Public Trustee

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Fees & Charges

About our fees and charges

Public Trustee aims to provide the best possible service with charges that are both competitive and reasonable as well as in accordance with the Public Trustee Act and Regulations

For a copy of our latest Fees and Charges please click here. (122kb Adobe PDF file. Opens in a new browser window.)

Making your Will

When you appoint Public Trustee as executor, we will make your Will, and keep it in safe custody free of charge. You can revise or update your will at any time free of charge.

No charges will be incurred until after death when we assume the role and responsibilities of executor.

Administering a deceased estate

In administering a deceased estate, Public Trustee assumes full financial and legal responsibilities while assets are under our control, prior to distribution to beneficiaries. Public Trustee charges commission and fees for these professional services.

Administering a personal estate

In administering a personal estate Public Trustee is responsible for managing the financial affairs of our clients from the date of appointment by the Guardianship Board, Supreme Court or Power of Attorney. Public Trustee charges commission and fees for these professional services.

Capital Commission

Our charge to administer estates is a commission calculated on the gross capital value of the estate, although some exemptions and exclusions may apply.

For any estate with a gross capital value over $5,000, the capital commission will not be greater than 4.4% (Incl. GST). As an example, an estate with a value of $500,000 will incur a capital commission of 3.52% (including GST).

Public Trustee’s commission rates operate as follows

Gross estate capital value	Commission on estate (including GST)
$5,001 - $200,000	4.4% (maximum rate)
$200,001 - $400,000	$8,800 plus 3.3% for every dollar above $200,000
$400,001 - $600,000	$15,400 plus 2.2% for every dollar above $400,000
$600,001 and above	$19,800 plus 1.1% for every dollar above $600,000

Income commission

Income commission of 5.5% (including GST) is charged on any income received by the estate and collected by Public Trustee.

Income commission of 2.75% (including GST) is charged on the collection of rents when managed by an external agent, or 8.25% (including GST) where Public Trustee manages the collection of rents.

Other fees and disbursements

There are other expenses involved in the administration of estates including an administration and audit fee and a fee for preparation of a tax return.

There are other fees for specific services that are only required for some estates and are only charged when the service is needed.

In addition to these fees there may be other payments or disbursements from the estate such as legal fees and stamp duty for services provided by third parties.

Taxation Services

Competitive rates are charged for taxation returns prepared by our experienced Taxation Services officer. $140 for up to the hour (including GST) & charged on a pro rata basis for more than one hour.

Exemptions and exclusions

• Capital commission is not charged on joint assets (such as a jointly held house or bank account).
• The commission is halved when the formerly shared home is transferred to the spouse or domestic partner of a deceased person.
• The commission is halved when the formerly shared home is sold on behalf of the spouse or domestic partner of a deceased person. Commission is only charged on the deceased person’s share for property owned as tenants in common.
• When managing personal estates under Powers of Attorney, commission is only charged on realised assets (such as bank accounts, shares, sale of property or valuables).
• When managing other personal estates, commission may be charged on both realised and unrealised assets.
• Commission and some fees may be waived or reduced for estates of minimal assets or in the case of financial hardship at the discretion of Public Trustee.

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