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Home loans

What is stamp duty?

Stamp duty is a tax you are required to pay on land or property purchases. It can be one of the biggest upfront costs when buying a home in Australia – so it pays to understand how it works.

Breaking down stamp duty.

Stamp duty is a one-time fee you are required to pay to the State Government when you purchase land or property in Australia. It serves to cover the administrative costs of the Government changing the title and ownership details.

The way stamp duty is calculated depends on where the purchase takes place and the value of the land or property. Each state and territory has its own stamp duty rules, rates, and exemptions – for example, many states waive or reduce stamp duty for first home buyers if they meet certain criteria. Off-the-plan or newly constructed properties may also have lower stamp duty.

Stamp duty applies to land and property bought for both owner-occupier and investment purposes, plus those received as gifts or through a trust.

How do I pay stamp duty?

Stamp duty is paid to the state or territory revenue office on settlement day – usually via direct debit, bank transfer, or credit card.

It is crucial that you meet your stamp duty payment deadline. An overdue payment could attract penalties, including fines or additional interest charges.

Using a conveyancer or solicitor? They may be able to organise for the funds to be transferred on your behalf on settlement day.

How do I calculate stamp duty?

The amount you pay for your stamp duty is calculated as a percentage of either the price you paid for the property or the property's market value (whichever is higher). Generally, the higher the property value, the more your stamp duty will be.

As stamp duty is an upfront cost, it is important that you include it in your calculations for your house deposit. You can use the calculator below to get a good indication of how much you will have to pay.

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Stamp duty by State or Territory.

Find out more about how stamp duty works in your State or Territory, and if you qualify for any concessions or exemptions.

ACT
NSW
NT
QLD
SA
TAS
VIC
WA

Estimate your stamp duty.

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Buying your first home?

Now that's exciting! If you need a hand learning the lingo or understanding the home buying process, check out the guides, tools, FAQs, and calculators available on our first home buyer hub.

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