Best Auction Houses & Dealers in Australia
The best Australian auction houses compared — Smith & Singer, Leonard Joel, Leski, and Shapiro. Aboriginal art, Australian paintings, jewellery, fees, and how to sell at auction in Australia.
The Australian Auction Market
Australia has a vibrant, well-established auction market centred on Melbourne and Sydney, with particular depth in Australian Impressionist and modern painting, Aboriginal art, fine jewellery, and collectibles.
Smith & Singer — which operated as Sotheby's Australia until 2020 — is one of the country's premium fine-art houses, handling important Aboriginal, Australian, and European art. Leonard Joel, founded in Melbourne, is among Australia's oldest and most broadly based houses, while Leski specialises in collectibles, sporting memorabilia, and numismatics. In Sydney, Shapiro Auctioneers is a respected boutique house for fine art, 20th-century design, and jewellery.
Buyer's premiums at Australian houses are typically around 25% and are quoted inclusive of GST (Goods and Services Tax). Sellers benefit from a strong domestic collector base, especially for Australian and Aboriginal art, which usually achieves its best results at home.
Australian auction houses at a glance
9 houses compared by city, age, specialties and buyer's premium. Seller commission is usually agreed per consignment, so ask each house for a quote.
| Auction house | City | Founded | Known for | Buyer's premium | Online bidding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davidson Auctions | Sydney | 2002 | Fine Art & Paintings | 22% incl. GST for domestic bidders (22% excl. GST for international bi... | Yes |
| Deutscher and Hackett | Melbourne | 2006 | Fine Art & Paintings | 25% of hammer price, including GST | Yes |
| Gibson's Auctions | Melbourne | 2018 | Antique Furniture, Fine Art & Paintings, Fine Jewelry & Gems | 25% of hammer price incl. GST (per conditions of sale); online surchar... | Yes |
| Lawsons | Sydney | 1884 | Fine Art & Paintings, Antique Furniture, Fine Jewelry & Gems | 25% incl. GST for timed online sales; 27% incl. GST for live-call auct... | Yes |
| Leonard Joel | Melbourne | 1919 | Fine Art & Paintings, Fine Jewelry & Gems, Antique Furniture | 25% of hammer price inclusive of GST | Yes |
| Leski Auctions | Melbourne | 1973 | Vintage Collectibles, Books & Manuscripts, Coins & Currency | 19.5% + GST | Yes |
| Noble Numismatics | Sydney | 1976 | Coins & Currency | 20% plus GST on the premium (22% of hammer price in total) | Yes |
| Shapiro Auctioneers | Sydney | 1995 | Fine Art & Paintings, Fine Jewelry & Gems | 25% of hammer, including GST | Yes |
| Smith & Singer | Sydney | 2020 | Fine Art & Paintings, Fine Jewelry & Gems | 25% of hammer including GST (online-platform conditions: 22% plus GST) | Yes |
Davidson Auctions
Auction HouseSydney art auction house in Annandale, holding specialist Australian and international art sales plus estate auctions since 2002.
Deutscher and Hackett
Auction HouseMelbourne and Sydney fine art auction house specialising in important Australian, Indigenous and international art since 2006.
Gibson's Auctions
Auction HouseMelbourne multi-department auction house in Armadale, known for single-owner collections, furniture, art and decorative arts.
Lawsons
Auction HouseSydney auction house founded in 1884, selling art, jewellery, furniture, decorative arts, wine and NSW number plates.
Leonard Joel
Auction HouseAustralia's oldest auction house, established 1919, specializing in fine art, jewellery, and distinguished private collections.
Leski Auctions
Auction HouseMelbourne's specialist in Australiana, historical documents, sporting memorabilia, and world philately since 1973.
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Noble Numismatics
Auction HouseSydney specialist auctioneer of rare coins, banknotes and medals, founded in 1976 and holding three major sales a year.
Shapiro Auctioneers
Auction HouseChippendale, Sydney auction house for Australian and international art, design and fine jewellery, led by Andrew Shapiro.
Smith & Singer
Auction HouseAustralian fine art auction house in Sydney and Melbourne, formerly Sotheby's Australia, trading as Smith & Singer since 2020.
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