General information only — not financial advice. This content is intended as educational guidance. Consult a qualified financial adviser, mortgage broker, or legal professional before making financial decisions. See our full disclaimer.
Stamp duty (officially called "transfer duty" in most states) is a government tax you pay when buying property. It's calculated as a percentage of the purchase price and is one of the largest upfront costs of buying a home — typically $15,000–$50,000 depending on the state and pr
Stamp duty is typically due at settlement (when the property transfers to you). Your conveyancer or solicitor handles the payment. In some states, you can defer payment for a short period but interest may apply.
Some lenders allow stamp duty capitalisation, but this increases your LVR and may trigger LMI. It also means you're paying interest on the stamp duty for the life of the loan. It's generally better to pay stamp duty from savings.
Investors don't qualify for first home buyer concessions but pay the same base rates. Foreign investors face additional surcharges (7–8%) in most states.
Use our free calculator to get personalised results based on your specific situation. No sign-up required.