Our charges are set out in the Public Trustee Act 1995 and the associated Regulations. The regulated fees are set annually by the Government of South Australia.

All fees are inclusive of GST unless otherwise stated.

Making your Will

We will prepare your Will documents at no cost if you meet our eligibility criteria and you appoint us as executor.

Eligible customers can have their Will revised or updated at any time by us at no cost and we will also keep your Will in safe custody at no charge.

When you appoint us as executor of your Will, no charges will be incurred until after your death and we have commenced our duties as executor and have started to administer your estate. Refer to Executor Services and Trusts.

Enduring Power of Attorney

We will prepare your Power of Attorney documents at no cost if you meet the eligibility criteria and appoint the Public Trustee as your Attorney. Fees will apply  upon the activation  of the Power of Attorney. Refer to Personal Financial Administration.

Executor services and trusts

Our charge to administer estates is a commission calculated on the gross capital value of the estate. This means we charge a percentage of the value of the estate’s assets.

Some exclusions apply:

  • Commission is not charged on assets owned as joint tenants (home, motor vehicles, bank accounts)
  • Where matrimonial assets form part of an estate, Public Trustee will charge a rate of commission not exceeding half of the usual rate applicable when they are transferred to a spouse or sold on behalf of a spouse.
  • Commission is charged only on the deceased person’s share of a property owned as tenants in common.

The commission is charged at a reducing rate depending on the value of the estate.

Our capital commission is never greater than 4.4%.

Value of estate assetsCommission rateOR Commission ($) on estate value (includes GST)
Up to $200,0004.4%4.4 cents for every dollar up to $200,000 (maximum rate)
$200,001 – $400,0003.3%$8,800 plus 3.3 cents for every dollar above $200,000 up to $400,000
$400,001 – $600,0002.2%$15,400 plus 2.2 cents for every dollar above $400,000 up to $600,000
$600,001 +1.1%$19,800 plus 1.1 cents for every dollar above $600,000

Income commission is charged at 5.5% on all income received by the estate or trust except on monies received for rent. This may include income on investments or from a business.

Rental income commission is charged at 2.75% for the collection of rents managed by an external agent and 8.25% when we manage the collection of rents.

Taxation fees are charged for investigating taxation matters and for preparing tax returns for customers if needed.

We can prepare individual tax returns up to date of death, and trust tax returns during the period of administration. Trusts tax returns are prepared annually as required.

  • $261 up to one hour
  • $261 per hour for each additional hour (pro rata)

The taxation fee is a maximum rate and lower fees are charged for simpler returns that do not require a full hour to complete.

  • $91.00 where taxable income is below threshold.

There is no charge to customers who do not require a tax return.

Regardless of who administers a deceased estate there will be charges from other organisations who are involved in the process.

For example, most estates are charged a Probate Application fee by the Supreme Court. There may also be a fee for advertising in the newspaper to call for any creditors who believe they have a claim against the estate.

Where an administration involves real estate we may engage the following people to help administer the estate or trust property:

  • real estate agents
  • valuers
  • property inspectors
  • lawyers and/or conveyancers
  • property clearance and cleaning professionals

There will also be fees payable to the Lands Titles Office for registration and search fees. These third party fees and charges will be paid by the estate or trust.

The following additional fees may be charged to an estate under our administration.

Preparation of affidavits $300 (maximum) per document
Preparation of deeds $284 per document
Attendance at property $195 per hour
Preparation of Inventory $195 per hour
Next of kin search fee

(Where required to find beneficiaries who may be entitled to share in a deceased estate)

$198 up to one hour

$198 per hour for more than one hour (pro rata)

Note: Next of kin search fees must never exceed 11% of estate value.

An administration and audit fee of $192 is charged annually to each estate we are actively administering.

Personal financial administration

We charge commissions and fees for managing the financial affairs of those who can no longer manage their own.

Commission and some fees may be waived or reduced for estates with minimal assets or in the case of financial hardship.

To ensure customers with low value estates and trusts are not excessively burdened with commissions, fees, or charges they cannot afford, we exercise discretionary powers under the Public Trustee Act 1995 to reduce or waive the charges for these estates.

Estates and trusts with a value below a certain threshold (which is reviewed and fixed annually) are automatically provided a fee reduction.

Capital commission is charged on assets such as bank accounts, shares, sale of property, valuables, or Court awarded monies when the proceeds of the asset are received by us.

Capital commission for assets not sold during the administration will be charged at the end of a SACAT administration order or Court protection order matter.

Commission is charged only on the protected person’s share of any property owned jointly or as tenants in common.

The commission is charged at a reducing rate depending on the value of the estate.

Our capital commission is never greater than 4.4%

Value of Estate Assets Commission Rate OR Commission ($) on estate value (includes GST)
Up to $200,000 4.4% 4.4 cents for every dollar up to $200,000 (maximum rate)
$200,001 – $400,000 3.3% $8,800 plus 3.3 cents for every dollar above $200,000 up to $400,000
$400,001 – $600,000 2.2% $15,400 plus 2.2 cents for every dollar above $400,000 up to $600,000
$600,001 + 1.1% $19,800 plus 1.1 cents for every dollar above $600,000

Income commission is charged at 5.5% on all income received by the estate or trust except on monies received for rent. This may include income on investments, pensions, or from a business.

Rental income commission is charged at 2.75% for the collection of rents managed by an external agent and 8.25% when we manage the collection of rents.

Taxation fees are charged for investigating taxation matters and for preparing tax returns for customers if needed.

We can prepare tax returns annually, where required during the period of administration.

  • $261 up to one hour
  • $261 per hour for each additional hour (pro rata)

The taxation fee is a maximum rate and lower fees are charged for simpler returns that do not require a full hour to complete.

  • $91.00 where taxable income is below threshold.

There is no charge to customers who do not require a tax return.

Fees charged by other organisations during the administration will be payable from the personal estate.

This may include services such as legal fees, accountants, financial advisors etc. A number of charges may arise depending on the customer’s individual circumstances.

Where an administration involves real estate we may engage the following people to assist in the sale or management of a property:

  • real estate agents
  • valuers
  • property inspectors
  • lawyers and/or conveyancers
  • property clearance and cleaning professionals

There will also be fees payable to the Lands Titles Office for registration and search fees. These third party fees and charges will be paid by the personal estate.

The following additional fees may be charged to a personal estate under our administration:

Preparation of affidavits $300 (maximum) per document
Preparation of deeds $284 per document
Attendance at property $195 per hour
Preparation of Inventory $195 per hour

An administration and audit fee of $192 is charged annually to each estate we are actively administering.

Funds management fees

Public Trustee invests customer funds in a number of Standard Investment Strategies where each strategy comprises diversified investments across our seven common funds.

A management fee is charged on the value of each fund as at the first business day of each month at an effective rate of one-twelfth 1.025% (inclusive of GST) for Fixed Interest funds and 1.230% for Growth Common Funds which include Australian Shares, Overseas Shares and the Property Common Fund.

This management fee is charged to the common fund prior to distributions of capital and income.

Private administrator fees

We receive and examine the statements of accounts of private administrators appointed to manage the financial, legal and business affairs of another person who lacks the ability to manage their own affairs.

A fee applies for the examination and regulatory audit of financial statements prepared by private administrators and lodged under section 44 of the Guardianship and Administration Act 1993 or section 56 of the Administration and Probate Act 1919.

  • $261 up to one hour
  • $261 per hour for each additional hour (pro rata).

Private manager fees

We receive and examine the statements of accounts of private managers appointed to manage the financial, legal and business affairs of another person who lacks the ability to manage their own affairs.

A fee applies for the examination and regulatory audit of financial statements prepared by private managers and lodged under section 20 of the Aged and Inform Person's Property Act 1940.

  • $261 up to one hour
  • $261 per hour for each additional hour (pro rata).

Taxation fees

We are a registered tax agent with many years of experience in preparing personal income tax returns.

Fees for taxation customers are chargeable on an hourly basis, and these fees are deductible against your tax return for the next financial year.

For taxation returns prepared by our experienced Taxation Service officers:

  • $261 up to one hour
  • $261 per hour for each additional hour (pro rata).