Buying your first home is exciting. Paying stamp duty? Not so much.
A stamp duty concession reduces the transfer duty you pay when purchasing a property. Depending on where you live, it could mean paying a reduced amount or nothing at all. The rules differ between states and territories, and a stamp duty concession is separate from the First Home Owner Grant.
So, how much could you actually save? Let’s break it down.
What is a stamp duty concession?
Stamp duty – also known as transfer duty or land transfer duty – is a government tax you’ll generally need to pay when you buy a property.
And let’s be honest, when you’re already saving a deposit, budgeting for conveyancing, moving costs and all those sneaky little expenses that seem to pop up along the way, another big upfront bill isn’t exactly welcome news.
Luckily, first home buyers may be able to get some help in the form of stamp duty relief.
There are two terms to know:
- Concession: reduces the amount of stamp duty you need to pay.
- Exemption: brings your stamp duty bill all the way down to $0. Yep, zero. We like the sound of that!
For example, if the standard stamp duty on a property is $25,000 and a concession brings your bill down to $10,000, that’s $15,000 back in your pocket. If you qualify for a full exemption, you could save the entire $25,000 (yes please!!).
That’s money that could go towards your deposit, new furniture, a few must-have upgrades – or, dare we say it, a well-deserved housewarming celebration!!
Of course, the rules and savings vary depending on where you’re buying, what you’re buying and whether you meet the eligibility requirements. But if you’re a first home buyer, it’s definitely worth checking what you could be entitled to before you sign on the dotted line.
Who is eligible for a stamp duty concession?
The rules can vary from state to state, but generally, first home buyer schemes look at three big things: whether you’ve owned property before, what you’re buying is worth and whether you’re planning to live in it.
As a general guide, you may need to meet requirements such as:
- You’re a first home buyer: You haven’t previously owned a home, or you meet the specific rules around previous property ownership.
- Your property falls within the price limits: Some states have property value thresholds you’ll need to stay under to qualify.
- You’re going to live there: These concessions are generally designed for people buying a home to live in, rather than purchasing an investment property.
- You meet the age and residency requirements: Depending on the scheme, you may need to meet certain age, citizenship or residency requirements.
- Your partner meets the rules too: Your spouse or domestic partner’s previous property ownership can affect your eligibility, even if they’re not listed on the property title.
And here’s where things get a little tricky: the definition of a “first home buyer” isn’t exactly the same everywhere in Australia.
So, just because you qualify for one first home buyer benefit doesn’t automatically mean you’ll qualify for another. Different schemes can have different rules, thresholds and fine print.
What stamp duty concessions are available across Australia?
Stamp duty is a state and territory responsibility, so there isn’t one Australia-wide concession. Here’s a snapshot of the major first-home-buyer duty relief available as at 28 August 2026.
| State/territory | First-home-buyer duty relief | Eligible property types | Official guidance |
| WA | Full exemption up to $600,000 for homes; concessional rate from $600,001–$800,000. | New/established homes and vacant land | WA Government |
| SA | Full stamp duty relief for eligible new homes, off-the-plan apartments and vacant land. For contracts from 6 June 2024, no property-value cap applies. | New homes, off-the-plan apartments and vacant land | SA Government |
| NSW | Full exemption up to $800,000; concessional duty from above $800,000 to under $1 million. Vacant land: exemption up to $350,000 and concession above $350,000 to under $450,000. | New and established homes; vacant land | Revenue NSW |
| VIC | No duty up to $600,000; concession from $600,001–$750,000. | New and established homes; vacant land | VIC Government |
| QLD | Full first-home concession for eligible homes valued at $700,000 or less, with a reduced concession phasing out at $800,000. A separate first-home vacant land concession can provide $0 duty on eligible residential land, with no value cap under the current rules. | Homes and vacant land | Queensland Government |
| ACT | From 1 July 2026, eligible buyers can receive a full conveyance-duty exemption, with the previous property-price and income limits removed. | New homes, established homes and vacant residential land | ACT Government |
| NT | A stamp duty exemption is available for eligible house-and-land packages under the House and Land Package Exemption. There is no property-value cap. | Eligible house-and-land packages | NT Government |
| TAS | The temporary first home buyer duty exemption for established homes ended on 30 June 2026. | No equivalent temporary established-home exemption currently shown. | TAS Government |
Important: these rules and thresholds can change. The table is a general guide only and should be checked against the relevant revenue office before signing a contract.
What is the stamp duty concession for first home buyers in WA?
For first home buyers in Western Australia, the First Home Owner Rate (FHOR) can significantly reduce transfer duty.
For transactions entered into on or after 7 May 2026:
| Property | No duty payable up to | Concession applies up to |
| Home | $600,000 | $800,000 |
| Vacant land | $450,000 | $550,000 |
One useful detail for house-and-land buyers: WA’s current rules also deal with the timing of the building contract. Depending on when that contract is signed, different total-value thresholds can apply to vacant land transactions.
Can I receive a WA stamp duty concession on vacant land?
Yes! If you’re an eligible first home buyer, you may be able to pay no stamp duty or a reduced amount when buying vacant land to build your first home.
For transactions entered into on or after 7 May 2026, the current WA vacant-land thresholds are:
- Up to $450,000: $0 stamp duty.
- $450,001 to $550,000: You may be eligible for a concessional rate.
- Above $550,000: The standard rate generally applies, although specific rules can apply depending on the building contract.
The land also needs to be connected to the construction of an eligible home, and you’ll need to meet the relevant first home buyer and residency requirements.
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in South Australia?
Not always! If you’re an eligible first home buyer in South Australia, you may be able to say goodbye to stamp duty altogether when buying a new home, off-the-plan apartment or vacant land to build your new home.
There is, however, a pretty important catch: the relief generally doesn’t apply to established homes.
So, if you’re buying a brand-new home or planning to build, you could be in luck. The current eligible property types include:
- New homes: Buying a brand-new home that hasn’t previously been occupied.
- Off-the-plan apartments: Purchasing an eligible apartment before construction is complete.
- Vacant land: Buying land with the intention of building your new home on it.
If you’ve found an established home that already has a few stories to tell, unfortunately, first home buyer stamp duty relief generally won’t apply.
There’s also an important live-in requirement to keep in mind. Generally, you’ll need to make the property your principal place of residence and live there for at least six continuous months within the required timeframe.
Is there a property price cap for stamp duty relief in SA?
Here’s the good news: there’s currently no property price cap!
For eligible first home buyers, full stamp duty relief is available on new homes, eligible off-the-plan apartments and vacant land where the contract was entered into on or after 6 June 2024.
How much could a stamp duty concession save me?
Potentially thousands – or even tens of thousands – of dollars.
Exactly how much you could save depends on a few things, including:
- The property price: The more your property is worth, the more stamp duty you may otherwise have to pay.
- Where you’re buying: Every state and territory has its own rules, rates and concessions.
- What you’re buying: An established home, new home, apartment or vacant land may all be treated differently.
- Your property history: Previous property ownership can affect whether you qualify.
- Whether you’ll live there: Many first home buyer concessions are designed for owner-occupiers.
- When you sign the contract: Yep, the date matters! Stamp duty rules and thresholds can change.
To put that into perspective, here are two simple examples based on the current rules.
WA example: $700,000 home
Let’s say you’re an eligible first home buyer buying a $700,000 home in WA.
Under the current First Home Owner Rate (FHOR), you pay $0 duty on the first $600,000. The remaining $100,000 is charged at the concessional rate of $16.15 per $100, giving you an estimated stamp duty bill of $16,150.
Without the first home buyer concession, the same $700,000 property would attract approximately $27,265 in transfer duty.
That’s an estimated saving of $11,115.
That’s more than a little pocket change. It could go towards your deposit, moving costs, new appliances, furniture – or simply stay safely in your bank account for that inevitable “we just bought a house and everything costs money” moment.
SA example: $700,000 new home
Now let’s jump over to South Australia.
Imagine you’re an eligible first home buyer purchasing a $700,000 new home under a contract entered into after 6 June 2024.
Under the current SA first home buyer relief, eligible buyers can receive full stamp duty relief, meaning your estimated stamp duty bill could be $0.
For comparison, the general stamp duty on a $700,000 property is approximately $32,330.
That means an estimated saving of $32,330.
Pretty impressive, right?
Just remember, these figures are estimates only. Your actual stamp duty and potential saving will depend on your individual circumstances and the rules that apply to your purchase.
What is the difference between a stamp duty concession and the First Home Owner Grant?
The simplest way to remember it is:
A stamp duty concession reduces a tax, while the First Home Owner Grant is a payment to eligible buyers.
| Stamp duty concession | First Home Owner Grant | |
| What is it? | A reduction or exemption from transfer/stamp duty | A government grant paid to eligible first home owners |
| How does it help? | Reduces the upfront tax you have to pay | Provides a cash payment to eligible buyers |
| Property rules | Depend on the state and scheme | Depend on the state and scheme |
| Application | Usually claimed through your conveyancer, solicitor or revenue office | Separate application |
| Can you receive both? | Potentially, if you meet both sets of rules | Potentially, if you meet both sets of rules |
The First Home Owner Grant is a national scheme funded and administered by the states and territories, with each jurisdiction setting its own eligibility rules and grant amount.
Can I use a stamp duty concession with the 5% Deposit Scheme?
Yes! In most cases, you can use both, as long as you meet the separate eligibility requirements for each.
Think of them as two different pieces of the first-home-buying puzzle.
The Australian Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme helps eligible first home buyers get into the market with a deposit as low as 5%, without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) under the scheme.
A stamp duty concession, on the other hand, helps reduce one of the upfront costs that comes with buying a property: transfer duty.
In simple terms:
- 5% Deposit Scheme: helps you buy with a smaller deposit and avoid LMI under the scheme.
- Stamp duty concession: helps reduce the tax you pay when purchasing your property.
So, if you’re trying to get your foot in the door with as little upfront cash as possible, it’s worth checking whether you qualify for both. Combining the two could make the upfront cost of your first home a whole lot more manageable.
How do I apply for a stamp duty concession?
Good news: you generally don’t have to tackle the paperwork alone.
In many cases, your conveyancer or solicitor will help with the application and make sure the concession is included as part of the settlement process. One less thing for you to stress about!
Here’s what the process will usually look like:
- Check that you’re eligible. Before signing your contract, take a look at your state or territory’s first home buyer rules.
- Let your conveyancer or solicitor know you’re a first home buyer. The earlier they know, the better – don’t wait until settlement day!
- Complete the relevant application or declaration. Your conveyancer or solicitor can generally guide you through what’s needed.
- Provide your supporting documents. This is where having your paperwork organised can save you a headache.
- Have your concession assessed. If you’re eligible, the concession can be applied to your transaction.
- Meet any ongoing requirements. Some schemes require you to live in the property for a certain period after settlement, so don’t forget about the fine print once you’ve got the keys.
What documents do you need?
Depending on where you’re buying and your circumstances, you may be asked for:
- Proof of identity.
- Evidence of citizenship or permanent residency, where required.
- Your purchase contract.
- Details of your spouse or domestic partner.
- Evidence that you meet the first home buyer requirements.
- Building or construction documents if you’re buying vacant land or a house-and-land package.
In South Australia, for example, applications are generally lodged by the representative handling the property settlement after the buyer provides the required information and documents.
Can I lose my stamp duty concession?
Yes, unfortunately, it’s not always a case of getting the concession and forgetting about it.
Some stamp duty concessions come with conditions you need to meet after you buy the property. If you don’t meet those requirements, your concession could be reassessed and you may end up having to pay some or all of the stamp duty you were originally exempt from.
You could run into trouble if you:
- Don’t move in within the required timeframe.
- Don’t live in the property for the required continuous period.
- Rent the property out or turn it into an investment before you’ve met the relevant residence requirements.
- Provide incorrect or incomplete information when applying for the concession.
The exact rules depend on where you’re buying, so it’s important to check the requirements for your state.
What’s the TL;DR?
Buying your first home comes with plenty of costs, but stamp duty doesn’t always have to be one of them.
Depending on where you’re buying, what you’re buying and whether you meet the eligibility requirements, you could score a significant discount, or even pay $0 in stamp duty.
But it’s important to remember: the rules aren’t the same across Australia. Your potential saving can depend on your state, property type, purchase price, contract date and personal circumstances. And because these rules can change, it’s always worth checking the latest requirements before you sign on the dotted line.
If you’re thinking about building rather than buying an established home, definitely run the numbers. A house-and-land package could make you eligible for first home buyer benefits that aren’t available when purchasing an established property.
If you’re looking to build in WA or SA, check out La Vida Homes’ Perth and Adelaide house-and-land packages and see where your first-home journey could take you.
