REA Group (ASX:REA) Changes Real Estate Agent Contracts Following ACCC Investigation

Sonal Goyal

15 September 2026 10:49 AM AEST

REA Group (ASX:REA) Changes Real Estate Agent Contracts Following ACCC Investigation

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REA Group (ASX:REA) has agreed to change certain contractual arrangements with real estate agencies following an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

On 14 September 2026, the ACCC announced that it had accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from REA Group relating to provisions in contracts used by its realestate.com.au business.

The changes relate to requirements and incentives affecting how real estate agencies list residential properties for sale or rent.

ACCC Investigation

The ACCC investigated provisions contained in REA's contracts with real estate agencies.

The regulator raised concerns about contract provisions requiring agencies to list all properties on realestate.com.au and arrangements that required or incentivised agencies to use particular listing features attracting higher fees.

The ACCC considered that these provisions limited customer choice and could hinder competing property-listing services.

REA acknowledged the ACCC's concerns that its conduct may have breached competition law and provided a court-enforceable undertaking addressing those concerns.

The outcome does not represent a court finding that REA Group breached competition law.

Contract Changes

Under the undertaking, REA Group cannot require or incentivise real estate agencies to list all or most of their properties on realestate.com.au.

The changes provide agencies with greater flexibility when determining where properties belonging to vendor and landlord clients are advertised.

Previously, most of REA's relevant contracts required agencies to list all properties for sale or Lease on realestate.com.au.

Certain arrangements also required or incentivised agencies to list all or a portion of their properties using features that attracted higher fees.

REA has committed to changes to its operations for three years under the court-enforceable undertaking.

Competition Concerns

The ACCC's concerns related to section 45 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, which deals with anti-competitive agreements.

The regulator considered that REA's contractual provisions could restrict the choices available to real estate agencies and make it more difficult for competing listing services to compete effectively.

The undertaking changes the contractual arrangements without requiring a court determination regarding whether a contravention occurred.

A court-enforceable undertaking creates binding commitments. The ACCC can seek court orders if an undertaking is subsequently breached.

Agent Listing Options

Real estate agencies use online listing services to advertise residential properties on behalf of vendors and landlords.

Following the contractual changes, agencies have greater flexibility to determine which properties are listed on realestate.com.au and which listing services or features are used.

The arrangements also allow agencies to consider different property-advertising Options across available portals without being required or incentivised by the relevant REA provisions to place all or most properties on realestate.com.au.

The ACCC stated that the changes are intended to provide greater choice and flexibility in property-listing arrangements.

Existing ACCC Review

The September undertaking follows an investigation that had previously been disclosed by REA.

In May 2025, REA confirmed that it had received a compulsory information notice from the ACCC requiring information concerning certain subscription offerings.

At that time, REA stated that it was cooperating with the investigation.

The process subsequently resulted in the court-enforceable undertaking announced on 14 September 2026.

Implementation Period

REA is required to implement the contractual and operational changes contained in the undertaking.

The commitments apply for three years and cover restrictions and incentives associated with property listings by real estate agencies.

The undertaking addresses the ACCC's competition concerns while allowing REA to continue providing residential property-listing services through realestate.com.au.

The regulatory outcome establishes revised conditions around relevant agency contracts without constituting a court determination that REA Group breached competition law.

FAQs

Q: What did REA Group agree to change following the ACCC investigation?

A: REA agreed not to require or incentivise real estate agencies to list all or most of their properties on realestate.com.au under the relevant arrangements.

Q: Did the ACCC find that REA Group broke competition law?

A: No. REA acknowledged the ACCC's concerns that its conduct may have breached competition law, but the outcome was a court-enforceable undertaking rather than a court finding of a contravention.

Q: How long will REA's commitments under the undertaking apply?

A: REA has committed to the relevant operational changes for three years under the court-enforceable undertaking.

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