Amazon’s global scale creates opportunity for brands who understand how the platform works, and the numbers underline that scale. 

One thing that trips up new sellers – and sometimes even experienced ones – is the long list of fees. Amazon’s costs differ by product, by the selling programme you pick (for example, Fulfilment by Amazon or seller-fulfilled), and by how you manage inventory and advertising.

To launch profitably on Amazon, you need to understand the fees you’ll face, how each one is calculated, and practical ways to reduce them. Below is a clear, local guide on the pricing you can expect when selling on Amazon Australia in 2026.

What affects your Amazon Selling costs?

How much you pay to sell on Amazon depends on a number of variables. These include:

Monthly Amazon subscription fees for sellers

Amazon charges a subscription fee for sellers depending on their volume:

• Professional selling plan –  recommended for sellers who list and sell regularly. This plan is AU$49.95 per month, and it includes unlimited product listings and access to advanced selling tools. 
• Individual selling plan – suited to low-volume sellers. Instead of paying a monthly fee, you pay AU$0.99 per item sold.

If you expect steady sales, want to advertise your products and use advanced selling tools or want to qualify for top placement on product detail pages,  the Professional plan typically works out cheaper and gives you access to essential selling features. 

However, if you sell fewer than 50 items per month, are still deciding what to sell, or do not plan to advertise or use advanced selling tools, the Individual plan is the best option. 

FBA fees

Using Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) removes the complexity of packing, postage and customer service, but it comes with FBA-specific fees:

• Fulfilment fees are calculated based on item size, weight and RRP of the product. Fulfilment fees start at approximately AU$3.64 per unit and increase for larger or heavier items. 
• Storage fees are charged by volume and time stored. Pattern’s AU guidance shows storage starts from about AU$34.20 per cubic metre per month for standard-size stock, with higher charges during peak months and extra fees for aged inventory. 

If inventory remains in FBA warehouses for more than the seasonal threshold or longer than a year, Amazon applies additional long-term storage or removal fees – these can hit margins if you don’t manage SKUs actively.

FBM fees

Choosing Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) – where you handle warehousing, packing, shipping and returns  – avoids Amazon’s fulfilment and storage charges but means you absorb logistics costs. FBM gives you control over carrier selection and pricing, which can be an advantage for bulky, heavy or low-margin items.

Referral fees

Every sale on Amazon carries a referral fee, a percentage of the sale price set by category. Referral fees typically sit between 6% and 15%, though it varies by category. Classifying your item in the correct category (and checking Amazon’s current fee table) is important because even a 1–2% difference changes unit economics. 

Customer returns fees

Returns are a normal part of online retail. If you are using a FBM model, you are responsible for the cost of returned items, including return shipping in some cases, processing, and any refurbishment or disposal. If you use FBA, Amazon’s returns policies determine refunds and any associated charges; make sure you understand those rules for returned stock.

How much money do you need to get started selling on Amazon?

A practical starting budget depends on how aggressively you launch, your product costs and whether you use FBA. 

Inventory will usually be your largest outlay, so we recommend starting with a conservative test quantity and using early sales data to inform your next order.

Inventory costs

Your inventory investment is the single biggest cash commitment. If you’re new to selling, it’s sensible to start smaller, perhaps at the lower end of the inventory band, and validate customer demand before committing to large minimum order quantities.

Product photoshoots

Good photos sell. Invest in clean, well-lit product photography that shows the item from multiple angles and, where appropriate, in use. Product photography and lifestyle imagery can enhance the customer experience through use of A+ content and branded storefronts. Quality images build trust and lift conversion; ensure you are allocating the correct amount of budget to produce conversion driving imagery. 

Advertising costs

Advertising helps customers find your listings. CPCs can start around AU$0.10 and CPMs around AU$1.00 (with a 10% tax on ad spend), but actual costs vary widely depending on category, ad type, and keyword competitiveness. Successful advertising campaigns require ongoing testing and optimisation – expect to iterate to find the most profitable bids and targets for your products.

Launching on Amazon Australia in 2026 requires a strategic shift from immediate profit to aggressive visibility, especially in high-competition categories like Beauty or VMS. For these brands, advertising costs during the launch phase typically range from 30% to 60% of GMV, particularly when there is zero existing brand awareness. This initial investment is essential for “buying” the data and organic ranking needed to sustain long-term growth. Beyond the bids, sellers must also factor in a 10% tax on ad spend and rising CPCs, which can start around AU$0.10 but climb significantly higher depending on the keyword competition.

Tools & supplies

Whether you fulfil Amazon orders yourself or use a 3PL, budget for packing materials, a scale to measure parcels, label printing and a basic workstation. These small purchases help you meet Amazon’s inbound requirements and keep fulfilment accurate.

8 ways to save money on Amazon Seller costs

1. Get a Professional Seller account: once volume is regular, AU$49.95/month is usually more economical than per-item fees, and it includes tools that help you sell. 
2. Choose the right product category: referral fees vary by category; correct classification matters for your margin. 
3. Estimate the right product size: FBA charges hinge on measured dimensions. Measure accurately and use lightweight packaging to reduce dimensional weight costs. 
4. Partner with a 3PL: a local third-party logistics provider can reduce inbound and carrier costs and manage stock before it reaches Amazon.
   Pattern operates a Melbourne distribution capability and offers managed fulfilment for brands selling into Australia. 
5. Keep track of your inventory: slow-moving stock leads to storage and long-term fees. Review aged inventory quarterly and remove or promote items that aren’t selling.
6. Invest in free/recycled packaging material: re-use boxes where practical to cut costs and reduce waste. Just ensure packaging still meets Amazon’s standards.
7. Sell products in bundles: combining complementary items into a single listing reduces per-order referral and fulfilment fees and can increase average order value.
8. Negotiate with your carriers: whether you ship to customers or to Amazon inbound, ask couriers (Australia Post, Toll/StarTrack, Sendle and regional carriers) for discounts based on volume. Amazon also has an Amazon Partner Carrier service, which can help keep costs down. 

Stop losing money on Amazon Selling costs today

Tight control of fees is how you protect margin and free up money to reinvest in growth, better listings, more advertising or larger inventory buys. Small operational improvements add up.

If you’d rather spend time growing the brand than wrestling with fee schedules and logistics, Pattern can help. We provide local fulfilment and managed services, marketplace management and optimisation, so brands can scale more efficiently. 

Get in touch with us today to discover how we can accelerate your ecommerce brand.

Frequently Asked Questions