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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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Product NameUnloan Variable Home Loan
Interest Rate Typevariable rate
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Interest Rate p.a.5.99%
Comp. Rate p.a.5.90%
Minimum Loan Amount$10,000
Maximum Loan Amount $10,000,000
Maximum Loan Term30 years
Maximum LVR 80%
Loan Redraw FacilityYes
Offset AccountNo
Split Loan FacilityNo
Fixed Interest OptionNo
Loan PortableNo
Extra Repayments Yes
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Maximum LVR 90%
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Minimum Loan Amount$10,000
Maximum Loan Amount $10,000,000
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Maximum Loan Term30 years
Maximum LVR 90%
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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
    JaniceSeptember 7, 2014

    Could I ask the seller to pay the stamp duty rather than him accepting a lower offer on the price of the house to reduce my outlay. First time buyer in SA.

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleySeptember 8, 2014Finder

      Hi Janice,

      Thanks for your question.

      You can ask the seller to pay stamp duty on your behalf, though it’s recommended that you have a legal arrangement in place.

      It’s also a good idea to speak to your agent about this arrangement.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    DonnaSeptember 6, 2014

    If the land is in your husbands name but the loan is in both names. Will I have to pay stamp duty to be put in my name only. We have been married for 14 years

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleySeptember 8, 2014Finder

      Hi Donna,

      Thanks for your question.

      If your husband wishes to transfer the title of the property/land to your name online, then the person obtaining the property/land is generally liable for stamp duty.

      If you both share titles on a property, stamp duty is usually not payable if the property is to be your matrimonial home.

      Hope this helps,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    dainaAugust 31, 2014

    If a settlement date is not specified as it is to coincide with the sale of the purchasers house, how much time does the purchaser have to pay stamp duty? eg if the settlement takes place 6 months after signing the contract is that when stamp duty is payable?

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleySeptember 1, 2014Finder

      Hi Daina,

      Thanks for your question.

      Stamp duty is generally due within 30 days of settlement of the property.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    LindaAugust 29, 2014

    Due to lack of finance my partners name needs to come off a new contract in the Northern Territory.

    Will we be charged extra Stamp Duty to remove their name from the contract to me owning 100%?

    Thanks.

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleySeptember 1, 2014Finder

      Hi Linda,

      Thanks for your question.

      Generally stamp duty is liable if you transfer the property between family members. There are few exceptions to this, including a marriage breakdown, or the property is a gift.

      Please note that the person receiving the property is liable to pay stamp duty.

      All the best,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    JamieAugust 28, 2014

    Hi, I like to know how much stamp duty should I pay if this existing house is transferred into my name by the way of gift from my son. Am I entitled to First Home Concession in QLD? The house is valued at $520000. The house will be my primary resident and I am the 1st home owner.

      AvatarFinder
      ElizabethAugust 28, 2014Finder

      Hi Jamie,

      There are a few requirements you’ll need to meet in order to be eligible for the First Home Concession in Queensland. You’ll need to have never held an interest in residential land anywhere in the world, have never claimed the first home vacant land concession, need to be buying a home valued under $550,000
      and you need to live in the home as your principal place of residence. You meet the final two requirements so it’s the first two you’ll need to check.

      As for the amount of stamp duty you’ll have to pay, A $8,750 stamp duty concession applies for homes up to $505,000, and a phasing-out rebate applies for values up to $550,000. For more information on your eligibility and how much you will pay you can get in contact with the QLD Office of State Revenue.

      Hope this has helped.

      Thanks,

      Elizabeth

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