For agents · Commission
Real estate agent commission splits in New Zealand — and what you actually keep.
A New Zealand agent's commission split is their agreed share of the commission paid to the agency. Compare that share with deductions and your own operating costs, not the headline percentage alone. At The Network, brand owners earn 85% on every sale; joining a brand means a rate you agree with the brand owner.
How it works
Vendor → agency → agent.
In New Zealand the vendor signs an agency agreement with the agency, and the commission is paid to that agency out of the sale proceeds at settlement. The salesperson is paid a share of it afterwards.
So there are three numbers that decide your income: the commission rate charged to the vendor, your split of that commission, and the fees your agency deducts. Two agents on identical sales volumes can take home very different amounts depending on the last one.
Calculator
Work out your take-home on a single sale.
You keep
$13,050
Same sale — brand owner at 85%, before own costs
$24,225
Difference: $11,175 on this one sale.
Figures are indicative only and exclude GST. Commission rates, splits and fees differ by agency and region — always confirm the numbers in writing before you sign. The Network comparison is for brand owners, before licence, PI insurance share, REINZ and portal share costs. Joining a brand means a rate you agree with the brand owner.
| Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sale price | $950,000 |
| Vendor commission at 3% | $28,500 |
| Illustrative 50% share | $14,250 |
| Illustrative fees deducted | $1,200 |
| Illustrative share after those fees | $13,050 |
| Network brand-owner share at 85%, before own costs | $24,225 |
The 50% and fees are calculator inputs, not a claim about any competitor. Licence, PI insurance share, REINZ and portal share are the agent’s own costs.
The checklist
Nine questions to ask before you accept a split.
- 01What is the split, and does it change with volume or tenure?
- 02What franchise or brand fee comes off before I'm paid?
- 03Is there a desk, office or admin fee — monthly or per sale?
- 04Who pays for CRM, website, signage and photography?
- 05Who funds vendor-paid marketing shortfalls if a listing doesn't sell?
- 06How are conjunctional sales split between salespeople?
- 07Who owns the database and the client relationships?
- 08Is there a restraint of trade if I leave, and how long?
- 09Can I see the split applied to three of my actual past sales?
The Network model
85% on every sale for brand owners.
No brand fee, no franchise fee, no royalties, no marketing levy. No admin fee today. Everything we provide is in the 15%; your licence, PI insurance share, REINZ and portal share are your own costs. We build, fund and hold the brand and license it exclusively to you. The business you build is yours, and you can sell it.
FAQ
Commission questions agents ask us.
How does a real estate agent commission split work in New Zealand?+
The vendor pays a commission to the agency, not to the agent. The agency then pays the salesperson an agreed share of that commission — the split. A 50/50 split means the agent receives half of the commission the agency collected on that sale, before any franchise fees, admin fees or desk costs the agency deducts.
What is deducted before an agent gets paid?+
It varies by agency. Common deductions are franchise or brand fees, an office or desk fee, admin and compliance charges, marketing contributions, CRM or software subscriptions, and sometimes a share of the office's advertising. Ask any agency for a written example on a real sale price before you sign.
What split does The Network pay?+
Brand owners earn 85% on every sale. Joining a brand means a rate you agree with the brand owner. No brand fee, no franchise fee, no royalties, no marketing levy. No admin fee today. Everything we provide is in the 15%; your licence, PI insurance share, REINZ and portal share are your own costs.
Is a higher split always better?+
Not on its own. A high split with heavy desk, marketing and software costs can pay less than a lower split with everything included. Compare take-home dollars on your actual annual volume, not headline percentages.
Do I keep my database if I change agency?+
That depends on your agreement. Check database rights and any restraint of trade before moving. At The Network: We build, fund and hold the brand and license it exclusively to you. The business you build is yours, and you can sell it.
Talk it through
Curious what your split could be?
A quick, confidential chat with Ben — no pitch, just straight answers.