Auction Buyer Fees Comparison – Pickles-Manhiem-Slattery & Major Auctions Houses Compared
Buyer fees at auctions in Australia (vehicles, general goods, industrial, salvage, etc.) are often quite substantial and something you must be well aware of when bidding on a budget. On this page, we break those down a little more and, as a general guide, provide a table of fees for the top auction houses and popular categories (last checked September 2026).
Generally, an auctioneer will charge a buyer fee, sometimes called a buyer’s premium or processing fee, which is added to the final hammer price. The rate of that fee can vary from auctioneer to auctioneer, from category to category within an auctioneer’s platform, and even from item to item. It is something you must check on the listing of the actual item you are bidding on.
Some sales have a flat fee, some charge a percentage of the final price, and some use a sliding scale that combines the two.
Additional Costs to Factor In
They are not done yet. Most auctioneers also charge a card processing surcharge, which typically ranges from around 0.4% to about 1.2% depending on the auctioneer and payment method (for example, Manheim lists 0.4% on credit cards, Lloyds 0.75%, and IAA Australia 1.16% on credit and 0.52% on debit). Bank transfer (EFT) is normally free, or at least the lowest cost, but check in advance.
Auctioneers may also add other admin fees in certain circumstances, so be sure to note if any are listed on the item listing page or in the sale description. An example is Pickles, which charges an extra $100 admin fee on electric vehicles across all categories. Grays also applies an Administration Fee in selected categories, shown to you at the confirm-bid stage.
There are also extra fees if you do not complete payment on time, do not pick up on time, need an invoice reprinted, and more. At Pickles, for example, late payment is $75 per invoice per day, storage is $75 per day and an invoice reprint is $25. Check for these and be sure to follow the conditions of sale.
GST Implications: The 10% GST applies to the buyer’s premium and is often already included (Pickles and IAA Australia both quote their fees GST inclusive). For vehicles and machinery sold by GST-registered sellers, GST may also apply to the hammer price itself. Check the auction listing on both points.
Transport/Removal: You’re responsible for removing your purchase within the specified timeframe, or storage fees apply. Also be sure to get a transport estimate in advance and add that to your bidding budget.
Buyer Fee Comparison Guide
The following tables of sale fees were collected from auctioneer websites and last checked in September 2026. Use this as a guide only and check for the actual fees that may be applied on the auction listing page of the auctioneer.
Motor Vehicles Buyer Auction Fees
| Auctioneer | Fee Type | Purchase Price | Fee (Per Item) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickles | Motor Vehicle | $0 – $1,999.99 | $525.00 |
| Pickles | Motor Vehicle | $2,000.00+ | $650.00 + 1.65% of hammer price |
| Pickles | VicFleet Government Vehicle | Any price | $446.50 + $110.00 Pickles Live Bidding Fee |
| Pickles | NT Fleet Government | Any price | $340.00 + $102.00 Bidding Fee + $110.00 Admin Fee |
| Pickles | SA Government Vehicle | Any price | $300.00 |
| Pickles | TAS Government Vehicle | Any price | $512.41 (+ $112.64 Roadworthy, + $136.64 Bidding Fee, + $71.50 Admin Fee) |
| Pickles | WA Government Vehicle | Any price | $350.00 |
| Pickles | Luxury Auctions | Any price | 5.90% – minimum $1,050.00 |
| Pickles | Prestige Vehicle | Any price | 3.75% – minimum $825.00 |
| Pickles | Online Classic & Collectable Vehicle | Any price | 7.5% – minimum $660.00 |
| Pickles | Electric Vehicle (all categories) | Any price | + $100.00 EV Admin Fee |
| Manheim | Motor Vehicles – Cars and Light Commercial | $0 – $2,000 | $525 |
| Manheim | Motor Vehicles – Cars and Light Commercial | $2,001+ | $650 + 1.8% |
| Slattery | Standard Car (includes vehicles, utes & light commercial) | $0 – $5,000 | $550 |
| Slattery | Standard Car (includes vehicles, utes & light commercial) | $5,001 – $65,000 | $715 + 1.65% |
| Slattery | Standard Car (includes vehicles, utes & light commercial) | Above $65,001 | 2.75% |
| Slattery | Prestige Car (includes classic cars) | $0 – $26,000 | $1,100 |
| Slattery | Prestige Car (includes classic cars) | Above $26,001 | 4.40% |
| Lloyds | Vehicles (fees vary by auction) | Any | 12.5% – 22% (e.g. 12.5% in Prestige Car auctions) |
| Grays | Motor vehicles inc. salvage, prestige & luxury | $0 – $2,000 | $495 |
| Grays | Motor vehicles inc. salvage, prestige & luxury | $2,001 – $5,000 | $650 |
| Grays | Motor vehicles inc. salvage, prestige & luxury | $5,001 – $10,000 | $710 |
| Grays | Motor vehicles inc. salvage, prestige & luxury | $10,001 – $30,000 | 7% |
| Grays | Motor vehicles inc. salvage, prestige & luxury | $30,001 – $40,000 | 6% |
| Grays | Motor vehicles inc. salvage, prestige & luxury | $40,001+ | 5% |
| Grays | Classic cars | Any | 7.50% |
| CARBIDS | Vehicles (fees vary by listing) | Any | Percentage of winning bid – commonly 12.5% |
Salvage Vehicles Buyer Auction Fees
| Auctioneer | Fee Type | Purchase Price | Fee (Per Item) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAA Australia | All Salvage Auctions | $0 – $99.99 | $33.00 |
| IAA Australia | All Salvage Auctions | $100 – $499.99 | $125.00 |
| IAA Australia | All Salvage Auctions | $500 – $999.99 | $230.00 |
| IAA Australia | All Salvage Auctions | $1,000.00+ | 14.95% + $135.00 |
| Pickles | All Salvage Auctions (excl. Heavy Motor Salvage) | $0 – $99.99 | $33.00 |
| Pickles | All Salvage Auctions (excl. Heavy Motor Salvage) | $100 – $499.99 | $140.00 |
| Pickles | All Salvage Auctions (excl. Heavy Motor Salvage) | $500 – $999.99 | $245.00 |
| Pickles | All Salvage Auctions (excl. Heavy Motor Salvage) | $1,000.00+ | 15% + $160.00 |
| Pickles | Heavy Motor Salvage (trucks, trailers & EMP) | $1,000.00+ | 15% + $300.00 |
| Manheim | Salvage Vehicles | $0 – $200 | $121 |
| Manheim | Salvage Vehicles | $201 – $500 | $148 |
| Manheim | Salvage Vehicles | $501 – $1,000 | $220 |
| Manheim | Salvage Vehicles | $1,001+ | 15% + $120 |
| Grays | Salvage Vehicles | $0 – $2,000 | $495 |
| Grays | Salvage Vehicles | $2,001 – $5,000 | $650 |
| Grays | Salvage Vehicles | $5,001 – $10,000 | $710 |
| Grays | Salvage Vehicles | $10,001 – $30,000 | 7% |
| Grays | Salvage Vehicles | $30,001 – $40,000 | 6% |
| Grays | Salvage Vehicles | $40,001+ | 5% |
Trucks, Machinery & Industrial Buyer Auction Fees
| Auctioneer | Fee Type | Purchase Price | Fee (Per Item) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickles | Industrial, Agriculture, Recreational & Marine, Motorcycles (non-government) | $0 – $5,000.00 | 22.50% |
| Pickles | Industrial, Agriculture, Recreational & Marine, Motorcycles (non-government) | $5,000.01 – $40,000.00 | 16.50% |
| Pickles | Industrial, Agriculture, Recreational & Marine, Motorcycles (non-government) | $40,000.01 – $55,000.00 | 12.50% |
| Pickles | Industrial, Agriculture, Recreational & Marine, Motorcycles (non-government) | $55,000.01+ | 9.90% |
| Pickles | VicFleet Industrial | $0 – $35,000.00 | 16.50% |
| Pickles | VicFleet Industrial | $35,000.01+ | 8.25% |
| Pickles | Mining, Oil & Gas | Varies | 8.80% – 22.50% (ex GST) – confirm with branch |
| Pickles | General Goods | Any price | 25.00% (20.00% for NT Fleet, VicFleet, TAS & SA Gov general goods) |
| Slattery | Truck & Machinery | $0 – $30,000 | 16.50% |
| Slattery | Truck & Machinery | $30,001 – $50,000 | 12.50% |
| Slattery | Truck & Machinery | $50,001+ | 9.90% |
| Manheim | Industrial (Trucks & Machinery) | $0 – $5,000 | 22.5% (min $75) |
| Manheim | Industrial (Trucks & Machinery) | $5,001 – $35,000 | 16.50% |
| Manheim | Industrial (Trucks & Machinery) | $35,001 – $50,000 | 12.50% |
| Manheim | Industrial (Trucks & Machinery) | $50,001+ | 9.90% |
