Stamp Duty Costs in Perth: Your Complete 2026 Guide
Stamp duty in Perth can add thousands to your property purchase, or cost you nothing at all, depending on your situation and the property price. With WA's first home buyer exemption now covering properties up to $600,000 and significant concessions extending to $800,000 in metro Perth, understanding these rules can save you a substantial amount.
The rules changed significantly with the 2026-27 WA Budget, announced 7 May 2026. Whether you're buying in Baldivis- Ellenbrook or Subiaco, the actual cost depends on your buyer status, property type, and purchase price.
Launch Finance helps Perth property buyers understand their total purchase costs, including stamp duty calculations, across our wide panel of lenders, completely free of charge.
Here's what you need to know about stamp duty costs in Perth before you make an offer.
Key takeaways
- First home buyers pay $0 transfer duty on Perth properties up to $600,000.
- The off-the-plan concession is extended to 30 June 2028 and now covers units and townhouses.
- Foreign buyers pay standard transfer duty plus an additional 7% surcharge.
How much does stamp duty cost on a $700,000 property in Perth?
For a $700,000 property in Perth, stamp duty costs depend entirely on your buyer status. First home buyers purchasing in the metro Perth/Peel region pay nothing on properties up to $600,000 and a reduced concessional rate on properties between $600,001 and $800,000, meaning a $700,000 purchase now attracts a significantly reduced stamp duty figure compared to the previous rules. Non-first home buyers pay the standard rate of approximately $26,765 for the same property. These updated thresholds apply to transactions entered into on or after 7 May 2026, with the enabling legislation estimated to commence around 28 July 2026.
What are the WA stamp duty rates and exemptions for Perth buyers?
WA calls stamp duty "transfer duty" but most buyers know it by the traditional name. The current system includes three main categories: standard rates, first home buyer concessions, and off-the-plan exemptions. Understanding which applies to your purchase is the first step to knowing your real settlement costs.
The four main transfer duty categories in WA:
- › Standard transfer duty: applies to all non-first home buyers, calculated on a sliding scale from 1.9% to 5.15% depending on property value.
- › First home buyer exemption:$0 transfer duty on properties up to $600,000, with a concessional sliding-scale rate applying to properties between $600,001 and $800,000 in metro Perth. Above $800,000, no concession applies and standard rates are payable.
- › Off-the-plan concession: up to 100% exemption for pre-construction purchases up to $800,000 (capped at $50,000 saving), with partial concessions extending above that threshold. This concession has been extended to 30 June 2028 and now also covers survey-strata and community-title schemes such as units, villas and townhouses, not only multi-tiered apartments.
- › Foreign buyer surcharge: additional 7% transfer duty for non-permanent residents purchasing residential property in WA.
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How do you calculate your stamp duty costs step by step?
Step 1: Talk to us
Get in touch and we'll confirm your buyer status and calculate your exact stamp duty liability based on your property type and purchase price.
Step 2: Determine your buyer category
We'll confirm whether you qualify as a first home buyer, identify any off-the-plan exemptions that apply, and check for foreign buyer surcharge requirements.
Step 3: Calculate the base transfer duty
We apply the appropriate rate schedule to your purchase price, factoring in any exemptions or concessions you're eligible for.
Step 4: Include any surcharges
For non-permanent residents, we add the 7% foreign buyer surcharge to the base transfer duty calculation.
Step 5: Review total settlement costs
We provide a complete breakdown of all settlement costs including stamp duty, legal fees, and any other government charges.
Step 6: Coordinate with your conveyancer
We connect you with your solicitor or conveyancer to ensure all costs are accounted for and settlement proceeds smoothly.
What stamp duty mistakes do Perth buyers commonly make?
The biggest mistake Perth buyers make is assuming they don't qualify for first home buyer exemptions because they've owned property interstate or decades ago. The WA first home buyer definition is specifically about WA property ownership. If you've never owned property in Western Australia, you likely qualify regardless of interstate ownership history.
The second common error is missing the off-the-plan concession entirely. Many buyers aren't aware it has been extended to 30 June 2028 and now covers units, villas and townhouses under survey-strata and community-title schemes, not just multi-tiered apartments. Buyers of new strata stock in inner-Perth suburbs such as West Perth, East Perth and Maylands can potentially save tens of thousands of dollars if they enter into a pre-construction contract before the concession expires.
What are the first home buyer stamp duty savings in Perth?
First home buyers in Perth can save significant amounts on transfer duty, particularly in the city's growth corridors. The updated exemption now covers the full cost on properties up to $600,000, which includes many houses in suburbs like Armadale, Maddington, and Gosnells, where house medians sit in the $550,000 to $650,000 range. The full exemption can save first home buyers roughly $18,000 compared to the standard rate on a $600,000 purchase.
Examples of first home buyer transfer duty savings in metro Perth:
- › $450,000 property:$0 transfer duty for first home buyers (standard rate would be approximately $16,335).
- › $600,000 property:$0 transfer duty for first home buyers under the updated exemption (standard rate would be approximately $21,665).
- › $700,000 property: concessional rate applies for first home buyers (standard rate would be approximately $26,765).
- › Above $800,000: no concession available, standard rates apply to all buyers.
For vacant land, first home buyers purchasing land up to $450,000 now pay no transfer duty, with a concessional rate applying up to $550,000. The previous thresholds were $350,000 and $450,000 respectively. Always check the RevenueWA calculator for your exact figure, as the concessional sliding scale varies by price.
These updates also de-link the FHOG value cap from first home buyer duty eligibility. A buyer may still access a duty concession even if their purchase price exceeds the $800,000 FHOG cap, depending on the property type and their circumstances. Linking your first home buyer loan strategy to a clear understanding of which concessions stack is where having a broker makes a real difference.
~$18,000
Approximate transfer duty saving for a first home buyer purchasing at the new $600,000 full-exemption threshold, compared to the standard rate.
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Prefer to talk now? Call 08 9367 4222 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I qualify as a first home buyer in WA if I owned property interstate?
Yes. WA's first home buyer definition is specific to Western Australian property ownership. If you've never owned property in WA, you typically qualify for the exemption regardless of interstate ownership history.
Can I avoid stamp duty on an established home in Perth?
Only if you qualify as a first home buyer purchasing a property under $600,000 in metro Perth. The off-the-plan concession applies to new builds, off-the-plan units and pre-construction contracts only. Standard buyers pay full transfer duty on all established properties.
What is the deadline for the WA off-the-plan stamp duty concession?
The concession has been extended to 30 June 2028, and as of 12 March 2026 it also covers survey-strata and community-title schemes such as units, villas and townhouses. Pre-construction contracts receive up to 100% exemption on properties up to $800,000, capped at $50,000. Always confirm your eligibility with RevenueWA or your conveyancer.
How much stamp duty do foreign buyers pay in Perth?
Foreign buyers pay the standard transfer duty plus an additional 7% foreign buyer surcharge. Permanent residents are not affected by this surcharge and pay standard rates only.
Can I get a stamp duty exemption on vacant land in WA?
Yes. First home buyers purchasing vacant land up to $450,000 now pay no transfer duty, with a concessional rate applying up to $550,000. These thresholds were lifted by $100,000 in the 2026-27 WA Budget. This applies to land purchases for building your first home.
Should I use a mortgage broker or go directly to my bank when buying in Perth?
A mortgage broker, every time. Brokers understand the complete cost picture including stamp duty implications and can connect you with lenders who factor settlement costs into your borrowing capacity most favourably.
Is stamp duty included in my home loan in Perth?
No. Stamp duty must be paid at settlement and cannot be added to your loan amount. You need cash or equity to cover transfer duty, legal fees, and other settlement costs separately from your loan.
Your Next Steps
Getting your stamp duty calculation right is about more than just knowing the rate. It's about understanding which exemptions apply, whether the updated 2026 thresholds benefit your purchase, and factoring settlement costs into your total budget. The difference between paying full transfer duty and qualifying for an exemption can be tens of thousands of dollars on a single purchase.
The right lender for your Perth property purchase depends on your situation, and that's a conversation worth having. Talk to the Launch Finance team or call 08 9367 4222, and we'll compare your options across a wide panel of lenders at no cost to you.
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Launch Finance · General information only - this article does not constitute financial advice. Please consider your own circumstances and seek professional advice before making any financial decisions.
