Cost guide · Australia

Wills and estates lawyer fees in Australia

Costs for wills and estates work vary with complexity. A simple will is a very different job from administering a large estate or contesting a will. Here's how the costs are made up anywhere in Australia.

Updated October 2026

Know this first

A will is often a fixed fee. Every state's public trustee also prepares wills, so it's worth comparing their fees with a lawyer's.

How fees usually work

  • Wills and enduring powers of attorney are often charged as a fixed fee.
  • Applying for probate and administering an estate may be a fixed fee for simple estates, or charged on time for complex ones.
  • Contested estates are usually charged by the hour, and costs can be significant, so ask early about likely total costs.

Court fees and alternatives

Probate is granted by the Supreme Court in each state and territory, which charges filing fees. Each state also has a public trustee that prepares wills and administers estates: NSW Trustee and Guardian, State Trustees Victoria, the Public Trustee of Queensland, the Public Trustee of Western Australia, the Public Trustee of South Australia, the Public Trustee Tasmania, the ACT Public Trustee and Guardian, and the Public Trustee for the Northern Territory. It's worth comparing their fees with a lawyer's.

Your right to know the costs, state by state

Every Australian state and territory requires lawyers to tell clients about their costs, including an estimate, and gives clients a way to dispute a bill. The rules and the body that handles complaints depend on where your lawyer practises:

  • New South Wales: Legal Profession Uniform Law. Complaints: Office of the Legal Services Commissioner. Legal aid: Legal Aid NSW.
  • Victoria: Legal Profession Uniform Law. Complaints: Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner. Legal aid: Victoria Legal Aid.
  • Western Australia: Legal Profession Uniform Law (since 1 July 2022). Complaints: Legal Practice Board of Western Australia. Legal aid: Legal Aid WA.
  • Queensland: Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld). Complaints: Legal Services Commission. Legal aid: Legal Aid Queensland.
  • South Australia: Legal Practitioners Act 1981 (SA). Complaints: Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner. Legal aid: Legal Services Commission of South Australia.
  • Tasmania: Legal Profession Act 2007 (Tas). Complaints: Legal Profession Board of Tasmania. Legal aid: Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Legal Profession Act 2006 (ACT). Complaints: ACT Law Society. Legal aid: Legal Aid ACT.
  • Northern Territory: Legal Profession Act 2006 (NT). Complaints: Law Society Northern Territory. Legal aid: Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission.

Questions to ask first

  • Is this a fixed fee or hourly? If hourly, what is the rate and roughly how many hours do you expect?
  • What is included, and what would cost extra?
  • Which costs are disbursements or official fees, and roughly how much are they?
  • How often will I be billed, and can I get an update on costs as we go?

Free and low-cost help anywhere in Australia

  • Each state and territory has a legal aid commission, listed above, which gives free legal information and advice, and legal aid if you're eligible.
  • Community legal centres give free legal help across Australia.

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Sources

Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner: costs disclosure · Legal Services Commission (Qld): costs disclosure and costs agreements · Law Handbook (SA): costs disclosure · Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2022 (WA) · NSW OLSC: legal regulators in each state and territory · Attorney-General's Department: legal assistance services

General information only, not legal advice. Fees and rules change, so check the official sources and ask your lawyer for a written estimate. Lawmateanz is a directory, not a law firm.