Stamp Duty Calculator — Australian Capital Territory
Calculate exactly what you'll pay in transfer duty when buying property in Australian Capital Territory. Live 2025–26 rates, first home concessions, and foreign buyer surcharges all included.
$
Enter the contract price (no GST adjustments needed for residential).
Estimated stamp duty payableAustralian Capital Territory
$0
Breakdown
- Base conveyance duty: $15314
- Total payable: $0
Notes for Australian Capital Territory
- Income-tested Home Buyer Concession Scheme (HBCS) may eliminate duty entirely — check eligibility on Revenue ACT.
- If you meet HBCS income thresholds, you pay $0 duty (full concession).
Estimate only. Final amount depends on contract date, exact concession eligibility, and revenue office assessment. See ACT Revenue Office for the official calculator. Not financial advice.
Worked examples — Australian Capital Territory stamp duty at common price points
Below are sample calculations for typical Australian Capital Territory property purchases. Adjust the calculator above for your exact price.
| Price | First home buyer | Owner-occupier | Investor |
|---|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | $0 | $5,494 | $5,494 |
| $600,000 | $0 | $13,154 | $13,154 |
| $800,000 | $0 | $22,584 | $22,584 |
| $1,000,000 | $0 | $34,384 | $34,384 |
| $1,500,000 | $68,100 | $68,100 | $68,100 |
Where to verify these figures
For the official government calculator and the latest concession rules, see ACT Revenue Office. They publish the authoritative rates and any mid-year changes.
What else to budget for in Australian Capital Territory
Stamp duty is the biggest one-off cost, but not the only one. Most Australian Capital Territory buyers should also budget for:
- Conveyancing fees: $1,500–$3,000 — solicitor or conveyancer to handle settlement
- Building & pest inspection: $400–$700 — essential for established homes
- Loan establishment fees: $0–$700 depending on lender
- Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI): if your deposit is under 20%
- Title transfer & registration fees: $200–$300 (paid to ACT Revenue Office)
For most Australian Capital Territory buyers, total upfront costs (excluding deposit) sit around 5–8% of the purchase price.
Australian Capital Territory stamp duty FAQs
What is the ACT Home Buyer Concession Scheme (HBCS)?
The HBCS is the ACT's main first home buyer concession. Unlike most states, it's income-tested rather than property-price-tested:
- If your household income is below the threshold (varies by household size), you may pay $0 duty
- The scheme applies to any property type — established, new, or land
Check eligibility on Revenue ACT before assuming the concession.
Does the ACT have a foreign buyer surcharge?
Yes, but it's the lowest in Australia: 0.75% Foreign Purchaser Surcharge on residential property. Compare to NSW (9%), VIC (8%), or QLD (8%).
Why is ACT stamp duty different from other states?
The ACT is gradually phasing out stamp duty in favour of higher annual general rates. Each year, conveyance duty rates are reduced. Long-term, the goal is to abolish stamp duty entirely — though that timeline keeps shifting.
What is stamp duty in Australia?
Stamp duty (also called transfer duty or conveyance duty) is a one-off tax you pay to your state or territory government when you buy property. It's calculated as a percentage of the purchase price, with rates and thresholds set by each state — there is no federal stamp duty.
For most homebuyers, stamp duty is the largest upfront cost after the deposit, often $20,000–$50,000+ for a typical home.
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty?
It depends on your state and the property price. Most states have full or partial exemptions for first home buyers up to a price cap:
- NSW: No duty up to $800,000 (sliding to $1,000,000)
- VIC: No duty up to $600,000 (sliding to $750,000)
- QLD: No duty up to $700,000 (sliding to $800,000) since May 2024
- SA: No duty for new homes (no price cap, since June 2024)
- WA: No duty up to $450,000 (sliding to $600,000)
Use the calculator above with "First home buyer" selected to see your exact amount.
When do you pay stamp duty?
Stamp duty is typically due within 30 to 90 days of contract signing or settlement, depending on the state. Most buyers pay it at settlement through their conveyancer or solicitor, who handles it as part of the property transfer.
You can't roll stamp duty into your home loan as such — it must be paid in cash or from your savings — but some lenders allow you to borrow the equivalent against equity if you have it.
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