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
    JohnSeptember 16, 2014

    Does a person buying a residential apartment in nsw off the plan pay stamp duty within six months of the exchange of contracts. Or is that person liable to pay stamp duty when the building is completed and the balance of purchase price is paid.

      Shirley Liu's headshotFinder
      ShirleySeptember 16, 2014Finder

      Hi John,

      Thanks for your question.

      The rules are different state by state. For example, in NSW, a sale of transfer of land (including land that you intend to make improvements on) is generally liable for stamp duty.

      Please see below the section I’ve taken from their website,
      “When purchasing property that is ‘off the plan’ the duty is required to be paid within three months of;
      – The completion of the agreement
      – The assignment of the whole or any part of the purchaser’s interest under the agreement
      – The expiration of 12 months after the date of the agreement, whichever occurs first.”

      Cheers,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    leeSeptember 16, 2014

    could you tell me is it true as a married couple as a one of time you can change a property from two names to one at no cost or for a dollar without paying stamp duty

      Shirley Liu's headshotFinder
      ShirleySeptember 16, 2014Finder

      Hi Lee,

      Thanks for your question.

      Generally if you’re transferring a property from two names to one because of a relationship breakdown, then stamp duty isn’t payable. If it’s for another reason, stamp duty is usually payable.

      For more information, please visit your local Office of State Revenue’s website to see what exemptions could apply to you.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    BiancaSeptember 12, 2014

    Hi If I purchase a block of land but won’t begin to build on it for a year will I need to pay stamp duty on the block then on the build? Im in SA

      Shirley Liu's headshotFinder
      ShirleySeptember 15, 2014Finder

      Hi Bianca,

      Thanks for your question.

      On the SA Office of State Revenue website it states that, “all transfers of land are subject to duty on the instrument of transfer based on the value of the land (including improvements) or the consideration (including GST) whichever is greater (unless an exemption or concession applies).”

      ‘Including improvements’ refers to the construction that you may intend to build on the land. For more information, please speak to your local Office of State Revenue.

      All the best,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    JanineSeptember 11, 2014

    Do I have to pay stamp duty, when I buy into a house with the owner of the home.
    We are not a partnership, however, it is my home, and I paid off the mortgage (which is 50/50) now.
    I want my name on deeds too, but not if I have to pay $9-10,000, stamp duty.

    Please advise.
    I am also now on Newstart Allowance.
    Age 63

      Shirley Liu's headshotFinder
      ShirleySeptember 12, 2014Finder

      Hi Janine,

      Thanks for your question.

      If you’re sharing titles on a property and the property is to be your matrimonial home, then stamp duty is generally exempt.

      However, in other cases, stamp duty is most likely payable. If you’d like, you can check your local Office of State Revenue’s website to see if any concessions apply to you.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

    Default Gravatar
    kiaraSeptember 11, 2014

    can my sisters disclaim a property and leave it all to me. without me having to pay stamp duty on the inheritance?

      Shirley Liu's headshotFinder
      ShirleySeptember 12, 2014Finder

      Hi Kiara,

      Thanks for your question.

      Generally if your transferring property ownership to a family member, the person obtaining the property is required to pay stamp duty.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

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