finder.com.au
NEW! Download App

Stamp duty WA

Calculate your stamp duty costs in WA and see if you can get a concession or exemption.

Avatar
Adam Smith

&

Avatar
Sarah Megginson
Updated . What changed?
Fact checked

We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!

If you're buying a property in Western Australia, you'll probably need to pay stamp duty. The WA government charges stamp duty as a tax on the sale of certain assets. This includes property. Stamp duty in WA can cost thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. But there are some exemptions and concessions for first home buyers.

    Find out how much stamp duty you'll pay using the calculator below.

    What are the stamp duty rates in Western Australia?

    You can find the rates of duty in the table below.

    General rates of duty paid in WA. For more information, visit the WA Department of Finance website.

    Dutiable value rangeDuty payable
    Up to $80,000$1.90 per $100 or part thereof
    $80,001 to $100,000$1,520 plus $2.85 per $100 or part thereof above $80,000
    $100,001 to $250,000$2,090 plus $3.80 per $100 or part thereof above $100,000
    $250,001 to $500,000$7,790 plus $4.75 per $100 or part thereof above $250,000
    $500,001 and above$19,665 plus $5.15 per $100 or part thereof above $500,000

    Your stamp duty questions answered

    • Who pays stamp duty? In WA, the purchaser of the property or the transferee is liable to pay stamp duty when the sale or transfer takes place.
    • When is stamp duty paid? You must lodge your documents for assessment of stamp duty within two months of the liability arising when the property is purchased or transferred. After lodging the documents, stamp duty must be paid within one month.
    • Am I exempt from paying stamp duty? First home buyers are exempt from having to pay a duty on any home purchase up to $430,000. Concessions are available on homes valued between $430,001 and $530,000. The home purchased must be used as a primary place of residence. The concession is $19.19 per $100 or part thereof above $430,000. Vacant land purchases are exempt from stamp duty for values up to $300,000. Concessions are available for land valued between $300,001 and $400,000.
      The concessional rate for vacant land is $13.01 per $100 or part thereof above $300,000.
      Exemptions are available for the transfer of family farms. Transfers between spouses or de facto partners of two years are also exempt.
    • Can I apply for a refund if the sale transfer is cancelled? If your transaction is cancelled, you must apply for a refund of stamp duty within five years of the original assessment or 12 months after the day on which the agreement was cancelled.
    • What other fees are associated with stamp duty? In addition to stamp duty, you may also have to pay mortgage registration and title transfer fees. The WA title transfer fee operates on a sliding scale determined by the value of the property you're purchasing. The mortgage registration fee is $164.
    • What other costs are involved in buying a property? They can include a range of expenses including legal fees, building inspection costs and bank fees. Review our guide.
    • How do I pay stamp duty? Payment can be made to the WA Office of State Revenue via credit card, BPAY, post or in person using cash or cheque.

    How much stamp duty do foreign property buyers pay?

    Western Australia currently has the most generous incentives in the country available to non-citizens who purchase a property.

    The foreign buyer stamp duty for off-the-plan purchases. However, WA offers a 75 per cent rebate to foreign purchasers known as the Off-the-Plan Duty Rebate Scheme, capped at $50,000.

    The rebate is available to owner-occupiers and investors who enter into a pre-construction contract between 23 October 2019 and 23 October 2021 (inclusive), to purchase a new residential unit or apartment or
    a contract signed between 4 June 2020 to 31 December 2020. Contracts signed after 31 December 2020 are no longer eligible for this discount.

    The rebate applies to the transfer duty and foreign buyers duty surcharge (if applicable) paid on the agreement to purchase the unit or apartment.

    Compare finder's cheapest home loans

    Here are some of the cheapest home loans in our database.

    Data updated regularly
    $
    years
    Name Product Interest Rate (p.a.) Comp. Rate^ (p.a.) Application Fee Ongoing Fees Max LVR Monthly Payment
    St.George Fixed Rate Advantage Package - 2 Year Fixed Rate LVR 60% to 80% (Owner Occupier, P&I)
    St.George Fixed Rate Advantage Package
    Go to site
    More Info
    1.94%
    3.40% p.a.
    $0
    $395 p.a.
    80%
    $551.07
    Go to site
    More Info
    Up to $4,000 refinance cashback
    Borrowers with 20% deposits or equity can get this competitive fixed rate loan. Refinancers borrowing $250,000 or more can get up to $4,000 cashback (Other terms, conditions and exclusions apply).
    Westpac Fixed Option Home Loan Premier Advantage Package - 2 Year LVR above 70% (Owner Occupier, P&I)
    Westpac Fixed Option Home Loan Premier Advantage Package
    Go to site
    More Info
    1.99%
    3.48% p.a.
    $0
    $395 p.a.
    95%
    $554.81
    Go to site
    More Info
    Up to $3,000 refinance cashback.
    Lock in a low fixed rate for 2 years and buy your home with a 5% deposit. Eligible borrowers refinancing $250,000 or more can get up to $3,000 cashback. Other conditions apply.
    UBank UHomeLoan - 1 Year Fixed Rate (Owner Occupier, P&I)
    UBank UHomeLoan Fixed
    Go to site
    More Info
    1.75%
    2.31% p.a.
    $0
    $0 p.a.
    80%
    $537
    Go to site
    More Info
    Limited time offer.
    Fix your mortgage for 1 year with a very competitive rate and no ongoing fees. Apply by 30 June 2021 and settle within 90 days to get this low rate.
    Athena Celebrate Home Loan - 60% LVR Owner Occupier, P&I
    Athena Variable Home Loan
    Go to site
    More Info
    1.99%
    1.99% p.a.
    $0
    $0 p.a.
    60%
    $554.81
    Go to site
    More Info
    Owner occupiers with 40% deposits or equity can get this competitive variable rate loan. No upfront or ongoing fees.
    HSBC Fixed Rate Home Loan Package - 2 Year Fixed Rate LVR 80% or below (Owner Occupier, P&I)
    HSBC Fixed Rate Home Loan Package
    Go to site
    More Info
    1.88%
    2.86% p.a.
    $0
    $390 p.a.
    80%
    $546.6
    Go to site
    More Info
    $3,288 refinance cashback offer
    Lock in a low fixed rate for 2 years and buy your home with a 20% deposit. Eligible refinancers borrowing $250,000 or more can get a $3,288 cashback. Terms and conditions apply.