What stamp duty is
Stamp duty, also called transfer duty, is a state tax on buying property. It’s a percentage of the price, and the rate climbs as the price does. Each state and territory sets its own rates and thresholds.
When you pay depends on the state. In most, your conveyancer arranges payment at or before settlement. In NSW it’s technically due within 3 months of exchange. Either way it sits outside your deposit and your loan, so budget for it on top of the price.
On a $750,000 home it runs from roughly $10,000 to $30,000 depending on the state. Worth knowing early.
First home buyer concessions
Most states cut stamp duty for first home buyers, from a full exemption to a sliding discount. The thresholds move from time to time.
Most concessions need the home to be your principal place of residence. Your conveyancer or the state revenue office has the full conditions.
What the calculator covers
All eight states and territories, each on its own published 2025/26 schedule, with the first home buyer exemptions and discounts where they exist. The effective rate is duty as a share of the price, which is the easiest way to compare price points.