Stamp Duty When You Buy Property in Another State
Duty follows the property, not you. Here is how the states compare.
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Transfer duty, usually called stamp duty, is charged by the state or territory where the property is, not where you live. A Sydney buyer purchasing in Brisbane pays Queensland duty under Queensland rules, and a concession you would get at home may not exist there. For most buyers duty is the largest cost after the price itself, so it is worth checking before you make an offer.
Optimum Lawyers is a property law firm in Parramatta Square, led by principal solicitor Wisam Assi. We act on purchases, sales, settlements and transfers in every Australian state and territory.

Ask us to check the duty on an interstate purchase
We offer a free initial contract assessment. It is a brief first look at whether the contract appears ready for a full paid legal review. It is not the full review, and it is not free conveyancing.
First home buyer concessions compared
| State | Homes | More detail |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | No duty up to $800,000, reduced duty below $1 million (contracts from 1 July 2023) | Stamp duty NSW |
| Victoria | No duty up to $600,000, reduced duty up to $750,000 | Stamp duty Victoria |
| Queensland | New homes: duty may be nil at any value (contracts from 1 May 2025). Established homes: no duty up to $700,000, reduced duty below $800,000 | Stamp duty QLD |
| Western Australia | No duty up to $600,000, reduced duty up to $800,000 (agreements from 7 May 2026) | Stamp duty WA |
Each concession has its own conditions, usually including citizenship or residency, never having owned a home, and moving in within a set time. Figures are as published by each state revenue office in October 2026 and change regularly.
Foreign buyer surcharges
Foreign persons pay an extra duty on residential property in most states: 9% in NSW, 8% in Victoria and Queensland, and 7% in Western Australia. Whether you count as a foreign person depends on the state's definition, which can differ from the federal foreign investment rules. Trusts and companies with foreign beneficiaries or shareholders can also be caught.
How duty is worked out
- Duty is usually calculated on the higher of the price and the market value.
- Rates rise in steps as the value increases, so a small change in price can change the duty.
- Each state sets its own rates, thresholds and exemptions, and the date that counts is usually the contract date, not settlement.
- Transfers between family members can attract full duty on market value even when no money changes hands, unless an exemption applies.
Other states and territories
South Australia removed duty for eligible first home buyers of new homes, the ACT has an income-tested Home Buyer Concession Scheme, and Tasmania and the Northern Territory have their own schemes. Check with the relevant revenue office, or ask us, before you sign.
Why it matters for interstate buyers
Duty is normally paid at or before settlement, and your lender may not cover it. Concessions often need forms lodged before settlement, and residence conditions can be hard to meet if you are buying a property you will not live in. We check the duty position as part of every interstate purchase. See interstate conveyancing.
What clients say
“We've used his services on multiple properties on both local and interstate buying and selling”
Edgi Vega, Google review
Questions about stamp duty
Which state’s stamp duty do I pay?
The state or territory where the property is. Where you live does not change it.
Can I get a first home buyer concession in another state?
Possibly, but you must meet that state’s conditions, which usually include moving in and living there for a set time.
When is stamp duty paid?
Usually at or before settlement. Some states set an earlier deadline from the contract date, and some allow deferral for off-the-plan purchases.
Do foreign buyers pay more stamp duty?
Yes, in most states. The surcharge is 9% in NSW, 8% in Victoria and Queensland, and 7% in Western Australia.
Related: Stamp duty NSW | Stamp duty Victoria | Stamp duty QLD | Stamp duty WA
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