Stamp Duty in NSW: What First Home Buyers Actually Pay

Stamp duty, transfer duty, officially, is the biggest buying cost after the deposit. For Sydney first home buyers, the NSW First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme changes it dramatically.

The thresholds

Buy an eligible home up to $800,000 and you pay no transfer duty at all. Between $800,000 and $1 million, a sliding concession applies, the closer to $1 million, the closer you get to full duty. Above $1 million, normal rates apply.

What that is worth

On a $750,000 Sydney purchase, the exemption saves roughly $28,000, money that stays in your deposit instead of going to Revenue NSW. Our stamp duty calculator shows the figure for your exact price.

The conditions

At least one buyer must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you must not have owned residential property in Australia before, and you need to move in within 12 months and live there for at least 12 continuous months. Miss the residence requirement and the duty can be clawed back.

New builds get more help

Buying or building new? The $10,000 First Home Owner Grant may also apply, for new homes up to $600,000, or house-and-land packages up to $750,000.

Figures are current at the time of writing and change over time, we confirm what applies to you before you rely on it.

General information only, not credit, legal or tax advice. Your situation is assessed properly before any recommendation. Government scheme details change; figures are current at the time of writing.