⚠️ This guide was researched and updated in May 2026. Laws and regulations change frequently. For specific legal advice regarding your jurisdiction, please consult with local legal counsel.
The cost of a will in Australia runs from a modest sum for a kit you complete yourself to several thousand dollars for a solicitor handling a complex estate. This guide sets out the typical range for each route and what tends to push the price up.
There is no single price. What you pay depends mostly on the route you choose and how involved your estate is. Each state and territory also has a Public Trustee that prepares wills, sometimes at a reduced fee for eligible applicants.
Price does not decide validity. A will is generally valid if it meets the formalities of the state or territory where it is made, whichever route produced it. See do I need a solicitor to write a will for what those formalities involve.
Cost tends to follow complexity and the amount of tailored advice, not the length of the document.
An estate left to a partner or adult children sits at the lower end; testamentary trusts, a business or several properties push the price up.
Superannuation does not always pass under a will, and self-managed funds or family trusts usually need more careful drafting, which tends to cost more.
A kit is cheapest; a solicitor advising on your own family and tax position is where most of the extra cost, and value, lies.
Simple wills are often offered for a fixed fee agreed in writing, while complex estates are more commonly billed by the hour.
The table below sets out typical Australian market ranges for each route, what each usually includes and where the figures come from. They are a national overview for information only; always check a provider’s current price before deciding.
Typical Australian market ranges for informational purposes only. Wills are governed state by state and territory by territory, so these are a national overview rather than the rule in any one of them. Prices vary by firm, state and estate complexity, and may change over time. Always check the source and consult a professional before deciding.
A$30 to A$100
A post-office or newsagent kit you complete yourself. No review of your circumstances, and a kit filled in incorrectly may not meet your state or territory formalities.
Source: canstar.com.au (opens in a new tab) · as of 8 Sept 2026
A$140 to A$460
The state or territory Public Trustee prepares a will, often free or discounted for pensioners and older applicants, usually where the Public Trustee is named executor.
Source: canstar.com.au (opens in a new tab) · as of 8 Sept 2026
A$300 to A$800
A solicitor drafts the will and advises on your own situation, usually for a fixed fee agreed in writing. Sydney and Melbourne firms sit at the higher end.
Source: canstar.com.au (opens in a new tab) · as of 8 Sept 2026
A$1,000 to A$3,500+
Tailored drafting for larger or more involved estates (testamentary trusts, a business, a blended family or self-managed superannuation), commonly billed hourly.
Source: canstar.com.au (opens in a new tab) · as of 8 Sept 2026
It depends on the route. A will kit costs little, the Public Trustee charges a modest fee that may be reduced for eligible applicants, and a solicitor typically charges more, rising with the complexity of the estate. The dated ranges and their sources are in the table above; always check a provider’s current price.
Yes, if it meets the formalities of your state or territory. The trade-off with cheaper routes is usually less guidance, so a mistake that makes a will invalid is easier to miss.
There can be. Some providers charge for storage or updates, and you may pay again to revise a will after a marriage, divorce, a new child or a change in your super.
It can be, particularly for pensioners and older applicants, but some Public Trustees expect to be named as executor, which carries its own fees later. Check the terms with the Public Trustee in your state.
Whichever route suits you, a valid, up-to-date will is what decides who inherits. Start yours with structured prompts, or find a legal professional for advice on your own position.
Have questions about this topic? Join the discussion in our community forum. Get answers from verified professionals and other members.
We use cookies to improve your experience. See our Cookie Policy (opens in a new tab) for details.
