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Stamp Duty Calculator

Our stamp duty calculator can help you estimate your costs and find out if you're eligible for an exemption or discount in your state or territory.

Stamp duty is one of the biggest costs you'll pay when buying property in Australia. Stamp duty is a form of tax charged by the state government, and it applies when you buy a property, but not when you sell. Our stamp duty calculator can help you work out how much stamp duty you'll pay when buying a home or investment property.

Luckily, first home buyers in most states and territories can qualify for one-off discounts or concessions, depending on the type of property you buy and the purchase price.

Stamp duty calculator

To use this calculator select your state or territory, enter the value of your property (the full value, not your loan amount), choose the type of purchase (home to live in, investment or land) and select yes or no if you're a first home buyer or not.

Stamp duty exemptions and concessions by state/territory

Your stamp duty cost varies depending on where you live. Governments update these costs every few years, depending on state budgets and tax policy.

Click your state or territory below to find out about stamp duty exemptions.

Your stamp duty is determined by several factors beyond where you live. These are:

  • The cost of the property. The more you pay for your property the higher your stamp duty cost will be.
  • Whether you're a first home buyer. If you've never owned a property before then you may quality for a concession (discount) on your stamp duty or even a full exemption. Pensioners and seniors may also qualify for a discount or exemption.
  • The type of home you buy. The amount of stamp duty that you will be charged may depend on the type of property you purchase, with concessions or exemptions for buying new or off-the-plan properties.

What is stamp duty?

Stamp duty in Australia is a state/territory level tax levied on large transactions such as property purchases, cars or other assets. Historically, stamp duty was levied on the signing of various legal documents, hence the word stamp. Stamp duty is sometimes referred to as transfer duty.

How do I pay my stamp duty?

Open door in a house.

Many buyers pay stamp duty at settlement. Depending on your state or territory, it may be due on settlement day, and in other states you have around 30 days from settlement to organise the payment.

Your lawyer or conveyancer can help you with the logistics of paying stamp duty and will advise you of deadlines. Your conveyancer can also help you organise your paperwork when applying for a concession or exemption.

Can I borrow stamp duty with my loan?

Depending on your borrowing power and the size of your deposit, you may be able to have the amount of stamp duty added to your loan. This is known as having your stamp duty capitalised into the principal of the loan.

This means you are borrowing the money to pay stamp duty, so you'll pay interest on that amount for 30 years.

Keep in mind that this may increase your loan to value (LVR) ratio, which could require you to pay a higher Lenders Mortgage Insurance premium, if your loan is above 80% of the property's overall value.

Stamp duty in unique cases

Do I have to pay stamp duty on vacant land?

All transfers of land come with these costs, which you see by using the stamp duty calculator above. The exception to this is through the various concessions and exemptions available from each state, particularly for first home buyers.

Do I have to pay stamp duty on off-the-plan property?

Yes, stamp duty is still payable on off-the-plan property, but keep in mind there are concessions and exemptions available in different states.

Do I have to pay stamp duty on a loan I am refinancing?

In most cases you will have to pay stamp duty again even if you are refinancing. However, there are situations in which you can avoid paying stamp duty. For example, if the names of the borrowers are the same and the amount of the loan is the same, there might be a chance you could avoid paying stamp duty. In some cases, you might also have to refinance with the same lender to avoid this cost.

If you're borrowing more when refinancing (say, a home loan top up) you may have to pay stamp duty on any amount above the original loan.

Note that in some situations you may have to pay the fees but you can then apply for a refund from the lender. Thus, it pays to make sure you do your research before deciding to refinance because any savings you incur from a lower rate might be completely obliterated if you have to pay stamp duty again. In this case, refinancing may simply not be worth the hassle.

Divorce and stamp duty

Stamp duty isn’t payable if one of you is transferring the title to a home or land to another. However, you can only save on stamp duty if the transfer is done so you can obey a court order. The court must be able to know what assets are owned by each of the parties. This includes all of your assets like land, bank accounts and superannuation. It may be necessary to hire an expert to value an asset.

It’s important to know that parenting is seen as a very important contribution. If the marriage has been a long one, it is often seen as equal to financial contributions. Usually, the court gives the party whose financial future is not as good as the other some extra part of the property owned by the parties.

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Comp. Rate p.a.5.90%
Minimum Loan Amount$10,000
Maximum Loan Amount $10,000,000
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Maximum LVR 80%
Loan Redraw FacilityYes
Offset AccountNo
Split Loan FacilityNo
Fixed Interest OptionNo
Loan PortableNo
Extra Repayments Yes
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Maximum Loan Amount $10,000,000
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Maximum Loan Term30 years
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Richard Whitten is a money editor at Finder, and has been covering home loans, property and personal finance for 6+ years. He has written for Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine and Homely; and has appeared on various radio shows nationwide. He holds a Certificate IV in mortgage broking and finance (RG 206), a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification and a Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products (RG 146) certification. See full bio

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337 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    DanFebruary 20, 2015

    I was left a quater of a house when i was 12 in a will. I never lived in that property and it was later sold. I am now BUYING my first home will i still get the first home buyers stamp duty exemption in qld

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleyFebruary 23, 2015Finder

      Hi Dan,

      Thanks for your question.

      If you held an interest in residential property before 1 July 2000, regardless of how the property was used, generally you will not be eligible for the exemption.

      If you’d like more information, please speak to the Queensland Office of State Revenue.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    MichelleFebruary 20, 2015

    My husband passed away 2 years ago aged 55. I am struggling with my Mortgage & wondering if I can do a quit claim deed as I want to place my son’s name on the Mortgage & remove my husbands.
    I am on a disability pension & wondering if I would be entitled to exemption on any stamp duty? My son has now just moved in with me aged 37.
    I wish to place all in his name. He has no savings & only receives he weekly wages. I am on a lot of morphine & the Banks are never honest.
    I am in Melbourne Victoria Thanks

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleyFebruary 20, 2015Finder

      Hi Michelle,

      Thanks for your question.

      Typically if you’re transferring the property title into your son’s name completely, and thus removing your name as well, then your son will be liable to pay stamp duty as he is the receiver.

      If you intend to share the titles of the property, stamp duty is generally liable. There are a number of pensioner concessions available that you may want to consider.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

      Default Gravatar
      YiMarch 22, 2015

      My parents are pensioners and they want to place my name on the house for refinancing because of a lower interest rate. We live together for more than 10 years in that house. Do I need to pay stamp duty for adding name in this case? I am in NSW thanks.

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleyMarch 23, 2015Finder

      Hi Yi,

      Thanks for your question.

      Typically you do need to pay stamp duty if you’re added on a title of the property for your portion.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

      Default Gravatar
      YiMarch 23, 2015

      If the current value of the house is 750k, how much stamp duty I need to pay?

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleyMarch 24, 2015Finder

      Hi Yi,

      Thanks for your question.

      According to our calculator the stamp duty payable is $29,240.00. Please be mindful that this does not take into account your personal situation.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    NikhilFebruary 19, 2015

    Hi,

    I am first Home buyer. Do i pay the stamp duty if i am buying the existing home in NSW which is no the brand new home ?

    Thanks

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleyFebruary 19, 2015Finder

      Hi Nikhil,

      Thanks for your question.

      Yes you are required to pay stamp duty if you buy an existing or established property in NSW.

      The stamp duty exemption applies to new or off the plan properties.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    RosalieFebruary 18, 2015

    My husband passed away. I left the family home and my son has stayed living there. I would like to transfer the title into my sons name. Will we have to pay stamp duty?

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleyFebruary 19, 2015Finder

      Hi Rosalie,

      Thanks for your question.

      Your son will be liable to pay stamp duty upon the transfer.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    KateFebruary 17, 2015

    Hello,

    In Victoria, if the property is purchased at $605,000 are you entitled to a reduction in stamp duty for the initial $600,00?

    Thanks!

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleyFebruary 18, 2015Finder

      Hi Kate,

      Thanks for your question.

      The duty reduction only applies where you buy a principal place of residence valued at not more than $600,000 and where the settlement date is on or after 1 July 2011.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

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