[toast0]

You don't need to use a buyer's agent, but it's usually a good idea to have someone at less theoretically looking out for your interest. If you use the seller's agent, that one agent has a big conflict of interest. If you have a real estate attorney (which isn't very common in california, but may be in Australia), then I wouldn't see needing an agent as well.

[danieltillett]

Yes in Australia as a buyer you will have your own lawyer looking over the details once you buy. The problem with buyers agents is their interests are rarely aligned with your own.