Site Introduction Fee Calculator
What should you charge for introducing a developer to a site? Pick a flat fee or a % of land value. Built for site finders, land aggregators, buyers agents working off-market, and anyone else introducing property to people who build on it.
Metro AU developer deals typically sit in the $5M to $50M range. The calculator scales cleanly to $100M+.
The purchase price of the site. Most metro AU developer deals sit $5M to $50M.
1% to 2% is the standard band. 3%+ for highly off-market or pre-DA sites.
Want this paid, not promised?
Socii is the private network where property dealmakers and developers agree the introducer fee upfront, in writing, before the introduction is made. Every deal tracked through to payment.
See the Dealmaker planHow site introduction fees actually work
A site introduction fee is paid to the person who connects a developer with a site. It is not a real-estate-agent commission (that goes to the listing agent if the vendor used one) and it is not a buyers-agent retainer (the introducer is not running the buy-side process). It is a one-off finder fee for opening the door.
The two structures that dominate the market:
- Percentage of land value (1% to 2%). On a $20M site, this is $200,000 to $400,000. Common when the developer wants the fee to scale with the deal and the introducer is happy to take percentage exposure. The percent often steps up to 3%+ for truly off-market or pre-DA sites where the introducer has done aggregation work.
- Flat fee ($50k to $500k). Cleaner and easier to defend. Favours the introducer on big sites (a $200k flat fee on a $50M site is 0.4%); favours the developer on small sites (a $200k flat fee on a $5M site is 4%, which is high). Many agreements use a tiered structure: a flat minimum plus a percentage above a threshold.
The trigger event matters as much as the number
When you get paid changes the effective value of the fee:
- On HOA / option: lowest risk for the introducer; developer may resist because the deal may not complete.
- On unconditional contract: the most common middle ground.
- On DA approval: fits when the introducer also helped with planning or feasibility.
- On settlement: highest risk for the introducer; typically commands a higher fee.
At Socii, site introductions between members are paid through a written agreement with all of the above documented before the introduction is made. Read the long-form guide.
Frequently asked
How much do site finders earn for introducing a developer to a site?
For metro Australian sites, the most common structures are a flat fee of $50,000 to $500,000 depending on site size, OR 1% to 2% of land value. On a $20M site that is $200,000 to $400,000. For truly off-market or pre-DA sites where the introducer has spent time aggregating, the fee can rise to 3%.
When is a site introduction fee paid?
Four common trigger events: on signing an option or HOA, on the contract going unconditional, on DA approval, or on settlement. The further down this list, the more risk the introducer carries, and the higher the fee should be.
What is the difference between a flat fee and a percentage of land value?
Flat fee is cleaner and easier to defend on smaller sites. On larger $50M+ sites, a flat fee tends to favour the introducer; a percentage tends to favour the developer. Many agreements use a tiered structure: a flat minimum plus a percentage above a threshold.
Do I need a written introducer agreement?
Yes. Verbal introductions on $20M sites are how disputes happen. The agreement should specify the site, the introducer, the trigger event, the fee, the payment timing, exclusivity period (typically 12 to 24 months), and clawback if the deal falls over.
How do I find developers to introduce sites to?
On Socii, site finders, capital raisers, and dealmakers are vetted members of the same private network as developers, family offices, and capital partners. Introductions are warm, the fee structure is agreed before the introduction happens, and every deal is tracked through to payment.
Built by Socii Book Pty Ltd (ACN 695 597 141), the private network for dealmakers. The numbers above are the same math we run inside the platform.
People also ask
What is the average site introducer fee in Sydney and Melbourne?
In metro Sydney and Melbourne the most common structure for $10M to $50M development sites is 1% to 2% of land value or a flat $100k to $500k. Premium fringe locations with strong upside (Inner West Sydney, Inner Melbourne) sit at the top of the band; outer suburbs and bulk-land deals sit at the bottom. Off-market sites with aggregation work attached carry 3% or more.
Do you have to be a real estate agent to charge a site introduction fee?
No, provided you only introduce the parties and do not act for either side in the negotiation. A pure introducer who passes on the lead, holds no deposit, and does not negotiate price does not require a real estate licence in NSW, VIC, or QLD. The moment you negotiate or represent a party, licensing kicks in.
When does the site introduction fee get paid?
Most commonly on contract going unconditional. Some agreements stage the fee: a small payment on HOA or option signing, the balance on unconditional or settlement. Paying on DA approval is appropriate when the introducer also helped with planning work. Paying on settlement is the safest for the developer but the riskiest for the introducer, and usually commands a higher headline fee.
How do you avoid getting cut out of a site introduction fee?
Two protections. Sign a one-page introducer agreement before the introduction is made, naming the site, the developer, the introducer chain, and the fee formula. Then document the introduction in writing (an email or a tracked log entry like a Socii intro). Verbal introductions on $20M+ sites are how introducers get cut out and have no recourse.
Is GST charged on a site introduction fee?
Yes, if the introducer is GST-registered (which most professional introducers are). The fee carries 10% GST in addition to the headline amount. The developer claims it back as input tax credit if the development is taxable supply. The introducer remits the GST to the ATO with quarterly BAS.
Related free tools
Capital Raise Success Fee Calculator
For introducing equity capital to a developer once you have the site - 2% to 5% of equity raised benchmarks.
JV Profit Share Calculator
For joint ventures where the introducer takes a profit slice rather than a one-off fee.
Referral Fee Calculator
For smaller deals where the fee is a % of a commission rather than a % of land value.
Commission Split Calculator
For deals with multiple introducers and brokers each owed a slice.
Anyone can run the numbers. The deals get done inside.
Socii is the network where these deals get done - introductions made, agreements signed, fees tracked. Membership is open. The Black Book, our nomination-only inner circle, is the part you earn.
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