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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Everything you need to know about stamp duty in the ACT and how it’s calculated.
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Stamp duty in WA
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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.

Not sure if this question has been asked or answered yet.
I’m looking to buy a property shortly for between 450-500,000 and it appears we meet all eligible requirements for FHOG and Stamp Duty Reductions etc.
With the 50% reduction in duty payable which has just come into VIC, can this be applied prior to settlement or do I have to front up to settlement with the full amount of duty and lodge the form afterwards to get a refund?
Hi Joel,
Thanks for your question.
You’ll need to submit a declaration to your local Office of State Revenue to be eligible for the discount. I’d assume that the discount is upfront, but it’s good to confirm this with your conveyancer.
Please see the page that I’ve emailed you, towards the bottom.
Cheers,
Shirley
Could I ask the seller to pay the stamp duty rather than him accepting a lower offer on the price of the house to reduce my outlay. First time buyer in SA.
Hi Janice,
Thanks for your question.
You can ask the seller to pay stamp duty on your behalf, though it’s recommended that you have a legal arrangement in place.
It’s also a good idea to speak to your agent about this arrangement.
Cheers,
Shirley
If the land is in your husbands name but the loan is in both names. Will I have to pay stamp duty to be put in my name only. We have been married for 14 years
Hi Donna,
Thanks for your question.
If your husband wishes to transfer the title of the property/land to your name online, then the person obtaining the property/land is generally liable for stamp duty.
If you both share titles on a property, stamp duty is usually not payable if the property is to be your matrimonial home.
Hope this helps,
Shirley
If a settlement date is not specified as it is to coincide with the sale of the purchasers house, how much time does the purchaser have to pay stamp duty? eg if the settlement takes place 6 months after signing the contract is that when stamp duty is payable?
Hi Daina,
Thanks for your question.
Stamp duty is generally due within 30 days of settlement of the property.
Cheers,
Shirley
Due to lack of finance my partners name needs to come off a new contract in the Northern Territory.
Will we be charged extra Stamp Duty to remove their name from the contract to me owning 100%?
Thanks.
Hi Linda,
Thanks for your question.
Generally stamp duty is liable if you transfer the property between family members. There are few exceptions to this, including a marriage breakdown, or the property is a gift.
Please note that the person receiving the property is liable to pay stamp duty.
All the best,
Shirley