First Home Buyers
Queensland stamp duty explained for home buyers
7 min read · By Daniel Lagden · 20 June 2026
The short version
- Transfer duty (stamp duty) is a state tax on property purchases, calculated on the price or value.
- Eligible Queensland first home buyers can pay reduced or no transfer duty up to set thresholds.
- Concessions for new homes and vacant land differ from established homes.
- Transfer duty and the First Home Owner Grant are separate — you may qualify for one, both or neither.
Transfer duty — most people still call it stamp duty — is a tax the Queensland Government charges when property changes hands. It's calculated on the purchase price or the property's value, whichever the rules point to, and it's usually one of the largest single costs at settlement after your deposit.
The good news for first home buyers: Queensland offers some of the more generous concessions in the country, and for many first-timers the duty bill comes down dramatically — sometimes to zero.
How transfer duty is calculated
Duty is tiered: the higher the price, the higher the rate applied to the portions above each threshold. On its own (without concessions), the bill on a typical Gold Coast home runs into the tens of thousands. That's why eligibility for a concession makes such a big difference to how much cash you need at settlement.
First home buyer concessions
Queensland provides concessions designed to reduce or remove transfer duty for eligible first home buyers, with the treatment depending on whether you're buying:
- An established home — eligible first home buyers may pay no transfer duty up to a set value, with a partial concession on a band above that.
- A brand-new home or a substantially renovated new home — eligible buyers may receive a full concession reducing duty to nil, subject to the rules.
- Vacant land to build your first home on — concessions also apply, with their own thresholds.
Thresholds, dates and eligibility rules are set by the Queensland Revenue Office and do change. Always confirm the current figures and conditions before signing a contract — the contract date can affect which rules apply.
You must usually live in it
First home concessions generally require you to move in within a set period and live there for a minimum time. Rent it out too soon and you can lose part or all of the concession. If you're buying as an investment from day one, different rules — and a different duty bill — apply.
Duty vs the First Home Owner Grant
People often blur these together. They're separate. The transfer duty concession reduces a tax you'd otherwise pay. The First Home Owner Grant is a cash payment for eligible buyers building or buying a brand-new home. You might qualify for one, both, or neither depending on the property and your circumstances.
Run the numbers
Frequently asked questions
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in Queensland?
Eligible first home buyers may pay reduced or no transfer duty up to certain thresholds, with the exact treatment depending on whether the home is established, new, or vacant land. Above the thresholds, normal rates apply to the excess. Confirm current figures with the Queensland Revenue Office.
Can stamp duty be added to my home loan?
Duty itself is paid at settlement, but if you have enough equity or deposit, the practical effect is that your overall cash-to-complete includes it. Some buyers structure their deposit and loan so they're not caught short on duty. We model the full cash-to-complete so there are no surprises.
When do I have to pay transfer duty?
Transfer duty is generally payable around settlement, within the timeframe set by Queensland's rules. Your conveyancer or solicitor will typically manage the payment as part of the settlement process.
