Stamp Duty Western Australia
Stamp Duty Western Australia
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What is Stamp Duty?
So, let’s say that you finally saved up for a home deposit. It probably involved years of saving and scrimping, so it’s no small feat! But you’ll likely have a few extra costs to contend with before you can move into your dream house: loan application fees, conveyancing fees, and, of course, stamp duty.
In Western Australia, stamp duty is known as transfer duty and is calculated by the Western Australian government. It’s sometimes known as transfer duty mainly because it’s a tax on certain transfers—namely real estate like homes or units and certain business assets.
Like most other states and territories, transfer duty in WA is based on either the price you pay for the property or its market value—whichever one is bigger. In most cases, this will set you back a few thousand dollars, so you’ll definitely want to get an estimate on the costs and plan ahead accordingly.
How much is Stamp Duty in WA?
Stamp duty is charged by state and territory governments for certain transactions like transfer of property.
For a breakdown of the standard transfer duty rates in WA, we can turn to the table below:1WA.gov.au – Rates of Duty
Dutiable value | Stamp duty rate |
$0-$120,000 | $1.90 for each portion of $100 |
$120,001-$150,000 | $2,280 plus $2.85 for each portion of $100 over $120,000 |
$150,001-$360,000 | $3,135 plus $3.80 for each portion of $100 over $150,000 |
$360,001-$725,000 | $11,115 plus $4.75 for each portion of $100 over $360,000 |
$725,001+ | $28,453 + $5.15 per $100 or part thereof above $725,000 |
However, you might be eligible to pay a lower, concessional rate in certain cases. For instance, if you’re buying a house that does not exceed $200,000 and has not been given to you as a gift, then you might be able to apply for these rates:2As above
Dutiable value | Stamp duty rate |
$0-$120,000 | $1.50 for each portion of $100 |
$120,001-$200,000 | $1,800 plus $4.04 for each portion of $100 over $120,000 |
To apply, you’ll also need to complete an application of assessment for concessional rates and submit it online.
When Do I Need to Pay Stamp Duty in WA?
As of March 2024, Western Australia has the fastest growing population in Australia.3ABS.gov.au – States and Territories population With a population of almost 3 million4As above living almost exclusively in and around Perth, you can imagine the number of properties that are changing hands every year.
So when it comes to stamp duty, you’ll typically have one month to pay this tax after your duties assessment notice is issued. Paying on time is also crucial. Late payment can mean penalties: a bunch of extra expenses on top of what you already have to pay on transfer duty.
Do First Home Buyers have to pay stamp duty in WA?
Yes, but wait, there’s good news! If you’re a first home buyer in Western Australia, you might be eligible for a special ‘first home owner rate’, saving you a hefty amount on transfer duty.
You’ll be eligible for these rates if you already qualify for the first home owner grant (FHOG) scheme. To meet the requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years old (or have an age-based exemption)
- You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident when you lodge the application.
- You must own the home in your own capacity, not as a trustee.
For home and land that doesn’t exceed $600,000, the first homeowner rates are as follows:5WA.gov,au – First home owner rate
Dutiable value | Stamp duty rate |
≤$450,000 | No Stamp Duty |
$450,001-$600,000 | $15.01 for each portion of $100 over $450,000 |
For plots of vacant land of no more than $400,000, the first homeowner rates are a little different:6As above
Dutiable value | Stamp duty rate |
≤$300,000 | No Stamp Duty |
$300,001-$400,000 | $13.01 for each portion of $100 over $450,000 |
In either case, as a first home buyer in WA you will end up paying much less stamp duty—a real leg up for anyone buying their first home!
Are there any Stamp Duty exemptions or concessions in WA?
Western Australia also offers a few exemptions when it comes to transfer duty, but they’re a ‘special case only’ kind of deal. Here’s when they might apply:
- Spousal transactions: This only applies if you’re given residential property from your spouse or de facto partner. You’ll also need to submit an Application for Exemption for Transfer between Spouses.
- Family farm transactions: You might not have to pay transfer duty if you’re getting a farming property from a family member. For this one, you’ll need to fill out a form for a family farm exemption.
- Cancelled transactions: If you decide to cancel or terminate a real estate purchase, you might also be exempt from paying transfer duty. As part of this, you’ll need to submit a ‘FDA1’ form to cancel or terminate a dutiable transaction.
You might also be able to apply for a concession or a rebate on transfer duty if you buy a new apartment or unit ‘off-the-plan’. These purchases are called ‘off-the-plan’ because (in most cases) before it was built or while it was still in construction.
Do foreign buyers have to pay stamp duty in WA?
As of 1 July 2019, rate of additional duty (on top of stamp duty) in WA is 7%. If you are not an Australian Citizen this applies to you as foreign purchase additional duty. This also applies to foreign corporations and trusts.
Can I get a Home Loan that covers stamp duty?
It depends on your lender. While you typically need to pay stamp duty as an upfront cost, some lenders may be willing to increase the amount of your home loan to cover it.
Where can I find and compare Home Loans?
If you’re looking to buy a home, but haven’t found the right loan yet, then there’s no time like the present to get searching! We’ve also partnered with Lendi to make things a little bit easier for you. You can weigh up your options online from a range of different providers. So give it a spin today!

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- 1.WA.gov.au – Rates of Duty
- 2.
- 3.ABS.gov.au – States and Territories population
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- 5.WA.gov,au – First home owner rate
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