How Much Does a Will Cost in Australia in 2026?

The Real Cost of Making a Will in Australia

One of the most common reasons Australians give for not having a Will is cost. But the truth is, there has never been more choice — or more affordable options — for creating a legally valid Will.

In 2026, you can create a Will for as little as $30 (DIY kit) or as much as $5,000+ (complex solicitor-drafted Will with testamentary trusts). The right option depends on your estate’s complexity, your budget, and how much guidance you need.

This guide breaks down every option available in Australia, with honest assessments of the pros and cons of each.

Option 1: Solicitor-Drafted Will ($600–$1,500+)

What You Get

A solicitor meets with you (in person or via video call), discusses your circumstances, drafts a tailored Will, and ensures it is properly executed. For complex estates, the solicitor may also draft testamentary trusts, Powers of Attorney, and other ancillary documents.

Typical Costs

These figures are based on surveys from state law societies and legal cost guides. Regional solicitors may charge less; CBD firms in Sydney or Melbourne may charge more.

Pros

• Personalised advice — A solicitor can identify issues you may not have considered, such as tax implications, family provision risks, or business succession
• Complex structures — Testamentary trusts, discretionary trusts, and multi-jurisdictional planning require specialist legal drafting
• Dispute prevention — A solicitor can help structure your Will to minimise the risk of a successful family provision claim
• Professional storage — Many solicitors store the original Will in their safe (though this can create problems if you change solicitors)

Cons

• Expensive — The upfront cost is significant, and every revision incurs additional fees
• Time-consuming — The process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks from initial consultation to signing
• Inconvenient — Requires appointments during business hours
• Updates discouraged — Because each revision costs money, people tend to delay updating their Will, which can be more dangerous than not having one at all
• No digital storage or executor notifications — Most solicitors hand you a paper Will in an envelope
• Variable quality — Not all solicitors specialise in estate planning, and a general practitioner may miss issues a specialist would catch

Best For

Complex estates, business owners, blended families with anticipated disputes, international assets, and anyone who needs testamentary trusts or specialist tax planning.

Option 2: Public Trustee ($100–$300)

What You Get

Each state has a Public Trustee (or equivalent) that offers Will-writing services, often at reduced rates. The Public Trustee may also offer to act as your executor.

Typical Costs

Pros

• Affordable — Often the cheapest professional option
• Accessible — Available in every state and territory
• Reliable — The Public Trustee will not die, lose capacity, or move overseas
• Free if they act as executor — Some Public Trustees draft Wills for free if you appoint them as executor

Cons

• Executor fees — If the Public Trustee acts as executor, they charge a fee (typically 3–5% of the estate value, which can be thousands of dollars on a modest estate)
• Impersonal — The service is often template-driven with limited personalisation
• Long wait times — Appointments can take weeks or months to secure
• Limited to simple estates — Public Trustees generally do not offer complex trust structures or specialist advice
• No digital vault or notifications — Same limitation as solicitors

Best For

People on a tight budget who have simple estates and are comfortable appointing the Public Trustee as executor.

Option 3: Online Will Platform ($99–$160)

What You Get

An online platform guides you through a series of questions and generates a legally valid, state-specific Will that you print, sign, and have witnessed. Some platforms include additional features like digital vaults, executor notifications, and lawyer review.

Typical Costs

Pros

• Affordable — Significantly cheaper than a solicitor
• Fast — Complete in 15 to 30 minutes
• Convenient — Available 24/7 from any device
• Guided — Step-by-step process reduces errors and ensures completeness
• Easy to update — Subscription models include unlimited updates at no extra cost
• Additional features — Platforms like ezyWill include digital vault, executor notifications, and lawyer review

Cons

• Not suitable for all estates — Complex structures, testamentary trusts, and multi-jurisdictional planning may require a solicitor
• Limited personalisation — While guided, the process uses templates rather than bespoke drafting
• Self-service — You make the decisions (though platforms provide guidance)
• Must be printed and witnessed — The Will is not valid until physically signed and witnessed according to your state’s rules

Best For

The majority of Australians — those with straightforward estates who want a legally valid, well-structured Will at an affordable price. ezyWill’s inclusion of lawyer review provides an additional layer of professional oversight.

For a detailed comparison of ezyWill and other online platforms, see our comparison pages.

Option 4: DIY Will Kit ($30–$50)

What You Get

A paper template (or downloadable PDF) with blank sections that you fill in by hand. Typically includes basic instructions and a generic template.

Typical Costs

Pros

• Very cheap — The lowest-cost option
• Immediate — Available at newsagents and online
• Simple — No technology required

Cons

• High error rate — DIY kits are the most common source of invalid Wills. Mistakes in wording, signing, or witnessing can render the entire Will invalid
• No guidance — You are on your own for every decision, from guardianship to residual estate distribution
• Not state-specific — Most kits are generic and do not account for state-specific requirements
• No updates — To change your Will, you need to start over with a new kit
• No storage or notifications — Paper documents can be lost, damaged, or destroyed
• No legal review — Nobody checks your work

Best For

Honestly? Very few people. The savings compared to an online platform ($50–$70) are not worth the significantly higher risk of errors that can invalidate the entire Will. We cover this in detail in our guide on DIY Will kits vs online Wills.

The Hidden Cost: Not Having a Will

Before comparing prices, consider the cost of having no Will at all.

When someone dies intestate (without a valid Will), the estate must go through a more expensive administration process:

• Letters of Administration instead of probate — more complex, more expensive, may require a surety bond
• Legal fees for the administrator — often higher than executor fees because there is no Will to guide the process
• Family disputes — intestate estates are far more likely to be contested, costing tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees
• Delayed distribution — the process takes significantly longer, leaving your family without access to funds when they need them most
• Intestacy distribution — the government formula may not reflect your wishes, potentially disinheriting partners, friends, or charities you cared about

For a full explanation, see our guide on understanding intestacy laws in Australia.

Cost Comparison Over 5 Years

Let us compare the total cost of each option over a 5-year period, assuming one update after a major life event (e.g., new child, change of executor).

* Public Trustee: Does not include executor fees (3–5% of estate) charged after death

** Safewill: Does not include digital vault, executor notifications, or lawyer review (not offered)

Over 5 years, ezyWill costs more in total than a one-off Safewill, but includes significantly more features — digital vault, executor notifications, estate administration tools, and lawyer review. For a detailed comparison, see our ezyWill vs Safewill comparison.

Which Option Is Right for You?

Choose a Solicitor If:

• Your estate includes business interests, company shares, or partnership assets
• You have assets in multiple countries
• You want testamentary trusts with complex structures
• You have a blended family with anticipated disputes
• Your estate is worth more than $5 million

Choose the Public Trustee If:

• You are on a very tight budget
• Your estate is simple
• You are comfortable appointing the Public Trustee as executor (and paying their fees after death)

Choose ezyWill If:

• You have a straightforward estate (the vast majority of Australians)
• You want unlimited updates included
• You value digital storage, executor notifications, and estate admin tools
• You want lawyer review for peace of mind
• You want to complete the process quickly and conveniently

Choose a DIY Kit If:

• We would not recommend it. The small saving is not worth the risk.

Take the First Step

The most expensive Will is the one you never make. Whatever option you choose, the important thing is to act now. Your family’s future should not depend on procrastination.

Create your Will with ezyWill for $99/year — or visit our pricing page to see all plans.

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Costs are approximate and based on publicly available data as of 2026. Actual costs may vary. For complex estates or specific legal questions, we recommend consulting a qualified solicitor. ezyWill provides legally structured Will templates tailored to Australian state and territory requirements.