| “Stamp duty has historically been one of the biggest upfront costs facing Queensland first home buyers. For those buying new homes, that barrier has now been removed entirely.” |
Stamp duty — formally known as transfer duty in Queensland — is a state government tax on property transactions. For years, it has been one of the largest upfront costs facing first home buyers, adding tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of purchasing a home. In 2025, the Queensland government made a landmark change that every first home buyer needs to understand.
The big change: stamp duty abolished on new builds
From 1 May 2025, eligible first home buyers in Queensland pay zero stamp duty on new homes and vacant land. This is not a concession or a reduction — it is a complete exemption. If you are buying a new home or purchasing land to build on, you pay no stamp duty at all.
To understand what this means in dollar terms, here is what you would have paid before this change:
| Property Value | Previous Stamp Duty (First Home Buyer) | Stamp Duty Now (New Build) | Saving |
| $400,000 | $8,750 | $0 | $8,750 |
| $500,000 | $10,600 | $0 | $10,600 |
| $600,000 | $12,850 | $0 | $12,850 |
| $700,000 | $16,600 | $0 | $16,600 |
| $750,000 | $18,850 | $0 | $18,850 |
What about existing homes?
The stamp duty exemption on 1 May 2025 applies specifically to new homes and vacant land. If you are purchasing an existing property — a house or unit that has previously been occupied — the previous first home concession arrangement applies. This means:
- No stamp duty on existing homes valued up to $500,000
- A partial concession on homes valued between $500,000 and $550,000
- Full stamp duty payable on existing homes over $550,000
Given that entry-level properties in greater Brisbane now frequently exceed $550,000, many first home buyers purchasing existing homes will pay full stamp duty. This makes the new build pathway significantly more attractive from a duty perspective.
How does Queensland compare to other states?
| State | Stamp Duty First Home Buyer (new build $600k) | Stamp Duty First Home Buyer (existing $600k) |
| Queensland | $0 (exempt from May 2025) | Up to $12,850 (concession thresholds apply) |
| New South Wales | $0 (First Home Buyer exemption to $800k) | $0 (exemption to $800k) |
| Victoria | $0 (exemption to $600k) | Concession applies |
| Western Australia | Reduced (concession applies) | Reduced (concession applies) |
| South Australia | No first home buyer exemption | No first home buyer exemption |
Do you need to apply for the stamp duty exemption?
Yes — the exemption is not automatic. You need to apply through your conveyancer or solicitor at settlement. You will need to provide evidence that you are a first home buyer, that the property is a new home or vacant land, and that you intend to live in the property as your principal place of residence within one year of settlement.
Your conveyancer will manage this process for you as part of the settlement. Make sure you discuss your eligibility with them early in the purchase process.
Stamp duty and the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant
If you are buying a new home or building, you are potentially eligible for both the stamp duty exemption and the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant simultaneously. Combined with avoiding Lenders Mortgage Insurance through the First Home Guarantee, a first home buyer purchasing a $600,000 new build in Queensland in 2026 could save:
- $12,850 in stamp duty (exemption)
- $30,000 First Home Owner Grant
- $15,000–$20,000 in Lenders Mortgage Insurance (avoided via First Home Guarantee)
| TOTAL POTENTIAL SAVING Up to $62,850 in combined savings and grants on a $600,000 new build. That’s not a small amount — it’s potentially your entire deposit contribution covered. |
Primary: stamp duty first home buyers Queensland 2026 | Secondary: stamp duty exemption QLD new home, transfer duty Queensland first home, stamp duty concession QLD existing home