Queensland Stamp Duty Calculator

The Queensland Government collect Transfer Duty, also know as “Stamp Duty” on most property transactions in this state. It is collected by the Office of State Revenue. The purchaser is responsible for the payment of this duty. Purchasers may be eligible for just one of a number of concessions depending a number of factors. Factors affecting concessions including whether you are purchasing your first house or land, whether you will live at the property, your age and nature of other people purchasing with you. There are other factors.

For the best guidance on your eligibility for a concession at this point, you can use the “tester” at the Queensland Office of State Revenue web site to determine which, if any of the concessions apply to you. It is a guide only and does not replace the formal assessment by a professional to determine your exact stamp duty obligation.

Once you have guidance if any concession applies to your property purchase, you can use our calculator to forecast the amount of Stamp Duty payable.

For an estimate of the Transfer Duty on your property purchase, complete the form below and submit. An exact calculation of the Transfer Duty will be calculated during the conveyancing process.

Stamp Duty Update for New Home Buyers in Queensland 2025

If you are a first new home buyer in Queensland, a significant change has made it easier and more affordable to enter the property market. As of 1 May 2025, eligible first home buyers of a new home may be eligible to pay no stamp duty (also known as transfer duty) when purchasing a new home. This change, introduced by the Queensland Government, aims to reduce the upfront financial burden on buyers and make new home ownership more accessible.

We specialise in property law and conveyancing in Brisbane. We’re here to help you understand what this new legislation means for you and how you can take advantage of the changes when purchasing your first home.

What’s Changed for First New Home Buyers?

Under the new legislation, first new home buyers who enter into a contract on or after 1 May 2025 may be exempt from paying stamp duty on their purchase. This exemption applies to new homes or substantially renovated homes. However, the property must be used as the buyer's primary place of residence for 12 months and residence starts within 12 months of settlement.

This change can result in substantial savings. 

Who Is Eligible for the Stamp Duty Exemption?

To qualify for the stamp duty exemption, first home buyers must meet the following requirements:

• The buyer must be purchasing their first ever home 
• The contract must be signed on or after 1 May 2025.
• The property must be used as the buyer’s primary place of residence within 12 months of settlement.
• The home must be a new home or new substantially renovated home. 
• Buyers must not have previously owned property or land in Queensland or in any other state or country.

There is no cap on the property value for eligibility, which means even those purchasing higher-priced homes can benefit from this exemption. However, it’s important to note that the buyer must use the property as their primary residence and cannot rent out the home if they wish to receive the stamp duty exemption.

Potential Savings for First Home Buyers

The abolition of stamp duty can result in significant financial savings. For example, a first home buyer purchasing a property valued at $750,000 would have previously paid around $10,925.00 in stamp duty. Under the new rules, this cost is completely removed if the home is a new build, which could ease the financial strain of entering the property market.

These savings can make a huge difference for first home buyers, particularly in Brisbane and surrounding regions where property prices are higher. The Queensland Government’s stamp duty reform is an important step in making home ownership more achievable.

How much Is stamp duty in Queensland?

The amount of duty that you pay is dependant on a variety of factors. The dutiable amount is determined using a formula which considers how much you are paying for the property (the purchase price). The greater the purchase price, the greater the duty. There are a number of concessions or exemptions that you may be eligible for to minimise this duty and you should always check with an expert before assuming eligibility for a concession and setting your budget.

In some circumstances you may not be paying anything for the property – does this mean you don’t pay duty? Unfortunately, not - while there may not be a monetary consideration or purchase price for the property you are still required to obtain evidence of market value and the stamp duty amount will be calculated from this. Evidence can include a valuation obtained from a certified valuer or a real estate agents market appraisal that references 3 nearby properties and what they sold for as well as a brief description of the property.

How does Queensland Stamp Duty concessions work?

Instruments such as a transfer of land will require stamping prior to being accepted at the title’s office. Without the stamping insert, the titles office will refuse to accept he document and the change of name from the seller to the buyer will not be possible. The stamping insert can either be imprinted by the Office of State Revenue directly, or by a registered self-assessor. As registered self-assessors, we are capable of assessing your circumstances and calculating stamp duty and a variety of applicable exemptions or concessions to reduce or vary your stamp duty. The benefit of having a conveyancer like us complete your stamping is that our turnaround times are much quicker than contacting the OSR and you do not need to send original documents in the post where they have the potential to go missing. In order for us to claim your concession/exemption we will need to collect a declaration signed by the buyer confirming that they understand and agree to comply with the eligibility criteria. The criteria include things like moving into the property within a certain timeframe and continuing to reside in the property for a specified period of time or not disposing of the property (which would include either renting out or selling the property).

Both the self-assessment and claiming of concessions are part of our standard conveyancing retainer and do not incur additional fees.

Stamp duty vs Transfer duty vs Registration Fees

Stamp duty and Transfer Duty are the same thing however as Transfer Duty is used by the Queensland Office of State Revenue it is the more correct term. Registration Fees on the other hand are entirely different and are a separate fee charged by the Queensland Department of Resources and Mines (the ‘Titles office’) at the time of lodgement. Registration fees are based off the purchase price much the same as transfer duty however the amounts are significantly less. If you are obtaining finance to complete your purchase, then your bank will actually deduct the Registration Fees from your loan amount. Both Transfer duty and Registration Fees should be considered when preparing a budget for making an offer on a property.

What is AFAD

AFAD is short for Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty which is an additional duty that applies to buyers who are a foreign person or who are dealing with AFAD residential Land. You will incur AFAD if you are either a foreign individual, foreign corporation or the trustee of a foreign trust. A foreign individual is anyone who is not either an Australian Citizen or a permanent resident. There are special circumstances to consider when determining AFAD for a New Zealand Citizen using a special category visa. A corporation will be foreign if half of the ownership and controlling persons are foreign which is the same as foreign trusts. AFAD will be added on top of the ordinary stamp duty amount and must be paid at the same time.

If you require assistance calculating stamp duty or registration fees then do not hesitate to contact our office.

Why You Need a Conveyancing Lawyer

While the new stamp duty exemption provides great benefits, buying your first home still comes with complex legal requirements. Having an experienced conveyancing lawyer on your side can help ensure everything goes smoothly. From reviewing contracts to managing the settlement process, your conveyancing lawyer will ensure that your rights are protected throughout the purchase.

At River City Conveyancing we are experienced property and conveyancing lawyers in Brisbane, and we are here to guide you through every step of the property buying process. Whether you’re applying for the stamp duty exemption, navigating the contract terms, or managing settlement, we can help ensure that you understand your rights and obligations and that you make the most of the financial opportunities available to you.

Get in Touch with Our Conveyancing Lawyers

If you’re a first home buyer looking to take advantage of Queensland’s new stamp duty exemption, contact us today. Our team of experienced Brisbane-based property and conveyancing lawyers is here to provide you with expert legal advice and guide you through the property buying process.

Purchasing your first home is an exciting and significant step, and we’re here to make sure that you’re well-prepared and well-supported every step of the way.