Stamp duty QLD, officially called transfer duty, is charged on the dutiable value of property you buy in Queensland. On a $600,000 established home with no concession, it’s $20,025. Live in it as your home and the home concession cuts that to $12,850. First home buyers can pay nil duty on an established home up to $700,000, and on an eligible new home or vacant land at any value.
So two buyers paying the same price can get very different bills. What changes the result is how you’ll use the property, whether it’s your first home, and when you signed the contract.
Below are the current Queensland Revenue Office (QRO) rates, how to calculate duty, the home and first home concessions, a worked example comparing them, and the 1 August 2026 change to eligibility.
Key takeaways
- General transfer duty rates range from nil up to $5,000 to $5.75 per $100 above $1 million.
- The home concession applies a lower rate to the first $350,000, saving up to $7,175.
- First home buyers pay nil duty on an established home up to $700,000, with a partial concession up to $800,000.
- Eligible first home buyers pay nil duty on a new home or residential vacant land, with no value cap, for contracts from 1 May 2025.
- From 1 August 2026, home concession buyers must be Australian citizens, permanent residents or specified foreign retirees.
What are the stamp duty rates in QLD?
These are the general transfer duty rates published by QRO:
| Dutiable value | Transfer duty |
|---|---|
| Up to $5,000 | Nil |
| $5,001 – $75,000 | $1.50 for each $100 (or part) over $5,000 |
| $75,001 – $540,000 | $1,050 + $3.50 for each $100 (or part) over $75,000 |
| $540,001 – $1,000,000 | $17,325 + $4.50 for each $100 (or part) over $540,000 |
| Over $1,000,000 | $38,025 + $5.75 for each $100 (or part) over $1,000,000 |
The base amount in each band already covers the lower slices of value, so the top rate only applies to the part above the band’s starting point.
How to calculate it
- Confirm the dutiable value. It’s usually the price, but not always, for example in transfers between family members.
- Find the band the full value falls in.
- Subtract the band’s starting point, divide by 100 (rounding up) and multiply by the band’s rate.
- Add the base amount for that band.
- Then check whether a concession applies.
What home concessions are available in QLD?
| Concession | Who and what | Duty outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Home concession | You buy a home to live in | $1 per $100 on the first $350,000, general rates on the rest. Saves up to $7,175 |
| First home (established home) | First home buyer, contract on or after 9 June 2024 | Nil up to $700,000 (with a small concession to $709,999), partial up to $800,000, none from $800,000 |
| First home (new home) | First home buyer, eligible contract on or after 1 May 2025 | Nil, no cap on value (residential land only) |
| First home vacant land | First home buyer building a home, eligible contract on or after 1 May 2025 | Nil, no cap on value (residential vacant land only) |
See the QRO home concession rates and the first home (new home) concession for the full conditions.
Watch out
To keep the home concession, you must move into the home and live there within 1 year of settlement, and that time can’t be extended. Plan any leasing or renovations around it.
Worked example: stamp duty on a $600,000 home
The facts
A hypothetical buyer signs a contract in 2026 for an established Brisbane home with a dutiable value of $600,000. We compare three situations.
Buying as an investor (no concession)
- $600,000 − $540,000 = $60,000, which is 600 lots of $100
- 600 × $4.50 = $2,700
- $17,325 + $2,700 = $20,025
Buying a home to live in (home concession)
- Home concession rate: $10,150 + ($4.50 × 600) = $10,150 + $2,700 = $12,850
- Saving: $20,025 − $12,850 = $7,175
Buying a first home (first home concession)
- Home concession amount: $12,850
- Less the first home concession of $17,350 for values up to $709,999.99
- Duty: nil (the concession can’t reduce duty below zero)
QRO’s own home concession example works the same way: an eligible $550,000 home pays $10,600 instead of $17,775 at general rates.
| Situation | Duty on $600,000 |
|---|---|
| Investor, no concession | $20,025 |
| Home concession | $12,850 |
| First home concession (established) | Nil |
| First home (new home) concession | Nil |
Tip
If your price sits between $700,000 and $800,000, the first home concession reduces in steps. Use QRO’s estimator with the exact contract price rather than estimating by hand.
What changed on 1 August 2026?
For transactions entered into on or after 1 August 2026, the QRO home concession page says you must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or specified foreign retiree to claim the home concession. This doesn’t apply to transactions entered into before that date. Check the conditions for the first home concessions as well before you budget on them.
What about investors and family transfers?
- Investment properties pay general rates. Home concessions are only for a home you’ll live in.
- Family transfers, including gifts and discounted sales, are dutiable unless a specific exemption applies, and duty may be assessed on market value.
- Ownership structure matters. Buying through a company or trust can change which concessions are available, so decide before you sign.
For investors, our property tax advice covers duty, land tax and capital gains together. You can also try our capital gains calculator and land tax calculator.
Common stamp duty QLD mistakes
- Using general rates without checking concessions first.
- Using the expected settlement date instead of the contract date.
- Claiming a home concession on a property you’ll rent out.
- Missing the 1-year move-in deadline.
- Applying Victorian or NSW rules to a Queensland purchase. Each state sets its own rates, which our guide on calculating stamp duty in Australia compares.
- Treating the First Home Owner Grant and the duty concession as the same thing. They’re separate programs with separate rules.
First home buyers can also read our guide to first home buyer stamp duty concessions, and use the mortgage repayment calculator to plan the loan side.
FAQ about stamp duty QLD
How much is stamp duty in QLD on a $600,000 home?
At general rates, transfer duty on a $600,000 property is $20,025. With the home concession it is $12,850, and an eligible first home buyer of an established home pays nil.
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in QLD?
For contracts from 9 June 2024, eligible first home buyers pay no duty on an established home up to $700,000, with a partial concession up to $800,000. For eligible contracts from 1 May 2025, new homes and residential vacant land attract nil duty with no value cap.
What is the QLD home concession?
It applies a rate of $1 per $100 to the first $350,000 of a home you will live in, with general rates on the rest. It saves up to $7,175. You must move in within 1 year of settlement.
Who can claim a QLD home concession from 1 August 2026?
For transactions entered into on or after 1 August 2026, you must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or specified foreign retiree to claim the home concession.
Is stamp duty in QLD the same as the First Home Owner Grant?
No. The duty concession reduces the transfer duty you pay. The First Home Owner Grant is a separate payment with its own rules.
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Talk to a registered tax agent
Buying in Queensland and want the numbers checked before you sign? Speak with a registered tax agent at Nanak Accountants & Associates on 1300 626 258, or book a consultation with our team. Our Brisbane office works with buyers and investors across Queensland.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or tax advice. Information checked against Queensland Revenue Office sources on 8 November 2026.
