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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337 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    BrianSeptember 25, 2014

    If my wife and her sister get their names put onto their mothers deeds to her house will they have to pay stamp duty? The house is in Queensland. Their mother is on a pension and will be moving into a nursing home in the near future.

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleySeptember 26, 2014Finder

      Hi Brian,

      Thanks for your question.

      Unfortunately, if they intend to share titles on the property then stamp duty could be payable. There are a few transfer exemptions and concessions in place.

      However, if they are to inherit the property, there is another tax called capital gains tax that could be payable. To see if any exemptions could apply, you may need to speak to an accountant.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    PhilSeptember 23, 2014

    Hi,
    My partner and I have inherited half of a property in NSW.
    The property value is $900,000.
    We intend to buy out the remaining half and live in the residence.
    Does stamp duty apply? If so on the total value or the value we are buying out?
    Thanks

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleySeptember 26, 2014Finder

      Hi Phil,

      Thanks for your question.

      While stamp duty doesn’t apply to inherited property, capital gains tax may apply. Generally, the capital gains tax will apply to the value that you inherited. Please refer to ATO’s guide about deceased estates and capital gains tax for more information.

      Please get in touch with your trusted accountant or conveyancer regarding this.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    JOHNSeptember 22, 2014

    does Stamp Duty apply to both buying and selling REAL ESTATE

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleySeptember 23, 2014Finder

      Hi John,

      Thanks for your question.

      Generally stamp duty isn’t payable when you sell a property, but in most cases it’s payable when you buy a property.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    PaulSeptember 19, 2014

    My brother and I inherited 50/50 share of family home and shares. Home $1.3 mil and shares $800,000. My brother can keep the shares and I want to buy him out and keep the home so will get a mortgage for the difference $250,000 in the home and give to my brother. I have never taken out a previous mortgage or bought property. Do I still pay stamp duty as this will be a mortgage on my first property.

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleySeptember 22, 2014Finder

      Hi Paul,

      Thanks for your question.

      Some first home buyers receive a stamp duty exemption or concession, depending on which state you live in. As an inherited property, there may be some exemptions in place too.

      I’d recommend that you visit your local Office of State Revenue’s website to see which exemptions/concessions apply to you.

      All the best,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    JohnSeptember 16, 2014

    Does a person buying a residential apartment in nsw off the plan pay stamp duty within six months of the exchange of contracts. Or is that person liable to pay stamp duty when the building is completed and the balance of purchase price is paid.

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleySeptember 16, 2014Finder

      Hi John,

      Thanks for your question.

      The rules are different state by state. For example, in NSW, a sale of transfer of land (including land that you intend to make improvements on) is generally liable for stamp duty.

      Please see below the section I’ve taken from their website,
      “When purchasing property that is ‘off the plan’ the duty is required to be paid within three months of;
      – The completion of the agreement
      – The assignment of the whole or any part of the purchaser’s interest under the agreement
      – The expiration of 12 months after the date of the agreement, whichever occurs first.”

      Cheers,
      Shirley

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