Queensland Stamp Duty 2026-27: First-Home New-Home Full Abolition and Transfer Duty Rates

8 分钟阅读

Queensland imposes transfer duty on most purchases of residential property, land, and certain business assets. It is one of eight Australian state and territory transfer duty regimes, each with its own rates and concessions — see also this site’s articles on Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory. For broader tax context, see this site’s article on Australia Income Tax 2026-27. For the 2026–27 financial year, the general duty rates apply on a sliding scale starting at 1.5% on the portion above $5,000 and rising to 5.75% on the amount above $1,000,000. The most significant feature of Queensland’s transfer duty framework is the full abolition of duty on first-home purchases of new homes and vacant land for owner-builders, effective since 1 May 2025, with no price cap. This means a first-home buyer purchasing a newly constructed dwelling, off-the-plan apartment, or a block of vacant land to build on in Queensland pays zero transfer duty regardless of the purchase price. For existing homes, first-home buyers receive a full concession up to $700,000, phasing out to $800,000. Foreign purchasers are subject to an additional foreign acquirer duty (AFAD) of 8% on top of standard duty, and eligible first-home buyers may also apply for the First Home Owner Grant of $30,000 for new homes valued under $750,000.

General Transfer Duty Rates

The general transfer duty rates apply to residential purchases that do not qualify for any concession or exemption. For the 2026–27 financial year, the Queensland Revenue Office applies the following scale to the dutiable value of the property:

  • $0 – $5,000: Nil. No duty is payable on the first $5,000 of the dutiable value.
  • $5,001 – $75,000: $1.50 for every $100, or part of $100, over $5,000. Effectively a 1.5% rate on this portion.
  • $75,001 – $540,000: $1,050 plus $3.50 for every $100, or part of $100, over $75,000. This is equivalent to 3.5% above this threshold.
  • $540,001 – $1,000,000: $17,325 plus $4.50 for every $100, or part of $100, over $540,000. An effective rate of 4.5% on this tranche.
  • $1,000,001 and above: $38,025 plus $5.75 for every $100, or part of $100, over $1,000,000. This gives a marginal rate of 5.75% on the top portion.

These rates are applied on a progressive basis: the duty payable is the sum of the amounts calculated for each bracket. The dutiable value is generally the higher of the purchase price or the unencumbered market value of the property.

For example, a home purchased at a dutiable value of $850,000 would attract duty of approximately $24,075. The duty on the first $540,000 is $17,325, plus 4.5% on the next $310,000 (being $13,950), bringing the total to $31,275 — noting that the bracket boundaries mean the calculation must be performed carefully against each tier.

First-Home New-Home Duty Abolition

Since 1 May 2025, Queensland has offered the most generous first-home transfer duty concession of any Australian jurisdiction: a full duty exemption on purchases of new homes and vacant land, with no price cap. This concession applies to first-home buyers who acquire:

  • A newly constructed home that has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence.
  • A substantially renovated home that, as renovated, has not been previously occupied or sold.
  • An off-the-plan purchase of a new dwelling.
  • Vacant land on which the buyer intends to build their first home.

The absence of a price ceiling is the defining feature. A first-home buyer purchasing a new apartment in central Brisbane at $1,200,000 pays zero transfer duty, saving approximately $58,325 compared with the general rate schedule. The concession is not means-tested by income, though the buyer must satisfy the standard first-home eligibility criteria: they must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or applying with a spouse who is), must move into the property as their principal place of residence within one year, and must not have previously owned a residential property in Australia or elsewhere.

The concession applies to the entire dutiable value, not merely the first portion, and the buyer must retain ownership and occupy the home for at least one year. If these conditions are not met, the duty may be reassessed.

Existing-Home First-Home Concession

First-home buyers purchasing an existing (previously occupied) home in Queensland are eligible for a concessional rate rather than a full exemption. The concession amounts to a full waiver of duty for existing homes valued up to $700,000, with a partial concession that phases out at a dutiable value of $800,000.

For purchases between $700,001 and $800,000, a sliding scale applies that reduces the concession progressively. A first-home buyer purchasing an existing dwelling at $750,000 would receive a partial concession, paying only a portion of the standard duty. Above $800,000, the standard general rates apply in full.

This represents a meaningful distinction from the new-home policy: a first-home buyer who can purchase a new dwelling pays no duty at any price, while one purchasing an established home begins paying duty above $700,000 and receives no concession above $800,000. The policy intent is to direct first-home buyer demand toward new housing supply.

Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty (AFAD)

Foreign purchasers acquiring residential property in Queensland are liable for the Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty (AFAD), set at 8% of the dutiable value. AFAD is applied in addition to the standard transfer duty and is not reduced by any first-home or other concession that might otherwise apply to general duty.

The definition of “foreign acquirer” for AFAD purposes broadly includes individuals who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents, foreign corporations, and trustees of foreign trusts. Temporary residents and certain visa holders may also be captured, depending on the specific transaction structure and the foreign ownership provisions of the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth) and the Duties Act 2001 (Qld).

The AFAD liability is calculated on the full dutiable value of the residential property and must be paid at settlement alongside the general transfer duty. It is not eligible for the home concession, first-home concession, or any other duty reduction.

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

Queensland’s First Home Owner Grant provides a cash payment of $30,000 to eligible first-home buyers who purchase or build a new home. To qualify, the home must be:

  • A newly constructed dwelling, off-the-plan purchase, or a contract to build.
  • Valued at less than $750,000 (including the value of the land and any building contract).
  • Intended to be the applicant’s principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least six months, commencing within one year of settlement or construction completion.

The FHOG operates independently of the transfer duty concession. A first-home buyer purchasing a new home with a dutiable value of $700,000 would pay zero transfer duty under the new-home concession and could simultaneously receive the $30,000 FHOG, provided all eligibility criteria are met. For a new home valued at $800,000, the buyer would still pay zero duty but would not qualify for the FHOG due to the $750,000 threshold.

Eligibility is limited to Australian citizens and permanent residents. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and must not have previously received a first-home owner grant or owned residential property in Australia.

Duty on Vacant Land

Vacant land purchases in Queensland are subject to the same general duty rate schedule as residential property. For first-home buyers, vacant land purchased with the intention of building a principal place of residence qualifies for the full duty exemption with no price cap, matching the new-home concession policy. The buyer must commence construction within a prescribed period and must occupy the completed dwelling as their principal place of residence for the required minimum period.

For non-first-home buyers, the general rates apply without concession. Land used for primary production may qualify for a different concessional treatment under separate provisions of the Duties Act 2001 (Qld).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay stamp duty on a new apartment in Queensland as a first-home buyer?

No. Since 1 May 2025, first-home buyers purchasing a new or off-the-plan home in Queensland pay zero transfer duty, with no price cap. You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, not have previously owned a home, and must move in as your principal place of residence within one year. The FHOG of $30,000 may also be available if the value is under $750,000.

What happens to the first-home concession if I buy an existing home?

Existing-home first-home buyers receive a full duty concession up to $700,000 of dutiable value, with a partial concession that phases out completely by $800,000. Above $800,000 the standard general rates apply. The full no-cap exemption is reserved for new homes and vacant land purchases.

How much is the foreign buyer surcharge in Queensland?

Queensland’s Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty (AFAD) is 8% of the dutiable value, payable in addition to standard transfer duty. This surcharge is not reduced by first-home or any other concessions. Some purchasers, including Australian citizens, permanent residents, and certain New Zealand citizens holding a special category visa, are exempt from AFAD.

Can I receive both the FHOG and the first-home duty concession?

Yes. The FHOG of $30,000 and the first-home transfer duty concession are separate programs administered by the Queensland Revenue Office. A first-home buyer purchasing a new home under $750,000 may qualify for both: zero transfer duty plus the $30,000 grant. For new homes priced between $750,000 and any amount, the buyer still qualifies for zero transfer duty but not the FHOG.

How does Queensland’s first-home policy compare with other states?

Queensland’s full duty abolition on new homes with no price cap is unique among Australian jurisdictions as at July 2026. Other states offer capped or partial concessions — for comparison, see this site’s articles on Western Australia stamp duty, South Australia stamp duty, Tasmania stamp duty, and the Australian Capital Territory stamp duty.

Data Sources and Currency

This article draws on the official rates, thresholds, and eligibility rules published by the Queensland Revenue Office and the governing legislation. Key sources include:

Data current as at July 2026. Tax rates and concession thresholds may be updated by the Queensland Government; verify with the Queensland Revenue Office or a qualified conveyancer.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Individual duty liability depends on the specific circumstances of each transaction, including the purchaser’s residency status, prior property ownership, and the nature of the property. Confirm all figures and eligibility with the Queensland Revenue Office or a licensed conveyancer or solicitor.