Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make β and stamp duty can add tens of thousands of dollars to your upfront costs. The good news? Every Australian state and territory offers first home buyer concessions that can dramatically reduce or completely eliminate your stamp duty liability.
This guide covers every state and territory's first home buyer stamp duty exemptions for 2026, including the latest changes, so you know exactly what you're eligible for before you sign on the dotted line.
What Is Stamp Duty (Transfer Duty)?
Stamp duty β officially called transfer duty in most states β is a state government tax you pay when you purchase property. The amount you pay depends on:
- The purchase price of the property
- Your state or territory
- Whether you're a first home buyer
- Whether you're buying a new or established home (some states treat these differently)
First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Exemptions by State (2026)
New South Wales (NSW)
Full exemption: Properties valued up to $800,000 Concessional rate: Properties valued between $800,001 and $1,000,000 Above $1,000,000: Standard transfer duty applies (no concession)NSW first home buyers pay zero stamp duty on homes up to $800,000 β a potential saving of over $31,000 on an $800,000 property. For properties between $800,000 and $1 million, a sliding scale concession applies.
π Calculate your NSW stamp duty
First Home Owner Grant (FHOG): $10,000 for new homes valued up to $750,000.Victoria (VIC)
Full exemption: Properties valued up to $600,000 (principal place of residence) Concessional rate: Properties valued between $600,001 and $750,000 Above $750,000: Standard land transfer duty appliesVictoria's first home buyer duty exemption saves eligible buyers up to $31,070 on a $600,000 property. The concessional rate slides proportionally for properties between $600,000 and $750,000.
π Calculate your VIC stamp duty
FHOG: $10,000 for new homes in metropolitan areas; $20,000 for new homes in regional Victoria (properties up to $750,000).Queensland (QLD)
Full exemption (home concession): Properties valued up to $700,000 Concessional rate: Properties valued between $700,001 and $800,000 Above $800,000: Standard transfer duty appliesQueensland's concession system is structured differently β eligible first home buyers pay a reduced "home concession" rate on qualifying properties. On a $700,000 purchase, you could save over $15,000 compared to the standard rate.
π Calculate your QLD stamp duty
FHOG: $30,000 for new homes valued up to $750,000 (one of the highest in Australia).South Australia (SA)
No stamp duty exemption for first home buyers purchasing established homes FHOG only: $15,000 for new homes valued up to $650,000South Australia doesn't offer a first home buyer stamp duty exemption on existing properties β you'll pay standard duty regardless. However, the $15,000 FHOG for new homes provides meaningful relief.
π Calculate your SA stamp duty
Western Australia (WA)
Full exemption: Properties valued up to $500,000 (from 21 March 2025) Concessional rate (metro/Peel): Properties valued between $500,001 and $700,000 Concessional rate (regional WA): Properties valued between $500,001 and $750,000 Above thresholds: Standard transfer duty appliesWA significantly expanded its first home buyer thresholds in March 2025, making it one of the more generous states for FHBs. On a $500,000 metro purchase, you save approximately $17,765.
Vacant land: Full exemption up to $350,000 (from 21 March 2025); concessional rate to $450,000.An off-the-plan concession is also available until 30 June 2026, potentially providing additional savings.
π Calculate your WA stamp duty
FHOG: $10,000 for new homes (eligible for metro and regional areas).Tasmania (TAS)
Stamp duty exemption: 50% concession on properties valued up to $750,000 for first home buyers (established homes) New homes: Full exemption for new/substantially renovated homes up to $750,000Tasmania offers a 50% reduction on stamp duty for eligible first home buyers on established homes. For a $600,000 purchase, this could save you around $14,500.
π Calculate your TAS stamp duty
FHOG: $30,000 for new homes (one of the highest grants in Australia, equal to QLD).Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Full exemption: Properties valued up to $1,000,000 for income-eligible first home buyers under the Home Buyer Concession Scheme (HBCS)The ACT has a generous means-tested scheme that provides full stamp duty exemption on properties up to $1,000,000, subject to income thresholds. For a $900,000 purchase, this could save over $35,000.
The ACT does not charge a foreign buyer surcharge, unlike other states.
π Calculate your ACT stamp duty
Northern Territory (NT)
Territory Home Owner Discount: Up to $23,928 off stamp duty for owner-occupiers on properties valued up to $650,000 (not limited to first home buyers)The NT's approach is unique β rather than a first-home-specific concession, the Territory Home Owner Discount applies to all owner-occupiers. This can provide significant relief for first home buyers.
π Calculate your NT stamp duty
FHOG: $10,000 for new homes.Quick Comparison: First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Savings (2026)
| State | Full Exemption Up To | Max Saving | FHOG |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | $800,000 | ~$31,000+ | $10,000 |
| VIC | $600,000 | ~$31,070 | $10,000β$20,000 |
| QLD | $700,000 | ~$15,000+ | $30,000 |
| SA | None (existing homes) | $0 | $15,000 |
| WA | $500,000 | ~$17,765 | $10,000 |
| TAS | 50% off up to $750k | ~$14,500 | $30,000 |
| ACT | $1,000,000 (income-tested) | ~$35,000+ | $7,500 |
| NT | Discount up to $23,928 | ~$23,928 | $10,000 |
How to Maximise Your First Home Buyer Savings
1. Check your eligibility early. Most states require you to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and not have previously owned residential property in Australia. 2. Consider new vs. established homes. Some states (notably QLD and SA) offer better concessions on new builds. Queensland's $30,000 FHOG is only available on new homes. 3. Don't forget the FHOG. The First Home Owner Grant stacks on top of stamp duty concessions in most states β combining both can save you $40,000 or more. 4. Use the First Home Guarantee. The federal government's First Home Guarantee lets eligible buyers purchase with just a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) β another $10,000β$30,000 saving depending on your loan size. 5. Check the exact property value matters. Being a dollar over the exemption threshold can mean paying full duty. Negotiate the purchase price if you're close to a threshold.Calculate Your Stamp Duty Today
Every dollar saved on stamp duty is a dollar you can put toward your deposit, renovations, or mortgage repayments.
Use our free stamp duty calculator to see exactly how much you'll pay β and how much you'll save as a first home buyer β in any Australian state or territory.
π Calculate your stamp duty now β
Stamp duty rates and concessions are subject to change. This guide reflects rates as of April 2026. Always verify current rates with your state revenue office before making property decisions.