See The Real Upfront Cost Before You Commit

Estimate the stamp duty and government charges on your purchase in any Australian state. We factor in your buyer type and any first-home concessions or surcharges that apply.

Stryve Stamp Duty Calculator

Property Details

Property Purpose
$
Are You A First Home Buyer?
Are You A Foreign Buyer?

Total Government Charges

$17,052.46

Stamp duty plus mortgage registration and transfer fees: the full upfront government cost, not stamp duty alone.

Figures

Base stamp duty$16,687.00
Stamp duty concession$0.00
Mortgage registration$182.73
Transfer fee$182.73
Government grant$0.00
Total government charges$17,052.46

Estimates only. Concession and grant require an owner-occupier first home buyer.

Worked example

For example, an owner-occupier buying an established $500,000 home in New South Wales pays around $16,687 in stamp duty, plus mortgage registration and transfer fees, for a total upfront government cost of $17,052 (before any first home buyer concession). Enter your own state and price above for your figure.

Stamp duty by state

Stamp duty rates, first home buyer concessions and government fees are set separately by each state and territory. Pick yours for the current rate table and rules.

NSWNew South WalesVICVictoriaQLDQueenslandWAWestern AustraliaSASouth AustraliaTASTasmaniaACTAustralian Capital TerritoryNTNorthern Territory

Want to know what this means for your budget?

Stamp duty is usually the biggest upfront cost after your deposit, and the one that catches buyers out. We'll show you how it fits your full picture.

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How Stamp Duty Is Calculated

Stamp duty (transfer duty) is a state government tax on property purchases, and it's usually the largest single upfront cost after your deposit. Each state and territory sets its own tiered rate schedule that increases with the property's value, then adds mortgage registration and transfer fees on top. What you pay also depends on whether you're an owner-occupier or investor, a first home buyer, and whether you're a foreign purchaser. The calculator above uses your selected state's current rates to work out your total upfront government cost, not stamp duty alone. Because duty comes straight out of your savings before anything reaches the deposit, it directly shapes your property budget - see how much you can afford once duty and fees are taken out.

First home buyer concessions

Most states offer eligible first home buyers a full exemption below a set price threshold and a tapered concession above it, sometimes alongside a grant for new builds. Thresholds, eligibility rules and whether established homes qualify all vary by state and change with each state budget - switch the first home buyer toggle to Yes above to apply any concession you qualify for.

Stamp duty for investment properties

Investors pay duty at the same standard rate as owner-occupiers in most states - there's no investor surcharge on the duty itself, but first home concessions don't apply either. Stamp duty isn't deductible upfront, even for investors; it typically forms part of your property's cost base, reducing the capital gains tax payable when you eventually sell.

Foreign purchaser surcharge

Most states add a foreign purchaser duty surcharge of around 7-9% of the property's value on top of standard duty, which can add tens of thousands to a purchase (Tasmania charges a lower 3%, and the ACT and NT currently levy no surcharge). Foreign buyers also generally need Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval before purchasing residential property in Australia.

Stamp Duty Calculator FAQs

It depends on your state and the purchase price. On an $800,000 established home you might pay around $30,000 in NSW, $43,000 in Victoria as an investor, or $22,000 in Queensland as an owner-occupier, with no concessions applied. First home buyer relief can reduce or remove it. Enter your state and price above for your figure.

No. The headline figure is your total upfront government cost: stamp duty plus the mortgage registration and transfer fees that apply, plus any foreign purchaser surcharge, less any first home owner grant, so you see the full amount you'll need at settlement.

Not upfront. Stamp duty isn't immediately deductible, even for investors. It usually forms part of your property's cost base, which lowers the capital gains tax you pay when you eventually sell. Confirm the detail with your accountant.

Possibly nothing. Most states fully exempt eligible first home buyers below a price threshold and offer concessional rates above it. Whether you qualify depends on your state, the price, and meeting residency and occupancy rules. Switch the first home buyer toggle to Yes to see your result.

Most states add a foreign purchaser surcharge of around 7 to 9 percent of the property value on top of standard duty (Tasmania charges a lower 3 percent, and the ACT and NT currently levy no surcharge), which can add tens of thousands. Foreign buyers also need Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval before purchasing.

Usually at settlement, though some states allow up to three months. For off-the-plan purchases it can be deferred to settlement of the completed property. Your conveyancer normally pays it to the state revenue office on your behalf.

Know your number?
Now let's make it work.

The calculator shows what you'll owe the government. A quick call shows how it fits everything else: your deposit, your borrowing power, your timing. And if there's a smarter way to structure your purchase around it, we'll tell you straight.

Stryve Finance team helping a home buyer