ACCC Targets Real Estate Listing Contracts in Push to Lower Vendor Costs

September 14, 2026 - 02:09

The competition watchdog has raised concerns about the way realestate.com.au locks real estate agents into contracts, warning the practice could amount to anticompetitive behaviour. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says new rules for REA Group, the operator of the country's most visited property portal, may help bring down listing costs for people selling their homes.

At the centre of the issue is the way agents are tied to long term agreements with the platform. The ACCC argues these arrangements make it harder for rival services to compete, which in turn limits choice and keeps prices high. When agents cannot easily move between platforms, the costs they face are passed on to vendors through listing fees.

The proposed changes would give agents more freedom to work with multiple platforms and reduce the pressure to commit to lengthy deals. For homeowners, that could mean cheaper listings and a more level playing field among property advertising services.

REA Group holds a dominant position in the market, and its pricing power has long been a talking point among agents and sellers alike. The ACCC's scrutiny signals a willingness to challenge arrangements that entrench that dominance.

Industry observers say the outcome could reshape how properties are advertised online. If the rules take effect, vendors may finally see relief from some of the fees that eat into their sale proceeds.