Stamp Duty QLD First Home Buyer: 2026 Exemptions Explained

Queensland's transfer duty system underwent a major overhaul in two stages — June 2024 and May 2025 — and first home buyers are now in the best position they have been in decades. For new builds, there is no transfer duty at all, regardless of purchase price. For established homes under $700,000, there is also zero duty payable.

Here is exactly how it works.

What Is Transfer Duty?

Transfer duty (formerly called stamp duty) is a Queensland state tax levied on the transfer of property ownership. It is calculated as a percentage of the dutiable value — either the actual purchase price or the unencumbered market value, whichever is higher. It is paid at settlement and must be satisfied before Titles Queensland will register the transfer.

At standard rates, an investor buying a $700,000 property pays $24,525. A first home buyer buying the same property under the current rules pays $0.

The Three Concession Categories

1. Brand-New or Substantially Renovated Homes

From 1 May 2025, eligible first home buyers purchasing new homes pay zero transfer duty with no property value cap. A first home buyer purchasing a $1,000,000 off-the-plan apartment pays exactly the same as one buying a $400,000 house-and-land package: $0.

This applies to:

• Newly constructed homes never previously occupied or sold
• Off-the-plan apartments and townhouses
• Homes that have undergone a "substantial renovation" (almost all of the original structure physically replaced by a registered vendor)
• Vacant residential land on which you intend to build your first home (also uncapped from 1 May 2025)

2. Established Homes Under $700,000

First home buyers purchasing an existing residential property valued at $700,000 or below pay zero transfer duty. This saves up to $17,350 compared to the standard home concession rate.

3. The Sliding Scale: $700,001 to $800,000

Between $700,001 and $800,000, a partial concession applies. The full home concession duty is calculated, then a portion is subtracted. The higher the price, the smaller the discount, until it disappears entirely at $800,000.

Here is how the concession plays out at key price points:

For established homes above $800,000, you pay the standard home concession rate — no first home buyer benefit applies. At $800,000, that means roughly $21,850.

How to Estimate Your Duty on an Established Home

The QRO calculates duty based on each $100 (or part of $100) of the dutiable value. For a $650,000 established home:

• Property is below $700,000 — full exemption applies
• Duty payable: $0

For a $730,000 established home:

• Full home concession rate on $730,000 = $18,700 (approximately)
• First home concession discount = $12,145
• Net duty payable = $6,555

The QRO's online duty calculator at qro.qld.gov.au provides exact figures for any price point. Always use this for your specific transaction rather than rough estimates.

What Is Not Covered

The first home buyer transfer duty exemptions only apply if:

• You are purchasing as a natural person (not a company or trust)
• You intend to occupy the property as your principal place of residence within 12 months of settlement
• Neither you nor your spouse or de facto partner has previously owned residential property in Australia that you lived in
• For new builds: the property meets the definition of "new home" under Queensland law

Investors and buyers purchasing through entities (companies, trusts, SMSFs) pay standard duty rates. Foreign buyers also pay an Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty (AFAD) surcharge of 8% on the residential land value, on top of standard rates — this applies even if you are otherwise eligible for a first home concession.

The New Build vs. Established Trade-Off

Above $700,000, the math changes substantially. Consider a buyer choosing between a $750,000 established townhouse and a $750,000 new house-and-land package:

That difference — $40,925 in this example — is significant. It can fund a larger deposit, cover all transaction costs, or remain in offset. The new build path requires patience (construction timelines of 12–18 months are common), but the financial case is strong at this price point.

Paying Duty at Settlement

Transfer duty is handled by your solicitor at settlement and is processed through the PEXA platform. You do not pay it separately in advance. Your solicitor will calculate the exact amount (if any is payable) and include it in the final settlement statement. Unpaid Tax Interest applies if duty is not satisfied on time — the current rate is 11.78% per annum calculated daily from the due date.

For a complete breakdown of all upfront costs when buying your first Queensland home — including title registration fees, legal costs, PEXA fees, and inspection costs — the Queensland First Home Buyer Guide includes detailed cost worksheets for both new builds and established property purchases.

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