Buying outside Tasmania
We arrange loans across Australia by phone and video. Duty and first home rules change at each state border, so check the one you are buying in.
How it works across the states
Stamp duty (transfer duty) is set by each state and territory, and so are first home concessions and grants. The same price can cost very different amounts at settlement depending on where it sits. We run the duty for the state you are buying in before you commit, using the stamp duty calculator.
State by state
- New South Wales. No duty on an established home for eligible first home buyers up to $800,000, reduced to $1,000,000. Foreign buyer surcharge 9%.
- Victoria. No duty up to $600,000, sliding to $750,000. Foreign buyer surcharge 8%.
- Queensland. No duty on a new home or vacant land at any price. Established homes: no duty to $700,000, partial concession to $800,000. Foreign buyer surcharge 8%.
- Western Australia. No duty on a home up to $600,000, concessional rate to $800,000. Foreign buyer surcharge 7%.
- South Australia. No duty on a new home or land to build one at any price. No relief on established homes.
- Australian Capital Territory. No duty at any price for eligible buyers under the Home Buyer Concession Scheme. No foreign buyer surcharge.
- Northern Territory. No general concession. New house and land packages may be exempt, and grants are available.
- Tasmania. The established home exemption ended on 30 June 2026. See Tasmania first home schemes.
Check the figures before you rely on them
These are as at October 2026 and state rules change with each budget. Grants and concessions are often time limited, and the figures above are a guide only. Confirm with the state revenue office before you sign.
Questions people ask
Do I pay stamp duty as a first home buyer in NSW?
Eligible first home buyers pay no duty on an established home up to $800,000, reduced to $1,000,000. Above that, duty applies. New homes and vacant land have their own thresholds. Confirm with Revenue NSW.
How much is stamp duty in Victoria for a first home buyer?
No duty applies up to $600,000, with a sliding concession up to $750,000. The rules differ between new and established homes, so the figure depends on the property.
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in Queensland?
Not on a new home or vacant land at any price. On an established home there is no duty up to $700,000, with a partial concession up to $800,000. Queensland also offers a First Home Owner Grant for new homes. Its current amount is not fully settled across sources, so check with the Queensland Revenue Office.
Is there a foreign buyer surcharge in my state?
Yes, in most states. It is 9% in NSW, 8% in Victoria and Queensland, and 7% in Western Australia and South Australia. The ACT and NT do not apply one. Foreign buyers generally cannot use first home concessions.
Can I use the 5% Deposit Scheme in any state?
Yes, it is a federal scheme across Australia. Each state has its own price caps, usually set by city and region, and eligibility is checked against the postcode of the property.
Do I need to live in a home I buy interstate?
Usually yes for first home concessions and grants. Most states require you to move in within a set period and live there for a minimum time.
Can you arrange a loan for a property in another state?
Yes. We arrange loans across Australia by phone and video, but lender policies and property types vary by state, so we check the lender matches the property before you offer.
General information, last updated November 2026. Scheme figures, lender policies and duty rates change, so confirm them before you rely on them. Sources: Revenue NSW, State Revenue Office Tasmania.
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