How Much Is Stamp Duty in Queensland?

In Queensland, stamp duty is officially called transfer duty and is administered by the Queensland Revenue Office (QRO). For a standard owner-occupier (not a first home buyer, not an investor), the home concession applies at the following indicative rates: • Up to $350,000: 1.00% • $350,001 to $540,000: $3,500 plus 3.50% of the value over $350,000 • $540,001 to $1,000,000: $10,150 plus 4.50% of the value over $540,000 • Over $1,000,000: $30,850 plus 5.75% of the value over $1,000,000 For an investment property (not your principal place of residence), the general transfer duty rates are higher across each band, starting at 1.5% and scaling up. Foreign buyers pay an additional 8% Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty (AFAD) on top of standard duty. These rates are indicative and the QRO calculator at qro.qld.gov.au gives a binding number for your contract price.

Queensland's first home concessions are now among the most generous in Australia, following further reforms that took effect on 1 May 2025. If you are a genuine first home buyer purchasing an established home to live in: • Homes valued at $700,000 or less: $0 stamp duty (full exemption) • Homes valued between $700,001 and $799,999: a phasing concession (a partial discount that reduces as the price rises) • Homes valued at $800,000 or more: the standard home concession rates apply, with no first home discount For new homes (never previously occupied) under contracts dated 1 May 2025 or later, the first home (new home) concession applies with no value cap. Eligible buyers pay $0 stamp duty regardless of the purchase price. For vacant land used to build a first home (contracts dated 1 May 2025 or later), the first home vacant land concession also applies with no value cap, provided you build and move in within two years of settlement. Thresholds and rules change; the binding figures for your contract are those published by the Queensland Revenue Office at qro.qld.gov.au.

To qualify for the Queensland first home concession, you must: • Be at least 18 years of age • Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (one applicant qualifying is generally sufficient for couples) • Have never previously held an interest in residential land anywhere in Australia or overseas (including as a beneficiary of certain trusts) • Move into the home within one year of settlement and live there continuously for at least one year • Not rent any part of the property before you move in (and limited rules apply during your first year) If you breach the residence requirement (for example, you rent out the home or sell within the first year), QRO will reassess and claw back the concession with interest. There is no income test for the Queensland first home concession.

Beyond stamp duty, allow for: • Mortgage registration fee: a small flat amount (around $200 to $250) • Transfer registration fee: scales with property value, usually a few hundred dollars • Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), if borrowing more than 80% of the property value and not using a guarantee scheme • Conveyancer or solicitor fees (typically $1,200 to $2,500) • Building and pest inspection (typically $400 to $700) • Council and water rate adjustments at settlement • Home and contents insurance, required from settlement day First home buyers in Queensland may also be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) of $30,000 for newly built homes valued at $750,000 or less. The grant is separate from the stamp duty concession and you can claim both if eligible. A broker can stack the concession, the FHOG, and federal schemes like the First Home Guarantee to minimise upfront costs.

This is general information only, not personal credit advice. Your actual options depend on your full financial picture, including your income, deposit, credit profile, and the specific loan structure you need. Speak with a licensed broker for advice tailored to your situation.