Stamp Duty in Every Australian State and Territory: 2026 Rates, Exemptions, and Calculator

Stamp duty — or transfer duty, as some states call it — is a state government tax on property purchases. It's calculated as a percentage of the property's purchase price or market value, whichever is higher. Rates vary significantly between states and territories, and exemptions can save buyers tens of thousands of dollars.

In New South Wales, stamp duty ranges from 1.25% to 7% depending on the property value. First home buyers purchasing properties under $800,000 pay no stamp duty at all under the First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme. Above $800,000 and up to $1,000,000, a concessional rate applies.

Victoria has the highest effective stamp duty rates in the country, with a top marginal rate of 6.5% plus a premium duty surcharge for properties over $2 million. However, first home buyers purchasing properties under $600,000 are fully exempt, with concessions up to $750,000.

Queensland recently reformed its stamp duty structure. The rates range from 1% to 5.75%, with first home buyers exempt on properties under $700,000 for new builds and $500,000 for existing properties. The home concession rate applies to owner-occupied purchases and is significantly lower than the investment rate.

Western Australia offers the most generous first home buyer exemptions, with full stamp duty waivers on properties under $430,000 and concessions up to $530,000. South Australia exempts first home buyers on properties up to $650,000 for new builds.

Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the ACT each have their own rates and exemptions. The ACT is unique in that it's progressively abolishing stamp duty in favour of higher annual land tax rates — a transition that's been underway since 2012.

For brokers, getting stamp duty right is critical to accurate funds position calculations. An error of even 0.5% on a $800,000 purchase means a $4,000 discrepancy in the client's required funds. BrokerIQ's stamp duty calculator is built into every scenario and updated with current rates across all states and territories.