Key takeaways
- Stamp duty, or transfer duty as it's called in NSW, is a tax that is paid when you buy property.
- It can add tens of thousands of dollars on top of the cost of your home loans, so it's worth calculating it beforehand so you're prepared.
- In NSW, eligible first home buyers can get a transfer duty exemption or concession on new or existing homes valued under $1 million and vacant land under $450,000.
How much is stamp duty in NSW?
In NSW, transfer or stamp duty is one of the bigger costs that come with buying a property. Stamp duty can add tens of thousands of dollars to your budget. You can use the NSW stamp duty calculator below to estimate this cost.
How to use the NSW stamp duty calculator
- Enter your property value (or an estimate).
- Pick your state or territory.
- Select Live-in (if you're buying a home), Investment (for an investment property) or Vacant land (if building on a vacant lot).
- If you've never owned a home before select Yes for First Home Buyer (you may get a stamp duty discount).
The results of the stamp duty calculator are a guide only and may not take into consideration every exemption and concession available to you.
How is stamp duty calculated?
Stamp duty is calculated on the total dutiable value of the property. This is usually the price you pay for the property or the market value of the property - whichever is higher.
The rates and thresholds for the 2026/2027 financial year (from 1 July 2026) are outlined below. Revenue NSW adjusts them each year in line with CPI changes.
| Value of the property subject to the transaction | Rate of duty |
|---|---|
| $0 - $18,000 | $1.25 for every $100 (or part) of the value (minimum $20) |
| $18,001 - $38,000 | $225 plus $1.50 for every $100 (or part of) over $18,000 |
| $38,001 - $103,000 | $525 plus $1.75 for every $100 (or part of) over $38,000 |
| $103,001 - $387,000 | $1,662 plus $3.50 for every $100 (or part of) over $103,000 |
| $387,001 - $1,290,000 | $11,602 plus $4.50 for every $100 (or part of) over $387,000 |
| Over $1,290,000 | $52,237 plus $5.50 for every $100 (or part of) over $1,290,000 |
| Premium Property Duty: over $3,870,000 (residential property only) | $194,137 plus $7.00 for every $100 over $3,870,000 |
NSW Stamp duty exemptions for first home buyers
The First Home Buyers Assistance scheme provides first home buyers with exemptions from transfer duty (stamp duty) on new and existing homes:
- New homes. If you are buying a new home worth less than $800,000 you pay no stamp duty (if eligible). If the home is valued between $800,000 and $1 million you can get a discount.
- Existing homes. If you are a first home buyer purchasing an existing home worth less than $800,000 you pay no stamp duty (if eligible). If the home is valued between $800,000 and $1 million you can get a discount.
- Vacant land. If you buy vacant land under $350,000 then you pay no stamp duty. Between $350,000 and $450,000 you can get a discount on the duty.
New home - stamp duty
| Purchase Price | Stamp duty (new home) | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| $650,000 | $0 | $23,779 |
| $700,000 | $0 | $26,029 |
| $850,000 | $9,882.25 | $22,896.75 |
| $900,000 | $19,764.50 | $15,264.50 |
Existing home - stamp duty
| Purchase Price | Stamp duty (existing home) | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| $650,000 | $0 | $23,779 |
| $700,000 | $0 | $26,029 |
| $750,000 | $0 | $28,279 |
| $850,000 | $9,882.25 | $22,896.75 |
Who is eligible?
To qualify, you need to:
- Be purchasing a new or existing home, or vacant land, in NSW
- Be over 18 and a permanent resident or citizen
- Have never owned or co-owned a property before
- Meet the requirements for living in the property
"The First Home Buyer's Assistance Scheme in NSW has specific criteria around how you use the property you buy. It's important to be across the eligibility criteria before you get the shock of thousands of dollars added to your expenses.
To be eligible for the NSW stamp duty exemption or concessions, you (or one of the eligible buyers) must move into the home within 12 months of settlement. You/they must live in the property as your main place of residence with at least 12 continuous months. Unless you're part of the Australian Defence Force, as the residential requirements do not then apply."
More questions about stamp duty in NSW
-
In NSW, the purchaser of the property or the transferee is liable to pay stamp duty. The purchaser or transferee becomes liable when the sale or transfer takes place.
-
Stamp duty becomes payable within three months from the date when the sale or transfer took place. But most buyers pay it at settlement day. Your conveyancer will help you organise this payment.
-
Revenue NSW accepts payment in person, via BPAY, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), mail or advance payment.
-
In NSW you still have to pay stamp duty even if your parents give you their old house for free. Stamp duty is calculated based on an estimate of the property's current market value.
-
If your sale transfer is rescinded, the transfer is no longer liable for duty. You can apply for a refund on the NSW Revenue website.
-
There are other fees that come with stamp duty including a transfer fee and a mortgage registration fee.
More helpful links and guides
Compare finder's cheapest home loans
Here are some of the cheapest home loans in our home loan database.
Looking for other options? Check out these similar products.
How we picked theseWhat is Finder Score?
The Finder Score crunches 7,000 home loans across 120+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.
To provide a Score, we compare like-for-like loans. So if you're comparing the best home loans for cashback, you can see how each home loan stacks up against other home loans with the same borrower type, rate type and repayment type. We also take into consideration the amount of cashback offered when calculating the Score so you can tell if it's really worth it.
-
Finder writers are subject matter experts and use primary sources, in-depth research and interviews with other experts to ensure you're getting accurate, up-to-date information. Articles are fact checked in line with our editorial guidelines.
Richard Whitten is Finder’s Senior Money Editor, with over eight years of experience in home loans, property, credit cards and personal finance. His insights appear in top media outlets like Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine, and the Herald Sun, and he frequently offers expert commentary on television and radio, helping Australians navigate mortgages and property ownership. Richard started his career in education and textbook publishing in South Korea. He holds multiple industry certifications, including a Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking (RG 206) and Tier 1 and Tier 2 certifications (RG 146), as well as a Bachelor of Education from the University of Sydney and a Graduate Certificate in Communications from Deakin University. See full bio
- Home loans
- Credit cards
- Personal finance
- Money-saving tips
Sarah is the author of How to Raise Rich Kids. With over 20 years of experience in property, finance and investment journalism, she is a trusted expert whose insights regularly appear across television, radio and print media, including Sunrise, Channel 7 News, Bloomberg and Yahoo! Finance. She has previously served as managing editor for Your Investment Property and Australian Broker. Her expert advice has been shared in the media over 4,000 times. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, which complies with ASIC standards. See full bio
- Home loans
- Personal finance
- Budgeting and money-saving tips
- Managing the cost of living
Get rewarded $$ for switching with Finder Rewards
Find a better deal, save on your bills and get a free gift card. Sign up to be the first to hear about new Finder Rewards.
More guides on Finder
-
Stamp duty in the Northern Territory
Everything you need to know about stamp duty in the NT and how it’s calculated.
-
Stamp duty in South Australia
Here’s everything you need to know about stamp duty in South Australia and how it’s calculated.
-
Stamp duty in Tasmania
Everything you need to know about stamp duty in Tasmania and how it’s calculated.
-
Queensland stamp duty calculator
Everything you need to know about stamp duty in Queensland and how it’s calculated.
-
Stamp duty in the ACT
Everything you need to know about stamp duty in the ACT and how it’s calculated.
-
Stamp duty in WA
Everything you need to know about how much stamp duty you'll pay when you buy a home in Western Australia.
-
Stamp duty Victoria
Your complete guide to stamp duty in Victoria, including new discounts that could save homebuyers up to $27,500.
Do I need to pay GST for Stamp duty?
Hi Yves,
Thanks for your question.
You are not liable for goods and services tax (GST) when you sell your home. You also cannot claim GST credits on any costs associated with buying or selling it. This means, you cannot claim GST on stamp duty.
Cheers,
Annsy
I live in Victoria ive recently sold and planning to purchase a place in NSW . With stump duty in the state do you have to pay on the purchase as well as the sale of a property there? Thanks
Hi Brad,
Thanks for your question.
Stamp duty is a tax set by each Australian state or territory that is imposed on the purchase of assets including property.
In NSW, the purchaser of the property or the transferee is liable to pay stamp duty. The purchaser or transferee becomes liable when the sale or transfer takes place.
Cheers,
Anndy
Is the stamp duty on farming or rural land the same as for other real estate purchases?
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your question.
In NSW, the stamp duty on land depends on its intended purpose. NSW offers stamp duty exemptions for Primary production land. These are land that are dominantly intended for primary production. The exemption can be applied whether or not it is you that is undertaking the primary production activity.
You may have to contact the Office of State Revenue in NSW if you need help in identifying how much stamp duty you should be paying.
Cheers,
Anndy
I live in NSW and have an investment property (bought in 2014). I never lived in that property and never claimed FHOG grant.
If I buy new apartment as an owner-occupied property , can I apply for stamp duty exemption and FHOG grant?
Hi Joe,
Thanks for your question.
There are a number of circumstances where a buyer in NSW could be exempt from stamp duty tax for new homes. One criterion is if the value of the home is under $550,000. There are also concessions available for new homes with a value of $550,000 – $650,000. For more information on how to get stamp duty exemption, you can check our guide on this page.
For FHOG, an eligible home will be located in Australia and will be a new or established house, home unit, flat or other types of self-contained fixed dwelling that meets local planning standards. The exact specifications will depend on your state. Please read more about FHOG eligibility criteria for more information.
You may want to directly get in touch with the government agency in your area that handles FHOG to discuss your eligibility.
Cheers,
Anndy
We are buying a house, the price we are paying is less than the valuation of the home – will the stamp duty be calculated off the value price or the sale price?
Hi Madi,
Thanks for your question.
For NSW, QLD, Tasmanian, Victorian, Northern Territory and Western Australian, stamp duty is calculated based on the greater amount out of the price paid for the property and the market value or unencumbered value of the property.
Cheers,
Anndy