25% of the price.
Interstate and overseas buyers are where a local agent can help most. A good agent will do the inspections, send video walk-throughs and reports, and coordinate the solicitor, inspector and lender in Queensland. Ask how they report to you, and how quickly they can get to a property when a new listing comes up.
What happens after you hire one?
At Amassed the steps are the same as on our Gold Coast buyer’s agent page:
- Free consultation: a 30-minute call about your brief, budget, timing and target suburbs.
- Engagement: we recommend the right service, then confirm the scope and a fixed fee in writing before any work begins.
- Search and shortlist: listed opportunities and, where available, pre-market or private ones through agent relationships.
- Assessment and due diligence: every shortlisted property is checked for value, risk and suitability.
- Negotiation or auction: we set the strategy, advise on limits and represent you.
- Settlement support: through contract, conditions and settlement.
How long a search takes depends on the brief and the market. A clear brief, finance approval in place and realistic expectations on price shorten it more than anything else.
Who you’ll work with
Amassed is a licensed Queensland buyer’s agency led by founder Elijah Turkovic (left to right in the photo: Lachlan Hodgson, Scott Richards and Elijah). We act only for buyers, are paid only by the buyer, and confirm a fixed fee in writing before we start. You can read about the team on our about page, see recent purchases on our client results page, or book a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence check if the agent is a REBAA member?
Yes. REBAA membership is voluntary and isn’t a licence. Check the Queensland property licence register for both the agent and their business, whatever associations they belong to.
What form do I sign to appoint a buyer’s agent in Queensland?
Form 6 for residential property, or Form 6A for commercial property. It must set out the services, all fees and when they’re payable, the expenses the agent can incur, and any rebates the agent may receive on those expenses.
How much does a buyer’s agent cost on the Gold Coast?
Usually a fixed fee, or about 1% to 3% of the purchase price, sometimes with an upfront engagement fee. Queensland doesn’t cap fees, but the amount must include GST and be stated in the appointment form.
Can a buyer’s agent also be paid by the seller or a developer?
An agent must not act for more than one party to the same transaction, and must not take on a client if their own interests would conflict with the client’s. Ask the agent to confirm in writing that only you pay them.
Can I cancel a buyer’s agent agreement?
Yes. Either side can end it with at least 30 days’ written notice, or sooner if both agree in writing. Don’t appoint a new agent until the old appointment has ended, or you could owe two fees.
Is there a cooling-off period if my agent buys at auction?
No. Auction purchases in Queensland have no cooling-off period, so set your limit before the auction. Private treaty contracts have 5 business days, with a 0.25% penalty if you terminate.
Can I use a Gold Coast buyer’s agent if I live interstate?
Yes. A local agent is most useful when you can’t inspect properties yourself. The agent inspects on your behalf, sends video and reports, and works with your Queensland solicitor and lender.
Does a buyer’s agent replace a solicitor or building inspector?
No. Your solicitor or conveyancer handles the contract, and a licensed inspector reports on the building. A buyer’s agent coordinates them and uses their findings in the negotiation.
Sources and references
- ↑[1] Queensland Government: Appointing a real estate buyer’s agent — what a buyer’s agent does, Form 6, fees and ending the appointment.
- ↑[2] Queensland Government Statistician’s Office: Population growth, regional Queensland, 2024–25 — Gold Coast population of 691,230 at 30 June 2025.
- ↑[3] Queensland Government: Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 opens — the Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads extension opening in August 2026.
- ↑[4] Queensland Government: Coomera Connector Stage 1 — Stage 1 North opening in December 2025, jointly funded by the federal and Queensland governments.
- ↑[5] Finder: Buyer’s agent fees — typical fixed fees and 1% to 3% commissions, and the single-price rule.
- ↑[6] Aussie: How much does a buyer’s agent cost? — percentage, fixed and hybrid fee models.
- ↑[7] Queensland Office of Fair Trading: Charging commission — no cap on commission, GST included.
- ↑[8] Queensland Office of Fair Trading: Check a property licence — the public register of licensed agents and salespeople.
- ↑[9] Queensland Legislation: Property Occupations Act 2014 — licensing, appointments (s 104), fees (ss 89–90), acting for one party (s 99), revocation (s 114) and cooling-off (ss 159–168).
- ↑[10] REBAA: Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia — the national industry association for buyer’s agents.
- ↑[11] Queensland Government: Form 6 appointment of a real estate agent — the approved form, including Section 4 on rebates and benefits.
- ↑[12] Queensland Government: Buying at auction — bidder registration and no cooling-off at auction.
- ↑[13] Queensland Government: Cooling-off period — the 5 business day cooling-off period for private sales.
Elijah Turkovic is the founder of Amassed, a licensed buyer’s agent in Queensland (licence QPBL 4617660) and a member of the REIQ. He has spent more than 10 years in property, development and real estate, and lives in Broadbeach Waters on the Gold Coast.
He leads the team’s searches, due diligence and negotiations on home and investment purchases across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Amassed acts only for buyers and takes no commissions, referral fees or kickbacks from sellers, agents or the inspectors it recommends.
