First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Exemptions and Concessions Australia (2026)
Every state and territory in Australia provides some form of stamp duty relief for first home buyers. The savings can be significant — up to $30,000–$45,000 depending on the state and purchase price.
The key is knowing the threshold for your state. Purchases below the threshold typically attract no stamp duty; purchases above threshold may attract a partial concession or full duty.
Summary — First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Relief by State (2026)
| State | Full Exemption Threshold | Partial Concession Up To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | $800,000 | $1,000,000 | Applies to new and established homes |
| VIC | $600,000 | $750,000 | Applies to new and established homes |
| QLD | No full exemption | Concessions for new builds under $700,000 | FHOG $30k effectively offsets duty on low-priced new builds |
| WA | $430,000 | $530,000 | Applies to new and established homes |
| SA | No full exemption | Off-the-plan concession to $500,000 | Limited first home buyer relief |
| TAS | $600,000 (50% concession) | — | 50% duty concession; not full exemption |
| ACT | Varies by income | — | Home Buyer Concession Scheme — income-tested |
| NT | $500,000 (full exemption) | — | Territory Home Owner Discount applies |
Thresholds and concession amounts change. Always verify with your state revenue office before purchasing.
New South Wales (NSW)
Full exemption: Purchases up to $800,000 — zero stamp duty for eligible first home buyers.
Partial concession: Purchases between $800,001 and $1,000,000 — a sliding-scale concession applies. At $900,000, approximately $11,250 stamp duty is payable (versus $35,990 for a non-FHB).
Eligible properties: New homes and established homes both qualify.
Savings at key price points:
| Purchase Price | FHB Duty | Non-FHB Duty | FHB Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| $700,000 | $0 | $26,990 | $26,990 |
| $800,000 | $0 | $31,490 | $31,490 |
| $900,000 | ~$11,250 | ~$35,990 | ~$24,740 |
| $1,000,000 | ~$22,490 | ~$40,490 | ~$18,000 |
Apply through Revenue NSW or your solicitor at exchange.
Victoria (VIC)
Full exemption: Purchases up to $600,000 — zero stamp duty for eligible first home buyers.
Partial concession: Purchases between $600,001 and $750,000 — sliding concession. At $700,000, approximately $18,870 stamp duty is payable (versus $37,070 for non-FHB).
Note: Victoria has relatively high base stamp duty rates, making the concession particularly valuable.
| Purchase Price | FHB Duty | Non-FHB Duty | FHB Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $0 | $21,970 | $21,970 |
| $600,000 | $0 | $31,070 | $31,070 |
| $700,000 | ~$18,870 | ~$37,070 | ~$18,200 |
| $800,000 | Full duty | ~$43,070 | $0 |
Queensland (QLD)
Queensland does not offer a direct stamp duty exemption for first home buyers on established homes. However:
- First home buyers purchasing new builds or off-the-plan properties under $700,000 receive the stamp duty home concession rate (approximately 40–50% reduction)
- The $30,000 FHOG for new builds effectively offsets most stamp duty for properties in this price range
Stamp duty on $600,000 for FHB (new build concession):
- With first home concession: approximately $8,750 (vs $22,587 non-FHB)
- Combined with $30,000 FHOG: net cost actually positive (grant exceeds duty)
Western Australia (WA)
Full exemption: Purchases up to $430,000 — zero stamp duty for eligible first home buyers.
Partial concession: Purchases between $430,001 and $530,000.
At $430,000, a first home buyer saves approximately $14,440 in stamp duty compared to a non-first-home buyer.
South Australia (SA)
South Australia’s first home buyer stamp duty relief is limited to off-the-plan purchases and new housing. There is no general first home buyer stamp duty exemption for established homes.
Off-the-plan concession: Eligible purchasers of off-the-plan apartments may receive a partial stamp duty reduction.
Tasmania (TAS)
Tasmania offers a 50% stamp duty concession for first home buyers purchasing established or new properties. There is no full exemption.
Example: At $400,000, a non-FHB pays approximately $13,997 in stamp duty. A first home buyer pays approximately $6,999.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
The ACT replaced traditional stamp duty (for eligible home buyers) with the Home Buyer Concession Scheme (HBCS), which provides full stamp duty concession based on income and gross combined household income thresholds.
The ACT is transitioning toward a land tax system. Stamp duty concessions depend on your income — higher incomes attract less or no concession. Check with the ACT Revenue Office for current income thresholds.
Northern Territory (NT)
Territory Home Owner Discount: First home buyers in the NT may receive a full exemption up to $500,000 and a partial concession above that threshold.
The NT also has a separate $10,000 First Home Owner Grant for new builds.
How to Claim Stamp Duty Concessions
- Confirm eligibility with your state revenue office or solicitor before exchanging contracts
- Your conveyancer/solicitor applies for the concession as part of the settlement process — you don’t apply separately
- You must declare on transfer documents that you are a first home buyer and intend to occupy the property
- Residency requirement: You typically must occupy the property within 12 months of settlement and live there for at least 12 consecutive months
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the stamp duty exemption for first home buyers in NSW? In NSW, first home buyers pay zero stamp duty on purchases up to $800,000. A partial concession applies for purchases between $800,001 and $1,000,000. Above $1,000,000, full duty applies.
Do first home buyers in Victoria get stamp duty exemptions? Yes. First home buyers in VIC pay zero stamp duty on purchases up to $600,000 and receive a partial concession on purchases up to $750,000.
Can I get a stamp duty exemption on an investment property as a first home buyer? No. First home buyer stamp duty concessions require you to intend to occupy the property as your principal place of residence. Purchasing as an investment disqualifies you from the concession.
Is stamp duty the same as land transfer duty? Yes — in Victoria, stamp duty is formally called “land transfer duty.” The terms are used interchangeably.
Related Guides
- Stamp Duty Calculator Australia
- First Home Owner Grant by State
- First Home Buyer NSW Guide
- First Home Buyer VIC Guide
- First Home Buyer Hub
This article provides general information only. Stamp duty concession thresholds and eligibility criteria are set by state and territory governments and can change. Always verify current rates and eligibility with your state revenue office. For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a licensed mortgage broker or financial adviser. Find one through MoneySmart.