QLD Stamp Duty 2026-27: First Home Buyer Zero Duty, No Price Cap on New Homes

Queensland offers the most generous first-home buyer stamp duty concession in Australia since May 2025: if you buy a brand-new home or vacant land to build on, you pay zero transfer duty with no price cap. This is a transformative policy for first-home buyers — whether you are buying a $500,000 new apartment in Brisbane or a $900,000 new house-and-land package on the Gold Coast, the transfer duty is zero. Combined with the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant (the highest in the country for new homes under $750,000), Queensland’s first-home incentives can deliver total savings exceeding $70,000 on a single purchase.

QLD transfer duty rates for all buyers (standard residential):

• Up to $5,000: nil (no duty)
• $5,001–$75,000: 1.5% of the dutiable value
• $75,001–$540,000: $1,050 plus 3.5% of the amount over $75,000
• $540,001–$1,000,000: $17,325 plus 4.5% of the amount over $540,000
• Over $1,000,000: $38,025 plus 5.75% of the amount over $1,000,000

For a $600,000 property (standard rate, no concession): duty is $17,325 plus 4.5% of ($600,000 minus $540,000) = $17,325 plus $2,700 = $20,025. For an $850,000 property: $17,325 plus 4.5% of $310,000 = $31,275.

First-home buyer new home concession: zero duty, no price cap

Since 1 May 2025, first-home buyers purchasing a brand-new home (never previously occupied) or vacant land to build a first home on pay zero transfer duty in Queensland — with no upper price limit. This applies to new apartments, new houses, house-and-land packages, and vacant land where you intend to build. The no-cap feature is unique among Australian states: a first-home buyer purchasing a $1,200,000 new home saves $49,525 in duty compared to the standard rate, while the same purchase in NSW or Victoria would attract significant duty even with concessions.

The eligibility requirements: you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or applying with someone who is), you must not have previously owned residential property in Australia or overseas, and you must move into the home within one year of settlement (or completion for new builds) and live there for at least one year. The concession applies at the time of settlement — you do not need to pay duty upfront and claim a refund.

Established home first-home concession: full exemption up to $700,000

First-home buyers purchasing an existing (established) home in Queensland can also benefit from a concession, albeit with price caps. Established homes priced at $700,000 or below receive a full transfer duty exemption. Between $700,001 and $800,000, the concession phases out on a sliding scale — you receive a partial reduction but not a full exemption. Above $800,000, no first-home concession is available for established homes.

For a first-home buyer purchasing a $680,000 existing home: zero duty. For the same buyer purchasing at $750,000: partial duty payable under the sliding scale. The distinction between new and established is critical — if you are determined to avoid stamp duty entirely, a new home is the path with no price cap, while an established home is the path capped at $700,000.

First Home Owner Grant: $30,000 for new homes

Queensland’s FHOG is $30,000 for new homes purchased at less than $750,000. It applies to newly constructed homes, off-the-plan purchases, and substantial renovations. The grant can be received alongside the zero-duty new-home concession — they are not mutually exclusive. For a buyer purchasing a $680,000 new home: zero duty plus a $30,000 grant equals $50,025 in total government support (the avoided duty plus the grant). This combination makes Queensland arguably the best state in Australia for a first-home buyer purchasing a new property.

Foreign acquirer additional duty (AFAD): 8%

Foreign purchasers acquiring residential land in Queensland pay additional foreign acquirer duty of 8% on the dutiable value, on top of the standard transfer duty. For a $700,000 property, the foreign surcharge alone is $56,000. The AFAD applies to foreign individuals, foreign corporations and trustees of foreign trusts, and is payable at settlement alongside the standard duty. There is no exemption or reduction for first-home buyers who are foreign persons — the first-home concessions are only available to Australian citizens and permanent residents.

How to budget for QLD stamp duty as a first-home buyer

If you are a first-home buyer purchasing a new home: your transfer duty is zero, so your upfront costs are primarily the deposit, legal/conveyancing fees (roughly $1,200–$2,000), building and pest inspection, and mortgage costs. The $30,000 FHOG is typically paid directly to you or your lender at settlement and can be used toward your deposit — many lenders accept the FHOG as part of your genuine savings for LVR purposes.

If you are buying an established home over $700,000: calculate the duty at the standard rate or the sliding concession rate, add it to your savings target, and confirm the total funds required with your broker. Conveyancers in Queensland can provide a duty estimate as part of their pre-purchase service.

Information sources

All QLD transfer duty rates, first-home buyer concessions, FHOG amounts and AFAD percentages are sourced from the Queensland Revenue Office as at July 2026. The zero-duty no-price-cap concession for new homes was introduced on 1 May 2025. Concession eligibility criteria and administrative processes are per the Duties Act 2001 (Qld) and QRO guidance. Always verify your eligibility through the QRO website or a licensed QLD conveyancer before committing to a purchase.

Frequently asked questions

Does the zero-duty new home concession have any price cap at all?

No. Since 1 May 2025, there is no upper price limit for the first-home new home transfer duty concession. Whether the purchase is $500,000 or $1,500,000, a qualifying first-home buyer pays zero transfer duty on a new home in Queensland.

Can I get the $30,000 FHOG plus zero duty?

Yes. The FHOG and the first-home new home duty concession are separate programs and can both be claimed on the same purchase. The FHOG applies to new homes under $750,000, while the duty concession has no price cap.

What defines a “new home” for the zero-duty concession?

A new home is a property that has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence. This includes newly built homes, off-the-plan apartments, house-and-land packages, and vacant land where you intend to build your first home. Substantially renovated homes may also qualify.

What if I’m buying an established home over $800,000?

No first-home buyer transfer duty concession is available for established homes over $800,000. You pay the standard transfer duty rate. Consider whether purchasing a new home could unlock the zero-duty concession and FHOG.

Next step: see how QLD stamp duty fits your purchase

Queensland’s first-home buyer incentives are among the most generous in Australia, but they interact with your deposit, borrowing power and lender LVR requirements. Speak with an Arrivau licensed mortgage consultant to model your full purchase costs — we respond within one business day.

General information disclaimer

This article is general information only and is not personal financial, tax, legal or credit advice. Queensland transfer duty rates, concessions and thresholds can change. Arrivau Pty Ltd (ABN 81 643 901 599) provides credit assistance as an ASIC Credit Representative, CRN 530978. Obtain independent legal and duty advice from a licensed QLD conveyancer or solicitor before purchasing property.