Stamp duty (officially conveyance duty) is a territory tax you pay when you buy property in the ACT. From 1 July 2026, eligible first home buyers pay no stamp duty at all, with no income test and no property price limit. Figures checked November 2026.
No duty on a home or vacant residential land for eligible buyers, whatever the price or your income. You and your partner must not have owned property in the past five years, so it can also help people returning to the market.
The ACT doesn't offer a first home owner grant. The duty exemption is the main help for first home buyers.
Stamp duty has also been removed for buyers of new unit-titled properties, such as new apartments. Eligibility rules apply.
Pensioners don't pay stamp duty when downsizing, through the Pensioner Duty Concession Scheme.
The buyer pays stamp duty. Your conveyancer or solicitor usually arranges payment as part of settlement, so you need the funds ready by then.
Duty is calculated on the price you pay, or the property's market value if that's higher. If you don't qualify for a concession, it can still run to tens of thousands of dollars.
The ACT is gradually replacing stamp duty with general rates, which is why its exemptions are broader than most states'.
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Duty rises with the price, so it changes your real budget.
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Confirm you meet the Home Buyer Concession Scheme rules before you sign.
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Use our stamp duty calculator for an estimate on a specific price.
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We'll factor duty and other costs into your pre-approval so there are no surprises.
Usually it's paid from your savings. Some lenders will lend enough to cover costs if you have a strong deposit or equity, often with lenders mortgage insurance. We'll tell you what's possible.
Eligible buyers pay no duty on vacant residential land under the Home Buyer Concession Scheme. Other buyers pay standard duty.
The Home Buyer Concession Scheme requires you to live in the home. Investors generally pay standard duty.
The ACT Revenue Office publishes current rates and eligibility rules. We check our figures against them, and our calculator uses current rates.
This information is general in nature and is based on ACT rules as at November 2026. It doesn't take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Duty rates, thresholds and eligibility are set by the ACT Revenue Office and can change; check your situation with the ACT Revenue Office or your conveyancer.
We'll include stamp duty, fees and any concessions in your pre-approval plan.
