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.
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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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Everything you need to know about stamp duty in Tasmania and how it’s calculated.
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Queensland stamp duty calculator
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NSW stamp duty calculator & guide
Stamp duty is just one of the many costs associated with property ownership. Learn everything you need to know about transfer duty in NSW.

In South Australia if the property is in joined name and the husband wants to transfer to the wife’s name only (not divorced). Will they have to pay stamp duty?
Thank you kindly.
Tony
Hi Tony,
Thanks for your question.
Generally the person receiving the property is liable to pay stamp duty.
Cheers,
Shirley
I was left a quater of a house when i was 12 in a will. I never lived in that property and it was later sold. I am now BUYING my first home will i still get the first home buyers stamp duty exemption in qld
Hi Dan,
Thanks for your question.
If you held an interest in residential property before 1 July 2000, regardless of how the property was used, generally you will not be eligible for the exemption.
If you’d like more information, please speak to the Queensland Office of State Revenue.
Cheers,
Shirley
My husband passed away 2 years ago aged 55. I am struggling with my Mortgage & wondering if I can do a quit claim deed as I want to place my son’s name on the Mortgage & remove my husbands.
I am on a disability pension & wondering if I would be entitled to exemption on any stamp duty? My son has now just moved in with me aged 37.
I wish to place all in his name. He has no savings & only receives he weekly wages. I am on a lot of morphine & the Banks are never honest.
I am in Melbourne Victoria Thanks
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for your question.
Typically if you’re transferring the property title into your son’s name completely, and thus removing your name as well, then your son will be liable to pay stamp duty as he is the receiver.
If you intend to share the titles of the property, stamp duty is generally liable. There are a number of pensioner concessions available that you may want to consider.
Cheers,
Shirley
My parents are pensioners and they want to place my name on the house for refinancing because of a lower interest rate. We live together for more than 10 years in that house. Do I need to pay stamp duty for adding name in this case? I am in NSW thanks.
Hi Yi,
Thanks for your question.
Typically you do need to pay stamp duty if you’re added on a title of the property for your portion.
Cheers,
Shirley
If the current value of the house is 750k, how much stamp duty I need to pay?
Hi Yi,
Thanks for your question.
According to our calculator the stamp duty payable is $29,240.00. Please be mindful that this does not take into account your personal situation.
Cheers,
Shirley
Hi,
I am first Home buyer. Do i pay the stamp duty if i am buying the existing home in NSW which is no the brand new home ?
Thanks
Hi Nikhil,
Thanks for your question.
Yes you are required to pay stamp duty if you buy an existing or established property in NSW.
The stamp duty exemption applies to new or off the plan properties.
Cheers,
Shirley
My husband passed away. I left the family home and my son has stayed living there. I would like to transfer the title into my sons name. Will we have to pay stamp duty?
Hi Rosalie,
Thanks for your question.
Your son will be liable to pay stamp duty upon the transfer.
Cheers,
Shirley