Betfair commission in Australia, by state
Short answer: 8% on most Australian racing, 10% on NSW and ACT thoroughbreds, 6% on most sport and 10% on NRL. Betfair only charges it on what you win, market by market.
Commission is the cost of using the exchange, and it shows up in every lay you place. Here is what the rates are, how the charge is worked out, and how much difference a couple of percent makes.
Current Betfair commission rates (October 2026)
| Market | Rate | Note |
|---|---|---|
| NSW thoroughbred racing | 10% | Raised from 8% on 1 July 2017 (Racing NSW race field fees) |
| ACT thoroughbred racing | 10% | Same rate as NSW |
| VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, NT racing | 8% | Raised from 7% in March 2025 |
| International racing | 6% | Raised from 5% in March 2025 |
| NRL | 10% | Since 2020 |
| Other sport (AFL, soccer, tennis and so on) | 6% | Raised from 5% in March 2025 |
The state that matters is where the race is run, not where you live. A Randwick race is charged at 10% whether you are in Perth or Sydney. Harness and greyhound rates have moved separately in some states over the years, so for those, open the market on Betfair and read its Rules, where the market base rate is listed. Betfair can change rates, and the market rules are always the final word.
How commission is charged
- On net winnings, per market. Betfair adds up everything you won and lost in one market. If the total is a profit, commission is charged on that profit. If it is a loss, you pay nothing.
- Not on stakes. Placing a bet costs nothing. A lay that loses costs you its liability and no commission on top.
- The rate is a maximum. Betfair calls it the Market Base Rate. Some customers receive a discount on it; most people pay the full rate.
Example: in one race you win $50 on one lay and lose $20 on another. Your net is $30, so at 8% you pay $2.40, not 8% of $50.
How commission changes your lay stake
In matched betting you lay a selection to cover a bookmaker bet on it. The lay stake formula subtracts commission from the lay odds:
Lay stake = back stake x back odds / (lay odds minus commission)
Same bet, three commission rates: back $100 at 4.00, lay at 4.20.
| Commission | Lay stake | Liability | Result either way |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6% | $96.62 | $309.18 | minus $9.18 |
| 8% | $97.09 | $310.68 | minus $10.68 |
| 10% | $97.56 | $312.20 | minus $12.20 |
Checking the 8% row: if the horse wins, the bookmaker pays $300 profit and the lay costs $310.68, so minus $10.68. If it loses, the bookmaker bet loses $100 and the lay wins $97.09, less 8% commission ($7.77), so $89.32 and again minus $10.68. Moving from a VIC race to a NSW one costs about $1.50 more on this bet. Small per bet, but it is on every bet.
Commission on bonus bets
Commission hurts most when you convert a bonus bet, because the exchange side is the side you are relying on. Using the wrong rate leaves the two outcomes unbalanced, so one result pays less than you planned. Enter the market's actual rate into the bonus bet calculator or the matched betting calculator, or run the numbers through the Betfair commission calculator.
Keeping commission down
- Where you have a choice between races, a non NSW race is cheaper to lay than a NSW thoroughbred race.
- Lay at the tightest price you can get. A smaller gap between back and lay odds matters more than a percent of commission.
- Never set the calculator to 0%. It makes every offer look better than it is.
Where to go next
If laying is new to you, start with lay betting explained. The full method is on our matched betting in Australia guide, the offers each bookmaker runs are in the bonus bets hub, every tool is on the calculators page and the common questions are on the FAQ. To see it done on real offers, try the free five episode bootcamp or the 7 day free trial. You must be 18 or over.
Frequently asked questions
What is Betfair's commission in Australia?
Betfair calls it the Market Base Rate. As of October 2026 it is 8% on most Australian racing, 10% on NSW and ACT thoroughbred racing, 6% on international racing, 6% on most sport and 10% on NRL. The rate is a maximum and is charged on net winnings in each market.
Why is NSW commission higher on Betfair?
Racing NSW charges wagering operators higher race field fees, and Betfair raised the rate on Racing NSW races from 8% to 10% on 1 July 2017 to cover them. The ACT thoroughbred rate is also 10%.
Does Betfair charge commission on losing bets?
No. Commission is charged on your net winnings in a market. If you lose in a market, or your bets in it net out to a loss, you pay no commission on that market.
When did Betfair commission go up?
In March 2025 Betfair raised the rate on Australian racing from 7% to 8%, and on international racing and most sport from 5% to 6%. NSW and ACT racing stayed at 10%, and NRL had been 10% since 2020.
Where can I see the commission for a specific market?
Open the market on Betfair and read its Rules. The market base rate for that market is shown there. Check it for harness and greyhound races in particular, because those rates have changed separately in some states.
What is the Betfair turnover charge?
An extra charge that applies to a small group of very high volume customers. On Racing NSW markets it can apply in a week where you have $6,000 or more of back bet volume and your commission paid is low relative to that turnover. Ordinary matched betting volumes are well below this.
How does commission affect matched betting?
It reduces what you keep from a winning lay, so the lay stake has to be a little lower to balance both outcomes, and the qualifying loss is slightly bigger. Higher commission means a slightly worse result on every offer, so always enter the correct rate in your calculator.
Written by the YAUPICKS team. Last reviewed 18 October 2026. Rates are Betfair's published market base rates as reported at that date; the rules of each market are the final word.
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