Australian property fees guide
Understand stamp duty and upfront government fees
Stamp duty, also called transfer duty in several states, is one of the largest upfront costs of buying Australian property. The amount depends on the state or territory, purchase price, buyer status, intended use and property type. This calculator estimates duty, title transfer registration and mortgage registration across all eight jurisdictions, but rates and concessions can change.
What is stamp duty?
Stamp duty is a state or territory tax generally triggered when ownership of property is transferred. It is separate from your deposit and is usually payable around settlement, although timing and administration vary. The duty scale may be progressive, so different portions of a property's value can be charged at different rates.
The relevant jurisdiction is normally where the property is located, not where the buyer lives. An owner-occupier, investor, first-home buyer and foreign buyer can receive different outcomes for the same purchase price.
How the estimate is calculated
Select the state or territory, then enter the purchase price and describe the buyer, occupancy and property type. The calculator applies the configured general rates and, where the inputs indicate eligibility, the relevant concession or exemption. Entering a loan amount also allows it to estimate the mortgage registration fee.
The result separates transfer duty, any foreign buyer surcharge, title transfer registration and mortgage registration. It does not include every cost of a purchase, so the total should not be treated as the full amount needed at settlement.
First-home buyer concessions
First-home buyer relief is not consistent across Australia. Eligibility can depend on price thresholds, whether the home is new or established, whether vacant land will be used to build, residency, previous ownership and how soon the buyer occupies the property. Some concessions taper rather than ending at one price.
Select the first-home buyer option to see an estimate based on the calculator's current rules. Before signing a contract, verify the outcome with the relevant revenue authority or your conveyancer, especially near a threshold.
Investment property and foreign buyer surcharges
An investment purchase may not qualify for owner-occupier or first-home relief. A foreign purchaser may also face a surcharge in addition to ordinary duty, and definitions or exemptions can be more detailed than citizenship alone. Other federal approval requirements and taxes can sit outside this calculator.
If ownership will involve a company, trust, multiple purchasers or a change of use, obtain advice about how the transaction is classified. Small changes in structure can materially change duty and lending requirements.
Other costs to budget for
Allow for conveyancing or legal fees, searches, building and pest reports, finance costs, electronic settlement fees, council and water adjustments, insurance and moving expenses. Buyers of apartments may also need strata searches and should understand ongoing body corporate charges.
Use the estimate early when planning your deposit, then refresh it before making an offer. Government schedules may change, and the contract price is not always the only value considered for duty purposes.
Stamp duty and property fees FAQs
Is stamp duty included in the home loan deposit?
No. The deposit contributes towards the purchase price, while stamp duty and most other buying costs are normally budgeted separately. You may also need funds for registration, conveyancing, inspections, settlement adjustments and lender fees. Whether any cost can be covered within the overall loan structure depends on the valuation, loan-to-value ratio and lender policy, so confirm your total funds requirement before signing a contract. Add purchase costs to your savings plan
Can a first-home buyer pay no stamp duty?
Possibly, but the rules are different in each state and territory. Eligibility may depend on the purchase price, whether the property is new, established or vacant land, residency, previous ownership and when you move in. Some concessions reduce gradually above a threshold rather than providing a full exemption. Check the current revenue authority rules and ask your conveyancer to confirm the duty before exchange. Explore first-home buyer finance
Does this calculator include every settlement cost?
No. It estimates selected government charges, including transfer duty and registration fees. Legal or conveyancing work, searches, building and pest inspections, electronic settlement fees, council and water adjustments, insurance, loan fees and moving costs may be additional. Ask your conveyancer for a settlement statement and your broker for a loan-cost breakdown so you can maintain an appropriate cash buffer. Review your purchase budget with a broker
