If the estate planning documents are complex to prepare an hourly fee of $295 (pro rata) may apply.

A standard Will and enduring power of attorney are prepared free for Seniors and Australian Government Pensioner concession card holders when the Public Trustee is appointed as executor/attorney (card must be presented and only applies to one appointment in a 12-month period).

• If you nominate Public Trustee as your executor fees will apply when we are required to administer your estate when you pass away.
• If you nominate Public Trustee as your attorney fees will apply if we are required to manage your affairs if you lose decision-making ability or if you choose for us to manage your financial affairs.
• Existing clients of the Public Trustee receive a 10% discount to prepare/revise new estate planning documents.
• Fees for couples are based on the assumption instructions are similar.
• Will (with an enduring power of attorney), enduring power of attorney and enduring guardianship preparation fees are based on the following standard appointment times
  • Single person – 1 hour to take instructions + 30 minutes to draft the documents + 30 minutes for the documents to be signed.
  • Couples – 1.5 hours to take instructions + 30 minutes to draft the documents + 30 minutes for the documents to be signed.
• If you need more time than a standard appointment to provide your instructions and/or for us to provide advice to complete your documents, we will discuss your options with you before additional time is charged.  If required additional time has an hourly charge of $295 billable on a pro rata basis of $29.50 for each 6 minute unit actually undertaken to complete your documentation. 
• There is an additional Government registration fee to register an enduring guardianship and or an enduring power of attorney. If the Public Trustee is asked to register an enduring power of attorney an administration fee is also charged. Enduring guardianship documents must be registered by the individual.
• Telephone, online and office appointments are available.

To act as attorney

If the Public Trustee is acting as the attorney, a pro rata fee of $120 per hour will be charged. A time sheet is kept and fees will be charged quarterly.

Income Commission

• The Public Trustee charges 6.6% commission on the receipt of all income such as interest, dividends, pensions and rental income (where the Public Trustee is managing the property).  
• 3.3% commission is charged on rental income where the Public Trustee is not managing the property.

Investment Management Fee

• A 1.1% per annum fee is charged on funds invested in our Common Fund or Group Investment Fund. This fee is deducted from your gross earnings before any distributions are made to your account.
• A 1.1% per annum fee may also apply to invested funds not directly managed by the Public Trustee.

The following fees and charges may apply: 

• account keeping fee ($13.50 per month);
• domestic cheque drawing ($6.00) and direct credit ($3.20);
• international bank transfers ($24.00) and international bank drafts ($32.00), excluding any 3rd party transaction and processing fees;
• investment review fees for developing an investment strategy for the client portfolio. The fee charged is dependent upon the complexity of individual circumstances;
• depending on the complexity of the matter a fee will be charged for the preparation and lodgment of income tax returns and other taxation services including the establishment of the acquisition details of assets for capital gains tax purposes;
• a fee for conveyancing and other services provided in relation to the sale, purchase or transfer of a property; and/or
• work of a particularly complex nature not covered above will be charged at an hourly rate.

Legal Services

The cost of legal services from our legal practitioners depends on how difficult the task is. The Public Trustee will not charge more than the maximum hourly attendance rate set out in the Supreme Court Rules 2000. This is currently set between $194.00 and $423.00.

Sometimes, the Public Trustee can seek outside practitioners to provide legal services. These services will be charged at the firm’s market rate.

View a list of all fees & charges here