What Is Transfer Duty in Queensland?

Transfer duty -- commonly called "stamp duty" -- is a state tax charged by the Queensland Government when you acquire property. It is calculated on the higher of the purchase price or the market value, and must be paid as part of the settlement process.

For a median-priced Brisbane home around $850,000, transfer duty can exceed $20,000. If you are buying at auction, there is no cooling-off period, so understanding your total costs upfront is critical. Use our stamp duty calculator to get an instant estimate for any purchase price.

QLD Transfer Duty Rates (2026)

Queensland uses a tiered marginal rate structure. Each portion of the property value is taxed at a progressively higher rate:

Property Value	Rate
$0 -- $5,000	0%
$5,001 -- $75,000	1.50%
$75,001 -- $540,000	3.50%
$540,001 -- $1,000,000	4.50%
Over $1,000,000	5.75%

These are the general rates that apply to most residential property purchases. Concession rates (lower rates) apply if you are buying your home to live in, as explained below.

Example Calculations

Purchase Price	General Duty	Home Concession Duty
$500,000	$15,925	$8,750
$700,000	$21,925	$15,950
$850,000	$28,675	$22,700
$1,000,000	$35,425	$29,450

These are approximate figures. For an exact calculation, use our stamp duty calculator.

Home Concession (Principal Place of Residence)

If you are buying a home that will be your principal place of residence, you may qualify for the home concession rate. This applies a reduced rate structure to your purchase:

Property Value	Home Concession Rate
$0 -- $350,000	1.00%
$350,001 -- $540,000	3.50%
$540,001 -- $1,000,000	4.50%
Over $1,000,000	5.75%

To qualify for the home concession, you must:

Be an individual (not a company or trust)
Move into the property within one year of settlement
Live in the property as your principal place of residence for at least one year

The home concession can save thousands of dollars compared to the general rate. For a $500,000 home, the saving is approximately $7,175.

First Home Concession

Queensland offers a separate first home concession for eligible first home buyers, which is more generous than the standard home concession:

Homes Under $550,000

If you are a first home buyer purchasing a home valued at $550,000 or less, you pay no transfer duty at all. This is a full exemption worth up to $15,925.

Homes Between $550,001 and $700,000

For properties valued between $550,001 and $700,000, a sliding-scale concession applies. The concession amount reduces progressively as the value approaches $700,000, at which point you pay the standard home concession rate.

Vacant Land Under $400,000

First home buyers purchasing vacant land to build their home on can also receive a concession:

Land valued at $400,000 or less: No transfer duty
Land valued between $400,001 and $500,000: Sliding-scale concession

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the first home concession, you must:

Be at least 18 years old
Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Not have previously owned property in Australia (including through a company or trust)
Move into the property within one year and live there for at least one continuous year
Both applicants must meet these criteria if purchasing jointly

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

In addition to the transfer duty concession, Queensland offers a $30,000 First Home Owner Grant for first home buyers purchasing or building a new home valued up to $750,000. This is one of the most generous grants in Australia.

Key details:

The grant applies to new homes only (not established/existing homes)
The total value of the property (house and land) must not exceed $750,000
You must move in within one year and live there for at least six continuous months
The grant is paid in addition to any transfer duty concession -- you can receive both

For a first home buyer purchasing a new home at $500,000, the combined benefit is significant: $30,000 grant plus $15,925 in duty savings, totalling $45,925 in government assistance.

Foreign Acquirer Additional Duty (AFAD)

Foreign buyers of residential property in Queensland pay an additional 8% duty on top of the standard transfer duty. This Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty (AFAD) applies to:

Foreign individuals (non-Australian citizens or permanent residents)
Foreign corporations
Trustees of foreign trusts

For a $1,000,000 property, a foreign buyer would pay approximately $35,425 in standard duty plus $80,000 in AFAD, totalling around $115,425.

AFAD was increased from 7% to 8% in 2024. If you are a foreign buyer, factor this substantial additional cost into your budget from the outset.

When Do You Pay Transfer Duty?

In Queensland, transfer duty must be paid within 30 days of settlement (or 30 days of becoming liable, whichever is earlier). This is shorter than some other states -- NSW allows three months -- so be prepared.

Your solicitor or conveyancer will typically handle the lodgement and payment through the Queensland Revenue Office as part of the settlement process.

How QLD Compares to Other States

Queensland's transfer duty rates sit between NSW and Victoria in terms of overall cost. Here is a comparison for a $750,000 owner-occupied home:

State	Approximate Duty	First Home Buyer Duty	FHOG (New Home)
QLD	~$18,325	$0 (under $550k) / concession	$30,000
NSW	~$28,340	$0 (under $800k)	$10,000
VIC	~$31,070	$0 (under $600k)	$10,000

Key differences:

Queensland has the most generous first home owner grant at $30,000, though the full duty exemption threshold ($550,000) is lower than NSW ($800,000)
NSW offers the highest first home buyer duty exemption threshold at $800,000, but a lower grant of $10,000. Read our NSW stamp duty guide for full details.
Victoria provides a duty exemption up to $600,000 for first home buyers with a $10,000 grant. See our VIC stamp duty guide for a complete breakdown.

For investors or non-first-home buyers, Queensland generally offers lower duty than both NSW and Victoria, making it comparatively affordable for property purchases.

Off-the-Plan Concessions

Queensland does not offer a specific off-the-plan concession like some other states. However, if you are buying an off-the-plan apartment as your first home, you can still benefit from the first home concession and the First Home Owner Grant if the property meets the eligibility criteria.

How to Budget for Transfer Duty

When preparing for an auction, transfer duty should be one of the first costs you calculate -- not an afterthought. Here is a practical approach:

Determine your total funds (savings plus loan pre-approval amount)
Subtract estimated transfer duty using our stamp duty calculator
Subtract other costs (legal fees, building inspections, loan fees, moving costs)
The remainder is your true bidding limit

For a typical Brisbane purchase at $850,000 (owner-occupied), your upfront costs might look like this:

Cost	Amount
Deposit (10%)	$85,000
Transfer duty (home concession)	~$22,700
Legal/conveyancing fees	~$2,000
Building and pest inspection	~$600
Total	~$110,300

Smart Bid's auction setup tool helps you set clear budget zones -- comfort, stretch, and limit -- with these costs already factored in.

Key Takeaways

Queensland transfer duty ranges from 0% to 5.75% depending on the purchase price
The home concession offers reduced rates for owner-occupiers, starting at just 1.00%
First home buyers pay no duty on homes under $550,000 and vacant land under $400,000
The $30,000 First Home Owner Grant for new homes is the most generous in Australia
Foreign buyers pay an additional 8% duty on top of standard rates
Budget for duty early -- use a calculator to get exact figures before setting your auction limit

Planning to bid at auction in Queensland? Smart Bid helps you set your budget zones with transfer duty already factored in.

Stamp Duty in Queensland 2026: Rates, First Home Concessions & Calculator