Mortgage registration fees

You have to pay a mortgage registration fee when you settle your loan or when refinancing. The average cost is around $173.

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Richard Whitten

&

Sarah Megginson

Updated

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A mortgage registration fee is charged by state and territory governments to register the security for a home loan. It officially registers the physical property as the security on a home loan.

This process is important, because it allows future buyers to check any claims that exist on a property. This fee is not avoidable when buying a home with a mortgage.

A fee is paid both by the buyer when a home loan is established, and by a seller when a loan is discharged.

How much are mortgage registration fees in 2023/24?

The cost of the mortgage registration fee varies depending on which state or territory you live in. They are updated each financial year. Here’s what you can expect to pay in 2023/24:

  • ACT: $166
  • New South Wales: $165.40
  • Northern Territory: $165
  • Queensland: $224.32
  • South Australia: $187
  • Tasmania: $152.19
  • Victoria: $118.90 (electronic), $128.50 (paper)
  • Western Australia: $203

When do I pay this fee?

You typically pay the mortgage registration fee during settlement. This is the day when you officially own the property and start the mortgage. Or if you're refinancing, it's the day your new mortgage begins and you discharge your old one.

Your conveyancer should include the registration fee along with your other settlement costs like stamp duty and the conveyancer charges.

Are mortgage registration fees a big expense?

Home owners pay a registration fee when they refinance an existing loan or buy a house.

Mortgage registration fees are minimal compared with some of the other costs of a home loan, such as stamp duty, home loan fees and lenders mortgage insurance (LMI), but it's still important to factor them in at settlement time.

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Editor

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

Richard's expertise
Richard has written 562 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Home loans
  • Property
  • Personal finance
  • Money-saving tips
Sarah Megginson's headshot
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Head of editorial

As an authority on all things personal finance, Sarah Megginson is passionate about helping you save money and make money. She is an editor and money expert with 20 years’ experience and an extensive background in property and finance journalism. Sarah holds ASIC RG146-compliant Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, and she's a regular media commentator, appearing weekly on TV (Sunrise, Channel 7 news, Nine news), radio (KIIS FM, Triple M, 3AW, 2GB, 6PR) and in digital and print media. See full bio

Sarah's expertise
Sarah has written 192 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Home loans
  • Personal finance
  • Budgeting and money-saving tips
  • Managing the cost of living
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