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.

Key takeaways

  • Stamp duty is one of the biggest additional costs you'll have to pay when buying property in Australia.
  • It's a form of tax charged by the state government and only applies when you buy property, not sell.
  • First home buyers in most states and territories qualify for one-off exemptions or discounts.

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.

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.

Stamp duty rates 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 costs where you live.

How do I pay my stamp duty?

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?

Typically your stamp duty is an upfront cost, not rolled into your home loan. However, if you're not using your full borrowing power to buy the property, you may be able to use your loan to pay stamp duty. This is known as having your stamp duty capitalised into the principal of the loan.

It will depend on your borrowing power and the size of your deposit. But because you're borrowing money to pay for the duty, you'll be paying 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.

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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339 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    KellyJuly 17, 2015

    Buying a home in Victoria which we have been living in for the last 10 years…its not our first home purchase though…went to sign the COS today and the solicitor said we may be to apply for a reduce stamp duty or transfer? would this be right? Thank you.

      Default Gravatar
      BelindaJuly 20, 2015

      Hi Kelly,

      Thanks for your enquiry.

      I’ve emailed you with some information regarding stamp duty exemptions and concessions in Victoria.

      Kind regards,
      Belinda

    Default Gravatar
    AngelaJuly 16, 2015

    Is the stamp duty on apartments you buy off the plan in Melbourne less than buying a property of the same value that is already built?

      Default Gravatar
      JodieJuly 17, 2015

      Hi Angela,

      Thank you for reaching out to finder.com.au, a financial comparison website.

      Stamp Duty charges vary from state to state so it would be best to contact your local revenue office to discuss what your state’s charges are. Generally it is calculated on the value of the property, so if an already existing property is valued at around the same amount as one you are looking to purchase off a plan then the stamp duty may be similar.

      But it would be best to contact your local revenue office or a financial specialist to get a better understanding of how stamp duty is calculated in your state.

      Regards
      Jodie

    Default Gravatar
    jenniferJuly 14, 2015

    Hi I am 64 and about to purchase a home I do not require finance. Will I have to pay stamp duty as this will be permanent residence?

      Default Gravatar
      BelindaJuly 15, 2015

      Hi Jennifer,

      Thanks for your enquiry.

      The amount of stamp duty payable on the purchase of the property will depend on the state that you live in, the cost of the property and the property type.

      You can use our stamp duty calculator on this page to estimate the fees payable for the purchase, including stamp duty, transfer fee and mortgage registration fees.

      However, if you receive any government benefits you may be eligible for a concession or exemption but you’ll need to check with your local Office of State Revenue to find out.

      Thanks,
      Belinda

    Default Gravatar
    SognareJuly 5, 2015

    What stamp duty is payable on an Off-The-Plan purchase in Victoria?

      Default Gravatar
      BelindaJuly 7, 2015

      Hi Sognare,

      Thanks for your enquiry.

      The amount of stamp duty you will be charged will be determined by the amount you pay for the home and the type of property you’re purchasing. Unfortunately, when buying off the plan there are no exemptions for stamp duty in Victoria.

      You can use our stamp duty calculator provided above on this page, where you can enter your details to estimate the fees payable (including stamp duty, transfer fee and mortgage registration fee).

      It would be best that you contact the State Revenue Office of Victoria if you have any further enquiries about stamp duty.

      Thanks,
      Belinda

    Default Gravatar
    LucyJune 30, 2015

    my husband and I are aged pensioners. if we sell our home of over 50yrs do we pay any stamp duty or are we exempt in W A

      Default Gravatar
      BelindaJuly 1, 2015

      Hi Lucy,

      Thanks for your enquiry.

      If you’re receiving the Australian Aged Pension, you may be eligible for a concession or exemption from stamp duty. I’ve sent you an email with contact details for the Western Australian Office of State Revenue.

      Kind regards,
      Belinda

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