Stamp Duty Concessions: State by State

As with grants, stamp duty thresholds and concessions are set by each state and territory and change regularly, sometimes with very little notice. The figures below are correct as at August 2026. Always confirm the current thresholds with your state revenue office or conveyancer before you rely on them.

What is a Stamp Duty Concession?

Stamp duty (officially called transfer duty in most states) is a state based tax charged when you buy property. It’s usually one of the biggest single upfront costs of a purchase (see my post on Upfront Costs of Purchasing Property), so a full or partial exemption for first home buyers can make a genuinely huge difference to what you need to save.

Unlike a First Home Owner Grant, a stamp duty concession isn’t a cash payment, it’s a reduction (sometimes a full elimination) of a cost you’d otherwise have to pay. In several states it also applies to established homes, not just new ones, which makes it a much more flexible piece of support for a lot of buyers.

The Concession, State by State

New South Wales: No stamp duty on new or established homes valued up to $800,000, with a sliding concession up to $1,000,000. Vacant land is exempt up to $350,000, with a concession to $450,000.
Victoria: No stamp duty on new or established homes up to $600,000, with a sliding concession up to $750,000.
Queensland: No stamp duty on established homes up to $700,000, with a concession up to $800,000. New homes and vacant land intended for a new build attract no stamp duty at all, with no cap.
South Australia: No stamp duty on new homes and vacant land intended for a new build, with no property value cap. Established homes don’t receive a first home buyer concession, standard duty applies.
Western Australia: No stamp duty on new or established homes up to $600,000, with a concession up to $800,000. Vacant land is exempt up to $450,000, with a concession to $550,000.
Tasmania: No current stamp duty concession for first home buyers. A temporary exemption on established homes up to $750,000 ended on 30 June 2026 and was not extended.
Australian Capital Territory: No stamp duty at all for eligible first home buyers, on new or established homes, with no property value cap and no income test. This makes the ACT the most generous jurisdiction in the country for stamp duty relief, and the first to remove it entirely for first home buyers.
Northern Territory: No general stamp duty concession for first home buyers, though an exemption may apply for eligible new house and land packages under a separate scheme.

Why Established Home Buyers Should Pay Close Attention

If you’re buying an established home, the stamp duty concession is usually your main piece of state government support, since the cash grant in most states is reserved for new homes. NSW, Victoria and WA all still offer meaningful concessions on established homes, while SA and Tasmania currently don’t, which is a genuinely significant difference depending on where you’re buying.

Pros of Stamp Duty Concessions

  • Can apply to established homes, unlike the FHOG in most states, giving you far more choice in what you buy.
  • The saving is immediate and upfront, reducing exactly the cost that tends to catch first home buyers out.
  • No repayment or ongoing obligation, once you’ve met the residency requirements, it’s yours.

Cons of Stamp Duty Concessions

  • Price caps can be tight in expensive markets, and once you’re over the upper threshold, you get no concession at all.
  • The sliding concession between the lower and upper threshold means partial relief, not a full exemption, so it pays to know exactly where your purchase price sits.
  • Residency requirements apply, similar to the FHOG, you generally need to live in the property for a minimum period.
  • Not available at all in some states for established homes (SA and Tasmania currently), which can catch buyers by surprise if they’re comparing notes with friends interstate.

Case Example

Kristine is buying an established $650,000 home in NSW. She won’t receive the $10,000 FHOG, since that’s for new homes only, but because her purchase falls under the $800,000 threshold, she pays $0 in stamp duty under the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme. That alone saves her tens of thousands of dollars compared to a buyer without first home buyer status.

The Bottom Line

Stamp duty concessions are often worth more than the cash grant, and in several states they’re the only meaningful support available if you’re buying established. Always check the current threshold for your state against your actual purchase price before you factor any saving into your budget.