Why this is the biggest saving you'll find
Stamp duty is usually a first home buyer's largest single upfront cost after the deposit — and it's also the one most likely to be waived. Below the full-exemption threshold in your state you may pay zero, so knowing your state's rules is worth thousands.
First home concessions by state
| State | First home buyer treatment |
|---|---|
| NSW | First home buyers pay no duty on new or established homes up to $800,000, with a concession tapering out to $1,000,000. |
| VIC | First home buyers pay no duty on a home up to $600,000, with a sliding concession from $600,001 to $750,000. |
| QLD | First home buyers pay no duty on a home up to $700,000, tapering to $800,000, and new or off-the-plan first homes have no price cap from May 2025. |
| WA | From 21 March 2025, first home buyers in the metropolitan/Peel area pay no duty up to $500,000, then a concessional rate to $700,000. |
| SA | South Australia has abolished stamp duty for eligible first home buyers of new or off-the-plan homes, with no value cap. |
| TAS | Eligible first home buyers currently receive a full duty exemption on established homes up to $750,000 — a temporary concession. |
| ACT | The ACT's Home Buyer Concession Scheme can reduce duty to $0, but eligibility is income-tested rather than capped by price. |
| NT | The NT has no blanket first-home duty exemption, but home-owner grants and territory schemes (such as house-and-land and territory home-owner discounts) can cut your upfront costs. |
Tick First home buyer in the calculator and choose your state to see your concession applied to your exact price.
Common eligibility rules
- You (and generally your partner) must not have previously owned residential property in Australia.
- You must buy as an individual, not through a company or trust.
- You usually must move in within 12 months and live there for a set minimum period.
- Value caps and, in the ACT, income tests apply. New or off-the-plan homes sometimes get more generous treatment (SA, QLD).
Rules differ in detail between states, so confirm with your state revenue office before you sign a contract.
Explore your state
Frequently asked questions
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in Australia?
Often not. Every state offers a concession and most fully exempt eligible first home buyers below a threshold — for example up to $800,000 in NSW, $600,000 in VIC and $700,000 in QLD.
What counts as a first home buyer?
Generally you (and usually your partner) must never have owned property in Australia, you must buy as an individual, and you must move in within a set period. Each state has its own precise rules.
Can I get the First Home Owner Grant as well?
Often yes — the grant (usually for new homes) is separate from the stamp duty concession, so eligible buyers can receive both.