First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Concessions by State (2026)

Last checked: 13 November 2026

For most first home buyers, stamp duty (also called transfer duty) is the biggest cost after the deposit. Every state and territory offers some kind of help for first home buyers, and in many cases you’ll pay no stamp duty at all. Unlike the First Home Owner Grant, some of these concessions apply to established homes too.

Stamp duty concessions at a glance

State	No stamp duty up to	Reduced duty up to	Applies to
NSW	$800,000	$1,000,000	New and existing homes
VIC	$600,000	$750,000	Established homes, new homes and vacant land
QLD	New homes and vacant land: no cap. Established homes: $700,000	Established homes: under $800,000	New and established homes
WA	$600,000	$800,000	New and established homes (vacant land has lower thresholds)
SA	No cap on new homes and vacant land to build on	Not applicable	New homes and vacant land only
TAS	The exemption for established homes up to $750,000 ended for transactions settling after 30 June 2026		Check current rules
ACT	No cap from 1 July 2026	Not applicable	Homes and vacant land (Home Buyer Concession Scheme)
NT	Concessions may apply. Check the Territory Revenue Office		Varies

Thresholds change regularly, so we always check the current rules for your purchase.

NSW: First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme

Eligible NSW first home buyers pay no stamp duty on new or existing homes valued up to $800,000, and a reduced rate on homes between $800,000 and $1,000,000. Above $1,000,000, the concession doesn’t apply. Vacant land you plan to build on has its own lower thresholds.

On an $800,000 home, that’s a saving of more than $30,000. You must buy the whole property, meet the first home buyer rules and live in the home as required. Your conveyancer usually lodges the application.

Victoria

Victorian first home buyers pay no duty on homes valued up to $600,000, and receive a concession between $600,000 and $750,000. This applies to established homes, new homes and vacant land. You must live in the home as your main residence for at least 12 months, starting within 12 months of settlement.

Queensland

Queensland has some of the most generous rules for new homes:

New home or vacant land to build your first home: a full concession, so no transfer duty, regardless of the value (for contracts signed from 1 May 2025)
Established first home: no duty if valued at $700,000 or less, and a concession up to $800,000 (a saving of up to $24,525)

From 1 August 2026, buyers must be Australian citizens, permanent residents or specified foreign retirees to be eligible for a home concession. Queensland also pays a $30,000 First Home Owner Grant on eligible new homes.

Western Australia

For transactions from 7 May 2026, WA first home buyers pay no duty on new or established homes valued up to $600,000, and a reduced rate up to $800,000. For vacant land, there’s no duty up to $450,000 and a reduced rate up to $550,000.

South Australia

South Australia offers full stamp duty relief for eligible first home buyers buying a new home, or vacant land to build a new home on, with no property value cap for contracts from 6 June 2024. There is no first home buyer stamp duty relief on established homes.

Tasmania

Tasmania’s stamp duty exemption for first home buyers of established homes up to $750,000 is not available for transactions settling after 30 June 2026. If you’re buying in Tasmania, check the current rules with the State Revenue Office before you sign. Tasmania currently pays a $20,000 First Home Owner Grant on new homes.

ACT

From 1 July 2026, the ACT’s Home Buyer Concession Scheme has no income threshold and no property value limit. If you’re eligible, you pay no stamp duty on a home or vacant land. You must not have owned property in the last five years, and you must live in the home for at least a year.

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory offers its own home buyer concessions, and a $50,000 HomeGrown Territory grant for new homes. Check the current stamp duty rules with the Territory Revenue Office before you buy.

Getting the paperwork right

Stamp duty concessions are usually claimed through your conveyancer or solicitor at settlement. We help you understand which concession applies, and we coordinate it with your loan, your 5% Deposit Scheme application and any First Home Owner Grant, which Myra from our team reviews before it’s sent to the lender.

FAQs

Can I get a stamp duty concession and the 5% Deposit Scheme?

Usually, yes. They’re run separately, by your state and by the federal government. Many first home buyers use both. See government guarantee home loans.

What if I’ve owned property before?

In most states you won’t qualify for first home buyer duty relief. Some states have other concessions for owner-occupiers, so it’s worth checking.

Can I rent the property out?

Not straight away. Each state requires you to live in the home for a set period. If you don’t, you may have to pay the duty back.

Does stamp duty apply to my loan or my purchase?

Stamp duty is a tax on the purchase. It’s paid at settlement and is separate from your loan, so you need to plan for it in your savings unless you’re exempt.

Official sources

Albert Waldron is a Credit Representative (407514) of Australian Finance Group Ltd, Australian Credit Licence 389087. This is general information only and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Please seek advice before acting. Government scheme, grant and stamp duty rules change often; eligibility is confirmed by the relevant government agency.