How Much Does a Will Cost in Australia?
Updated 22 September 2026 · General information, not legal advice
A simple will prepared by a private lawyer usually costs between $300 and $1,000, while a Public Trustee will starts from $462 in NSW and an online will from State Trustees Victoria costs $69, as at September 2026. Fees vary with how complex your estate is and who prepares the will.
Whichever option you choose, the will is valid only if it is signed and witnessed correctly. Before any appointment, list your assets, debts, superannuation funds and the people you want to benefit, and decide who your executor will be. If your estate includes a business, a trust or a blended family, compare wills & estates lawyers in Australia rather than relying on a kit.
How much does a will cost?
A will costs from under $100 for an online service to several thousand dollars for an estate plan with trusts. The table compares the main options.
| Option | Cost (AUD, as at September 2026) | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Will kit or template | Low; usually well below a lawyer's fee | Very simple estates where the maker follows the witnessing rules exactly |
| Online will, State Trustees Victoria | $69 | Straightforward circumstances |
| Will appointment, State Trustees Victoria | $330 minimum for a single will; $600 minimum for a couple | Straightforward to moderate estates |
| Standard will, NSW Trustee and Guardian | $462 | Straightforward estates |
| Complex will, NSW Trustee and Guardian | From $583 | Business owners, blended families, self-managed super funds |
| Private lawyer, simple will | $300–$1,000 (indicative, varies) | Most people who want advice on their will |
| Private lawyer, estate plan with testamentary trusts | $1,500–$5,000+ (indicative, varies) | Larger estates, family trusts, vulnerable beneficiaries |
Private lawyer fees are indicative ranges only. They vary between firms and cities, and with the number of beneficiaries, trusts and assets involved.
Lawyer-drafted wills
A lawyer takes instructions, drafts the will, advises on assets that pass outside the will and supervises the signing. Many charge a fixed fee for a standard will. For general fee structures, see How Much Does a Lawyer Cost in Australia?.
Public Trustee wills
Each state's Public Trustee or equivalent prepares wills. NSW Trustee and Guardian charges $462 for a standard will and offers a $693 package that adds a power of attorney and an appointment of enduring guardian. It prepares these documents at no charge for people eligible for a full Centrelink Age Pension. If you appoint a Public Trustee as executor, it charges fees to administer your estate after your death, usually taken from the estate.
Will kits
A will kit is the cheapest option. The NSW Government recommends having a do-it-yourself will checked by a professional to make sure it is accurate and valid. The main risks are unclear wording, gifts that fail, and mistakes in signing and witnessing.
What makes a will valid?
A will is valid in Victoria and Queensland if it is:
- in writing;
- signed by the will-maker, or by another person in their presence and at their direction;
- signed or acknowledged in the presence of two or more witnesses present at the same time;
- signed by at least two witnesses in the will-maker's presence, though not necessarily in each other's presence.
These rules are in section 7 of the Wills Act 1997 (Vic) and section 10 of the Succession Act 1981 (Qld). NSW sets its formal requirements in Part 2.1 of the Succession Act 2006 (NSW), and the Supreme Court of NSW describes them as a will in writing, signed by the will-maker and by two witnesses who both saw the will-maker sign. In South Australia, the will-maker must sign in front of two adult witnesses under section 8 of the Succession Act 2023 (SA). In Victoria and Queensland, the witnesses need not know the document is a will. In South Australia, a beneficiary may witness a will, but it is better to use people not named in it.
If a will does not meet these rules, the Supreme Court can still admit it if satisfied the deceased intended the document to be their will, for example under section 18 of the Succession Act 1981 (Qld) and section 9 of the Wills Act 1997 (Vic). This requires extra evidence and adds cost to the probate application.
Can a will be witnessed electronically?
In Victoria, yes. Section 8A of the Wills Act 1997 (Vic) allows a remote execution procedure by audio-visual link. One of the witnesses must be a special witness, all steps must be carried out on the same day and within Victoria, and the special witness signs last. Other states have their own rules, so check before relying on remote witnessing.
What does it cost to store a will?
Storing a will costs from nothing to $169, depending on where it is kept.
| Storage option | Cost (as at September 2026) |
|---|---|
| NSW Trustee and Guardian WillSafe | $29 for one document; $49 for up to three |
| Deposit with the Supreme Court of NSW | $169 |
| Deposit with the Supreme Court of Victoria Probate Office | $27.60 |
| Victorian Wills and Powers of Attorney Registry | Free for Victorian residents |
| Your lawyer's safe custody | Set by the firm; ask before you sign |
Why can a cheap will cost more later?
A will that is invalid, unclear or leaves out an eligible person can lead to a contested probate or a family provision claim. Those legal costs are paid by the parties or from the estate, as the court orders. See Contesting a Will in Australia for who can claim and the time limits.
Editor's picks
Chosen by our editors from verified facts and always labelled. Shown separately from the data-ranked list. How we rank law firms
Wollerman Shacklock
Accredited property law specialist leading a long-established south-east Melbourne practice.
Clyde North VIC
View firm profile
AM Legal
Long-established South Australian practice combining family, estate and commercial law with notary services.
Aldinga SA
View firm profileWhen to speak to a wills and estates lawyer
A lawyer is worth the fee if you own a business or property in more than one state, have a blended family, want to leave assets in trust, or expect someone to challenge the will. Compare wills & estates lawyers in Australia by city, including wills & estates lawyers in Sydney, wills & estates lawyers in Brisbane, wills & estates lawyers in Perth and wills & estates lawyers in Adelaide. To plan for loss of capacity at the same time, read Power of Attorney vs Enduring Power of Attorney.
Frequently asked questions
Is a homemade will legal in Australia?
Yes, if it meets your state's formal requirements. In NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, a will must be in writing, signed by the will-maker and witnessed by two witnesses who see the will-maker sign.
Can I get a free will?
Some people can. NSW Trustee and Guardian prepares wills and estate planning documents at no charge for people eligible for a full Centrelink Age Pension, as at September 2026. Other Public Trustees set their own fees and concessions.
Where should I keep my will?
Keep the original somewhere safe that your executor knows about. NSW Trustee and Guardian stores a single document for $29, the Supreme Court of NSW accepts wills for safe keeping for $169, and the Victorian Wills and Powers of Attorney Registry stores wills free for Victorian residents.
Does a will need to be updated after marriage or divorce?
Usually yes. The Supreme Court of NSW notes that marrying after making a will may revoke it, and that divorce normally revokes the former spouse's gifts and appointment as executor. A lawyer can confirm the effect in your state.