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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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Minimum Loan Amount$10,000
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Offset AccountNo
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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
    SherylJanuary 28, 2015

    Hi. My mum is going to be going into a nursing home. She has a house which was willed to me in 1988 when it was purchased. It is in Victoria. Now we are told that if she was to transfer this house to me before her death we would have to pay stamp duty. Is this true? Also is stamp duty payable for the house upon her death?
    Thanking you,
    Regards, Sheryl.

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleyJanuary 28, 2015Finder

      Hi Sheryl,

      Thanks for your question.

      Generally a transfer of property to another family member incurs stamp duty.

      However, if the property is transferred from a deceased estate to a beneficiary it is generally exempt from stamp duty under section 42 of the Duties Act 2000 in Victoria.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    OliverJanuary 22, 2015

    Hi,

    I have a question. If A and B have a partnership (50/50) split over a house. A wants to sell his 50% interest to B, so B will end up with 100% of the property.

    What is payable on the value of the 50% transferred, does the state revenue office consider that the transfer is from A and B, to B, so that stamp duty would be payable on the full value of the property, and not just the 50%?

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleyJanuary 23, 2015Finder

      Hi Oliver,

      Thanks for your question.

      Please note that stamp duty regulations are different from state to state. In NSW, a proportional rate of stamp duty is generally payable if the property is not to be used at your matrimonial home.

      You can see NSW’s taxes, duties, levies, and royalties guide for more information.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    MaureenJanuary 14, 2015

    My father has just died and now the house which was in his name only is to be left to my mother in the will with the Public Trustee NSW.
    It was to be left to me if she had passed away.
    She is 85 and it is in her will to come to me.
    Now when the house is signed over to her she wants to put it in my name straight away.
    Do I have to pay stamp duty on this.?
    Someone told me I would have to get a valuation and if the house was valued at 700k I would have to pay approx. 27k stamp duty.
    My husband and I have never bought a home as have lived at the same property the last 35 years.
    Can you please advise what would be the best, cheapest option.?

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleyJanuary 14, 2015Finder

      Hi Maureen,

      Thanks for your question.

      Please note that we can only provide general advice regarding stamp duty. It’s advisable for you to speak to a solicitor or conveyancer regarding the best or cheapest option for your situation.

      When transferring property to a family member stamp duty generally applies. A property valuation is also required to be conducted. Since the property isn’t new, you might not be eligible for any first home buyer benefits.

      All the best with this,
      Shirley

      Default Gravatar
      MaureenJanuary 15, 2015

      Stamp duty is a lot of money we do not have would we have to pay stamp duty if she gave us the house as gift.

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleyJanuary 15, 2015Finder

      Hi Maureen,

      Generally gifts of property still attract a duty, though there are some exemptions or concessions that apply to: pensioners, deceased estates, first home buyers, family farms, young farms, main residences and off-the-plan sales.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    RayDecember 21, 2014

    I am looking to purchase vacant land (build within 24 months) on my own for the price of the land, roughly $370k (land only) and my name only on the title and mortgage.

    My question is if my partner is to put her name on the title to get the second part of the mortgage (building phase) in terms of a joint mortgage, will we need to pay stamp duty? we are both first home buyers and also would there be additional costs from the banks for adding another mortgage and name onto the title and mortgage?

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleyDecember 22, 2014Finder

      Hi Ray,

      Thanks for your question.

      Please note that regulations for stamp duty vary according to which state the property is held. In NSW if you’re purchasing land only then land tax could apply but there are a number of NSW land tax exemptions and concessions.

      If the property is to be your matrimonial home then you may be eligible for an exemption if it is used to finance the purchase of a residence or it is to be your matrimonial home. There are lodgement and land title fees that you’ll need to consider. For more information, please get in touch with your local Office of State Revenue.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    AnnDecember 17, 2014

    Hi,
    My husbands father has recently passed away and him and his brother are the benefactors of his will in which the family home has been left to them. One of our options is to agree on the value and buy my husbands brothers share of the home so that we can have as an investment property.
    My question is because it is an inheritance do we have to pay stamp duty on the property if we purchase my brother-in-laws half?

    Kind regards
    Ann

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleyDecember 17, 2014Finder

      Hi Ann,

      Thanks for your question.

      This enquiry is best directed at your conveyancer or solicitor. Stamp duty may only apply to your portion of the property and not the full value of the property, though this depends on how your solicitor approaches it.

      Please note that there may be some legal fees involved too when adding your name to the property title.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

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