If you’ve ever sold a house, you’ll know the process can be as overwhelming as it is emotional.
Beyond the packing boxes and property inspections lies something that often catches Australians off guard—how much it actually costs to get your home on the market.
But what if one of the biggest factors behind those rising costs is a name that’s become almost synonymous with property itself?
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is investigating REA Group—the company behind realestate.com.au—to determine whether its pricing power is having broader impacts on the market.
The digital gatekeeper: Who is REA Group?
If you’ve searched for a home online in the past decade, chances are you’ve used realestate.com.au.
It is the leading portal for property listings in Australia and draws more than 12 million visitors each month.
Owned by News Corp, REA Group’s market value exceeds that of retail giant Coles, firmly placing it at the top of Australia’s real estate advertising market.
Its closest rival, Domain, holds only a fraction of the traffic, making REA the dominant force in digital listings.
This dominance is now attracting scrutiny, with concerns mounting about its influence over advertising prices and the property market at large.
Why is the ACCC investigating?
The ACCC’s inquiry follows an investigation by Guardian Australia, which revealed industry-wide concerns about REA Group’s dominance.
Agents and market challengers claim the company has used its position to increase advertising costs and restrict competition.
Figures show that the cost of listings on realestate.com.au and Domain has risen by approximately 30 per cent over just three years.
In Sydney and Melbourne, a premium property listing may now cost as much as $4,000—and that’s just for one platform.
With such listings offering the widest visibility, sellers often feel they have little choice but to pay the premium.
Agents have also voiced concerns about listings being prioritised based on payment levels, suggesting that visibility may depend more on how much is paid rather than the quality of the property or service.
A history of complaints and collective action
Concerns about REA Group’s practices are not new.
In 2016, a group of 170 real estate offices and franchisees sought ACCC permission to collectively negotiate with—or boycott—realestate.com.au and Domain.
They argued that the major portals were distorting market competition and charging disproportionately high fees.
At the time, former ACCC commissioner Rod Sims publicly remarked that such dominance warranted further examination under competition law.
What’s happening now?
REA Group has confirmed it is cooperating with the ACCC after receiving a formal request for information regarding some of its subscription services.
While the company has not disclosed specific details due to confidentiality, it maintains that it is working closely with the regulator.
The ACCC has stated that it is in the early stages of the review and no conclusions have yet been reached.
Its stated objective is to ensure strong competition within the real estate sector—a signal that current pricing structures may be under question.
What does this mean for you?
If you are over 50 and looking to downsize, move closer to family, or simply change your living arrangements, this investigation could have direct implications for you.
Higher advertising fees are often passed on to clients—either as upfront marketing costs or embedded in an agent’s commission.
Some agents may reduce their service levels to remain competitive, which may affect how your home is promoted and how quickly it sells.
Lisa Pennell, chief executive of Barry Plant, expressed concerns about the lack of competitive checks.
‘Competition is important in any industry. There is an inherent risk for any dominant player to lose sight of competitive forces and become insular in their attitude,’ she said.
Without fair market practices, sellers may find fewer options, higher fees and reduced quality in service.
Have your say
With an investigation now underway, many will be watching to see whether this leads to fairer practices across the property sector.
Have you sold a home recently and found the advertising fees unexpectedly high? Do you think the dominance of platforms like realestate.com.au benefits or harms everyday Australians? Have you considered or used alternatives?
We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below. Your insights help us better understand how the market is working for you.
Also read: Demand for energy efficient houses growing across Australia, Domain report finds
REA Group owned by NEWS Corp, of course they are pushing up prices…someone’s got to pay the lawyers for Ruperts’ court actions, against some of his kids!!