Stamp Duty QLD: Transfer Duty Rates, Concessions & Exemptions (2026)
A complete guide to stamp duty in Queensland for 2026, covering current transfer duty rates, first home buyer concessions, vacant land exemptions, and what investment property owners actually pay.
Jonathan Zuvela
Stamp duty in QLD — officially known as transfer duty — is a state tax levied on anyone buying residential property or land in Queensland. On a $600,000 property, stamp duty costs come to roughly $12,850, and that's before you even pick up the keys.
Whether you're a first home buyer cracking into the market, looking at an established home, or building up your property portfolio, knowing how much stamp duty you'll need to pay in Queensland can save you a pretty penny. Here's the lowdown on stamp duty concessions, stamp duty rates, and stamp duty exemption thresholds for 2026. See our complete guide to stamp duty exemptions and concessions across Australia.
What Is Stamp Duty in Queensland?
Stamp duty in Queensland is the tax the Government charges on property transactions and property transfers. It covers all dutiable property — houses, units, vacant land, residential land, and commercial property.
The amount is based on the dutiable value, which is the higher of the purchase price or market value.
You've got 30 days from settlement to sort out your stamp duty through the Queensland Revenue Office (QRO).
Current QLD Transfer Duty Rates (2026)
Queensland uses a sliding scale for its general transfer duty rates. Here are the standard transfer duty rates for 2026:
| Dutiable Value | Stamp Duty Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $5,000 | Nil |
| $5,001 – $75,000 | $1.50 per $100 over $5,000 |
| $75,001 – $540,000 | $1,050 + $3.50 per $100 over $75,000 |
| $540,001 – $1,000,000 | $17,325 + $4.50 per $100 over $540,000 |
| Over $1,000,000 | $38,025 + $5.75 per $100 over $1,000,000 |
For homes valued at $750,000, stamp duty payable is approximately $19,600. The property value tells you which bracket applies — the higher the property price, the more stamp duty costs you'll face.
How Stamp Duty Is Calculated on Dutiable Property
Each rate applies only to the portion above its threshold — brackets stack on top of each other. For owner occupiers buying their principal place of residence, a separate transfer duty rate (the home concession rate) kicks in instead of the general rate.
Home Concession for Owner Occupiers
If you're buying a home to live in as your principal place of residence, the home concession brings a decent saving — roughly $5,000 on a $600,000 property. You need to move in within 12 months of settlement. This duty concession also applies to a second or subsequent home, as long as it's where you'll be living.
Who Qualifies for the Home Concession?
You need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident buying a place to live in. If you're chasing a rental property for your portfolio, forget it — this stamp duty concession is only for owner occupiers.
Stamp Duty Exemption and Concessions for First Home Buyers
Queensland does plenty to help out new home buyers with generous stamp duty concessions. These stamp duty concessions put it right up there among the most affordable states for first home buyers getting into the market.
First Home Concession on an Established Home
For an established home, the first home concession provides a full stamp duty exemption on homes valued under $700,000.
A sliding scale transfer duty concession applies between $700,000 and $800,000 based on the property price. Above $800,000, no first home concession is available — you pay full stamp duty costs.
New Homes: Full Exemption With No Value Cap (From May 2025)
As of 1 May 2025, first home buyers purchasing a brand-new or substantially renovated home get a full exemption regardless of the property value — no value cap at all. Previously, the stamp duty concession capped at $700,000 for all home types. That's a massive change for first home buyers eyeing higher-end new builds.
First Home Vacant Land Concession
First home buyers can also purchase vacant land and build with a full exemption. The home vacant land concession has no value cap from May 2025 — before that, the first home vacant land threshold was $350,000.
On top of that, first home buyers can grab the first home owner grant (the home owner grant) of $30,000 for new builds under $750,000, extended to 30 June 2026. Your home loan lender can help factor the stamp duty costs and grant into your borrowing.
Eligibility Requirements for First Home Buyers
You won't qualify if you've previously occupied a property you owned in Australia. Both applicants in a couple need to meet these eligibility requirements — the property can't have been previously occupied as your residence.
How Much Do Property Owners Pay Stamp Duty on Investment Property in QLD?
Investors cop the full general transfer duty rates with no stamp duty concessions. There's no duty concession for property purchased as a rental.
Here's how much stamp duty costs look at common property price points in QLD:
| Property Price | Stamp Duty Payable |
|---|---|
| $400,000 | $12,425 |
| $500,000 | $15,925 |
| $600,000 | $19,425 |
| $750,000 | $26,175 |
| $1,000,000 | $38,025 |
These stamp duty costs aren't something you can write off on your tax, but they do form part of your cost base for capital gains tax when you sell.
Try our stamp duty calculator for a more accurate estimate of your stamp duty costs.
How to Avoid Paying Stamp Duty in QLD
You can't completely dodge stamp duty in Queensland, but there are a few ways to cut costs:
- Get in under the concession thresholds — first home buyers snagging a property under $700,000 score a full exemption
- Purchase vacant land and build — the first home vacant land concession means zero duty on the land
- Check additional concession eligibility — pensioner concession card holders and seniors card holders might qualify for extra help
- Buy through a trust — property transferred between joint tenants or related entities may qualify for a transfer duty exemption in limited cases
For investors, there's no concession. Factor stamp duty into your purchase budget as additional costs from the start.
Foreign Persons and Additional Stamp Duty
Foreign persons buying property in Queensland face additional foreign acquirer duty (AFAD) of 8% on top of the standard rates — bumped up from 7% in July 2024. This hits anyone who isn't an Australian citizen or permanent resident, though New Zealand Subclass 444 visa holders are exempt.
On a $600,000 property, a foreign person shells out roughly $67,400 in total stamp duty.
When Do You Pay Stamp Duty Through the Queensland Revenue Office?
The Queensland Revenue Office handles all stamp duty assessments and processing. Your conveyancer puts the return through QRO's online system once contracts are signed. You need to pay transfer duty within 30 days of the contract going unconditional.
Stamp Duty Calculator: Estimate Your QLD Stamp Duty Costs
Plug your numbers into our free stamp duty calculator to get a clear picture of how much you need to pay in Queensland. It's got all the 2026 stamp duty rates and concessions covered, with costs that vary depending on your buyer type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Pays Stamp Duty in QLD?
The buyer covers stamp duty in Queensland. Whether you're purchasing an established home, vacant land, or a rental property — the stamp duty is on you. You lodge it with the Queensland Revenue Office, not the seller.
When Do You Need to Pay Stamp Duty?
You've got 30 days from the transfer date (usually settlement) to get your payment in. Late payments attract interest charges, so budget for this once contracts are signed.
Can Pensioners Get a Stamp Duty Concession?
If you've got a pensioner concession card, you can access the home concession rate when buying your principal place of residence. There's no separate pensioner-specific full concession or full exemption — the standard home concession rate is what you get.
Is Stamp Duty Deductible for Property Owners?
Stamp duty on a rental property isn't tax-deductible as an ongoing expense. But it gets added to your cost base, which comes in handy when you sell and need to calculate capital gains tax. Check your position with our state-by-state guide.
Track Your Property Costs with PropBoss
Stamp duty is just the start of all the costs that come with buying property. PropBoss is here to make life easier for Australian property owners — keeping track of the lot from stamp duty at purchase through to depreciation, home loan interest, and rental income so you always know where you stand.
Try our free stamp duty calculator to figure out your QLD stamp duty, or take a look at our full range of property tools to plan your next purchase.
Track Your Real Portfolio with PropBoss
Stop guessing with calculators and spreadsheets. PropBoss automatically tracks your rental income, expenses, bank feeds, depreciation, and tax position across your entire portfolio.
Jonathan Zuvela
Founder, PropBoss
Jonathan is an Australian property investor and the founder of PropBoss - an AI-powered platform that helps investors automate their property admin, track rental income and expenses, and make data-driven investment decisions.
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