Everything About Stamp Duty in Queensland

Getting a home or any property in Queensland is a dream shared by many, but the upfront costs, especially the stamp duty, can be overwhelming and slow down your plans.

Stamp duty being the most substantial of these costs, you need to understand how it works to get your mortgage moving forward with ease.

Officially known as transfer duty in Queensland, it is a tax paid to the government when you buy or transfer any property. The amount payable depends on the property’s value.

Understanding how stamp duty works, how the costs add up, and whether you're eligible for any concessions can help you plan your budget more effectively. This makes the journey to buying your home smoother and hassle-free.

What Is Stamp Duty?

Stamp duty, in simple terms, is the tax you pay to the state government when property ownership changes hands. Every property purchase is subject to stamp duty, whether it is a residential, commercial, or land transaction. 

The revenue generated from stamp duty is then used by the government to fund public services and infrastructure across the state.

The stamp duty amount varies depending on what kind of property you are buying and where you are buying. The amount can also change significantly depending on whether you qualify for concessions under Queensland mortgage laws.

All of this makes it crucial to understand stamp duty and related laws early, especially if you’re planning to take out a mortgage.

How Does Stamp Duty Work in Queensland?

Queensland uses progressive transfer duty rates, which means you don't pay one flat amount on the full property value. Instead, it's a progressive ladder; the higher the property costs, the more you pay overall. 

For example, if you're buying a property worth $750,000 with no concessions, your total stamp duty would be calculated across these brackets, totalling roughly between $20,000 and $30,000.

After purchasing the property, you must pay the duty to the Queensland Revenue Office within 30 days of the contract becoming unconditional, to legally register the property in your name. 

Failing to pay the duty on time can result in Unpaid Tax Interest (UTI) and a final demand from the Queensland State Revenue Office.

Under current QRO rates, the UTI rate is 11.78%. This interest begins accruing daily from the due date until the duty is paid in full. Continued non-payment may also result in penalty tax and further legal action.

New Updates to Stamp Duty in Queensland

From May 1, 2025, the Queensland Government has introduced several changes to stamp duty to improve housing affordability, especially for first-home buyers. Here’s a closer look at the updates.

• Zero stamp duty for first-home buyers: First-home buyers purchasing a new home or vacant land to build their first home are eligible to pay $0 stamp duty.

• Additional benefits for first-home buyers include:

  • Full stamp duty relief on properties valued up to $700,000

  • Concessions on properties up to $800,000, reducing upfront costs and making it easier to access homeownership.

• Additional duty for foreign buyers:  Foreign investors purchasing residential properties have to pay an additional 8% duty on top of the standard duty rate. This measure is intended to improve housing availability for local buyers.

As eligibility rules and thresholds can change, you should always keep track of current conditions in the transfer/stamp duty and other mortgage laws through official government sources.

Complete List of the Current Stamp Duty Rates in Queensland

Stamp duty rates in Queensland are applied progressively. The standard residential rates are generally structured as follows.

• Up to $5,000: Nil

• Up to $75,000: $1.50 for each $100, or part of $100

• $75,000 to $540,000: $1,050 plus $3.50 for each $100, or part of $100

• $540,000 to $1,000,000: $17,325 plus $4.50 for each $100, or part of $100

• More than $1,000,000: $38,025 plus $5.75 for each $100

There is no separate transfer duty rate for senior card or pensioner concession card holders under the Queensland Revenue Office guidelines.

Stamp Duty Concessions and Exemptions in Queensland

Queensland offers several concessions and exemptions that can reduce the amount of stamp duty payable, depending on how the property will be used.

1. Home Concession (Owner-Occupied Buyers)

Other than first home buyers, owner-occupiers also have a share in stamp duty concessions in Queensland. 

You can save up to $7,175 (on a $350,000 concession portion) as it reduces the duty by applying lower concession duty rates instead of standard ones.

Eligibility criteria for this concession:

• Be at least 18 years old and legally acquire the property as an individual.

• Move into the property as your principal place of residence within one year of settlement.

• Meet certain government requirements after claiming the concession.

2. First Home Concession

If the first home you buy is an established home, you can avail a concession on the duty, saving up to $24,525.

However, it only works if you’re buying a home valued under $8,000,000. On exceeding this threshold, you can still apply for the home concession mentioned above.

If your home is valued at $700,000 or less, you’ll receive a full concession and pay no duty.

3. First Home (new home) Concession

According to the latest updates provided by the Queensland government, if you’re signing the contract after 1 May 2025, no duty is applicable, providing a 100% concession regardless of the home’s value.

4. First Home Vacant Land Concession

If you’re purchasing vacant land to build your first home for your principal residence, you’ll potentially get a full concession with $0 stamp duty.

5. Cancelled Agreements Exemptions

You can get an exemption if any previously assessed agreement for stamp duty has been cancelled, for which you’ve already paid the amount.

Reasons for cancelling the agreement may include breach by any party, non-fulfilment of any condition, out of frustration, or the parties' consent to end the agreement without a resale agreement.

6. Home or Property Owner Exemptions

• Spouse Transfers: You don’t need to pay any duty while sharing the ownership of the property with your spouse. Different exemptions are provided if the transfer of property is between a divorcing couple.

• Joint Tenants: You can incur an exemption if ownership shifts between joint tenants and tenants in common, involving a change in tenure or any mutual decision to transfer between you and them.

• Death of the Owner: In case of the demise of your loved one, no stamp duty is payable while inheriting the property. You might be able to claim this exemption if the deceased person’s estate is distributed to the beneficiaries of their will or transferred to a joint tenant.

• Manufactured (Mobile) Home: Some transfers of mobile homes may be exempt, depending on certain conditions.

7. Surrender Lease Exemption

Some lease-related transactions may also qualify for exemption.

• You don’t pay duty on the surrender of a lease if no money is paid to the tenant for giving up the lease; or

• If the money is paid but the landlord is paying the tenant to end the lease.

8. Land Tax and Other Exemptions

Different exemptions are available under the Land Act 1994 by the Queensland government for the land tax on your home. There are several other exemptions available on the official website of the QRO that you can check out.

Note: According to QRO, You do not have to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident to claim the concessions and exemptions.

You can find more details about all the concessions and exemptions, how to claim it, and other details on the official site of the Queensland Revenue Office.

Applying for Concessions and Exemptions

To lighten the costs, you should always check for concessions or exemptions that you may qualify for and be prepared with all the requirements beforehand to make the most of them. Here are the steps you should follow before the settlement.

• Check your eligibility: Before signing the contract, find out exactly what concessions or exemptions you might be eligible for. You can get more information on the official website of QRO or seek help from a mortgage professional.

• Gather all the required documents: Have all the required documents, including your ID, contract of sale, proof of how you'll use the property, etc. for smoother paperwork.

• Complete required forms: Most of the concessions require you to complete specific Queensland Revenue Office (QRO) forms (such as Form D2.1 for home/first-home concessions) to successfully apply for them.

• Submit your application: Request your solicitor or conveyancer to submit your application and make sure the documents are lodged for stamping within 30 days of signing the contract.

• Await assessment: Wait for the notification by the QRO after assessment of your documents and a notice confirming the amount of duty payable (if any) and the due date.

Need a Mortgage for Your Dream Home?

Unless you’re savvy in the Australian mortgage market, having a broker will help you go through the mortgaging complexities smoothly. They can help you in the home loan process from start to finish.

Here at Koalify, we help Aussies dreaming of a home to search, curate, and get a mortgage that suits your needs and goals.

The best part is that our service is free of cost to you—zero hidden fees, consultation charges, or commissions whatsoever!

And driven by ASIC’s Best Interests Duty, we guarantee to find you the most suitable home loan that fits your unique needs and goals. 

With our extensive panel of 30+ top lenders and 2,000+ mortgage solutions in Australia, you can unlock opportunities that you might miss otherwise. 

Interested? Contact us to get your dedicated mortgage advisor today!

Compare rates from multiple lenders

Let our home loan experts secure the most suitable deal for you

I want to refinanceI want to buy a home