Mortgage registration fees

You have to pay a mortgage registration fee when you settle your loan or when refinancing. The average cost is around $183.

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By

Richard Whitten

&

Sarah Megginson

Updated

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Key takeaways

  • A mortgage registration fee is charged by state and territory governments to register the security for a home loan. It officially registers the physical property as the security on a home loan.
  • This process is important, because it allows future buyers to check any claims that exist on a property. This fee is not avoidable when buying a home with a mortgage.
  • A fee is paid both by the buyer when a home loan is established, and by a seller when a loan is discharged.

How much are mortgage registration fees in 2025/26?

The cost of the mortgage registration fee varies depending on which state or territory you live in. They are updated each financial year. Here’s what you can expect to pay in 2023/24:

  • ACT: $178
  • New South Wales: $175.70
  • Victoria: $125.70
  • Queensland: $238.14
  • South Australia: $198
  • Tasmania: $163.30
  • Western Australia: $216.60
  • Northern Territory: $176

When do I pay this fee?

You typically pay the mortgage registration fee during settlement. This is the day when you officially own the property and start the mortgage. Or if you're refinancing, it's the day your new mortgage begins and you discharge your old one.

Your conveyancer should include the registration fee along with your other settlement costs like stamp duty and the conveyancer charges.

Are mortgage registration fees a big expense?

Home owners pay a registration fee when they refinance an existing loan or buy a house.

Mortgage registration fees are minimal compared with some of the other costs of a home loan, such as stamp duty, home loan fees and lenders mortgage insurance (LMI), but it's still important to factor them in at settlement time.

Sources

Richard Whitten's headshot
Senior Money Editor

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

Richard's expertise
Richard has written 680 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Home loans
  • Credit cards
  • Personal finance
  • Money-saving tips
Sarah Megginson's headshot
Co-written by

Personal finance expert + media spokesperson

With over 20 years of experience in property, finance and investment journalism, Sarah is a trusted expert whose insights regularly appear across television, radio, and print media, including Sunrise, ABC News, and Yahoo! Finance. She has previously served as managing editor for Your Investment Property and Australian Broker, and her expert advice has been shared in the media over 3,500 times since 2023 alone. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, which complies with ASIC standards. See full bio

Sarah's expertise
Sarah has written 207 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Home loans
  • Personal finance
  • Budgeting and money-saving tips
  • Managing the cost of living
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