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NSW Stamp Duty Calculator

Calculate stamp duty (transfer duty) in New South Wales. First home buyers may be exempt on properties up to $800,000.

Reviewed 4 May 2026Built in AustraliaData stays on your deviceATO sourced data

Calculate stamp duty for property purchases in New South Wales. NSW calls it 'transfer duty' and charges rates from 1.25% to 7% depending on property value.

  • First home buyers are fully exempt on properties up to $800,000
  • Concession rates apply between $800,000 and $1,000,000
  • Foreign buyer surcharge is 8% on top of standard duty
  • Off-the-plan purchases may qualify for a duty reduction

Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates for general information purposes only. Results should not be relied upon as professional financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax rates and thresholds are based on publicly available ATO data and may change. Always consult a qualified tax agent or financial adviser for advice specific to your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is stamp duty on a $800,000 property in NSW?
On an $800,000 property in NSW, a standard buyer pays approximately $31,335 in transfer duty. However, first home buyers purchasing a property at exactly $800,000 or below are fully exempt from stamp duty in NSW. This exemption saves first home buyers over $31,000 on a property at this price point.
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in NSW?
First home buyers in NSW are fully exempt from stamp duty on properties valued up to $800,000. For properties between $800,000 and $1,000,000, a sliding concession applies — you pay a reduced rate that increases as the price approaches $1,000,000. Above $1,000,000, first home buyers pay the standard rate with no concession. The property must be a new or existing home (not vacant land for this threshold).
What is the foreign buyer surcharge in NSW?
Foreign buyers in NSW pay an additional 8% surcharge on top of standard stamp duty. This applies to foreign nationals, temporary visa holders, and foreign-owned companies purchasing residential property. On a $1,000,000 property, this adds $80,000 to the duty bill. The surcharge has been in place since 2016 and applies to all residential property purchases by foreign persons.
When is stamp duty due in NSW?
In NSW, stamp duty (transfer duty) must be paid within 3 months of signing the contract for sale. In practice, most buyers pay at settlement through their solicitor or conveyancer. If duty is not paid within the 3-month window, interest and penalties may apply. Your conveyancer will typically handle the payment through Revenue NSW as part of the settlement process.
Is stamp duty tax deductible in NSW?
Stamp duty is not tax deductible for your principal residence. However, for investment properties, stamp duty is added to the property's cost base for capital gains tax (CGT) purposes, reducing your capital gain when you eventually sell. It cannot be claimed as an annual tax deduction against rental income. This treatment applies in all states, not just NSW.

What is NSW Stamp Duty?

Stamp duty (also called transfer duty) is a state government tax paid when you purchase property in Australia. Each state and territory sets its own rates and thresholds.

How this calculator works

This calculator contains the complete stamp duty schedule for all 8 Australian states and territories: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, and NT. It applies the correct bracket rates for your property price. For first home buyers, it checks whether you qualify for a full exemption or concession based on state-specific thresholds (e.g., NSW exempts purchases up to $800,000). The state comparison view shows how much you'd pay in every state for the same property price, sorted from cheapest to most expensive.

What Is Stamp Duty?

Stamp duty (also called transfer duty) is a one-off state government tax paid when you purchase property or land in Australia. It is calculated as a percentage of the property's purchase price or market value (whichever is higher) and must be paid at or shortly after settlement. Stamp duty is one of the largest upfront costs of buying property and cannot be added to your mortgage — it must be paid from your own savings.

Why Does Stamp Duty Vary by State?

Each Australian state and territory sets its own stamp duty rates, thresholds, and concessions. This means the same property could attract very different duty amounts depending on which state it is located in. State governments rely on stamp duty as a major revenue source. The ACT is the only jurisdiction actively phasing out stamp duty, replacing it with higher annual land tax over a 20-year transition period.

First Home Buyer Concessions

Every state except SA offers stamp duty exemptions or concessions for first home buyers. These range from full exemptions (no duty payable) below a certain price threshold, to sliding-scale concessions that phase out as the price increases. The thresholds and eligibility requirements vary significantly between states — for example, NSW exempts purchases up to $800,000 while the ACT exempts up to $1,000,000. First home buyers should always check their state-specific concession before budgeting.

Foreign Buyer Surcharges

Most states impose an additional stamp duty surcharge on foreign buyers (non-residents and temporary visa holders) purchasing residential property. Surcharges range from 7% to 8% on top of the standard duty (QLD increased to 8% from 1 May 2025). Tasmania, the NT, and the ACT do not charge a foreign buyer stamp duty surcharge (the ACT 0.75% surcharge applies to land tax, not stamp duty).

Off-the-Plan Concessions

Several states offer stamp duty concessions for off-the-plan purchases (buying an apartment or townhouse before it is built). In NSW and VIC, duty may be calculated on the land value only at the contract date rather than the final completed value, which can result in significant savings. Eligibility and conditions vary by state.

When Is Stamp Duty Paid?

Stamp duty is typically due within 30 days of settlement (though this varies by state — in NSW it is due within 3 months of the contract date). Your solicitor or conveyancer usually handles the payment as part of the settlement process. Most states now allow electronic lodgement and payment through their revenue office portals.

Stamp Duty on a $700,000 Property — All States Compared (Standard Buyer)

ACT~$17,100
NT~$24,684 (formula-based)
QLD~$17,325
TAS~$26,876
NSW~$26,235
SA~$30,830
WA~$26,215
VIC~$31,070

Amounts are approximate and based on standard published rates for an established residential property. Actual amounts may vary due to rounding and concessions. Foreign buyer surcharges are not included.

First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Exemption Thresholds by State

NSWFull exemption up to $800,000 (concession to $1,000,000)
VICFull exemption up to $600,000 (concession to $750,000)
QLDFull exemption up to $700,000 (concession to $800,000)
WAFull exemption up to $430,000 (concession to $530,000)
SANo stamp duty exemption (FHOG of $15,000 for new homes instead)
TASFull exemption up to $750,000 for eligible first home buyers
ACTFull exemption up to $1,020,000 (updated 1 Jul 2025)
NTNo stamp duty concession for first home buyers (FHOG of $50,000 for new homes instead)

Thresholds and concessions change regularly. Always verify current thresholds with your state revenue office before making a purchase decision.

Worked Examples

$700,000 established property in NSW — standard buyer (not first home buyer)

Stamp duty: $26,235

  1. NSW uses a progressive bracket system
  2. First $16,000: $16,000 x 1.25% = $200
  3. $16,001 - $35,000: $19,000 x 1.50% = $285
  4. $35,001 - $93,000: $58,000 x 1.75% = $1,015
  5. $93,001 - $351,000: $258,000 x 3.50% = $9,030
  6. $351,001 - $700,000: $349,000 x 4.50% = $15,705
  7. Total stamp duty: $26,235

$600,000 established property in QLD — first home buyer

Stamp duty: $0 (fully exempt)

  1. Queensland FHB exemption threshold: $700,000 for established homes
  2. Purchase price of $600,000 is below the $700,000 threshold
  3. First home buyer qualifies for full stamp duty exemption
  4. Standard duty would have been approximately $11,550
  5. Total saving: $11,550

All calculations are performed in your browser — your data never leaves your device. Results are for general guidance only and should not be considered professional financial advice.

Built and maintained by Konstantin Iakovlev. Data sourced from the ATO and official Australian government sources.