First home buyer stamp duty exemption and concession
Eligible Victorian purchases with a dutiable value up to $600,000 are exempt. Above $600,000, relief tapers to zero at $750,000. Above that limit, this first home buyer benefit is unavailable; other relief requires separate assessment.
New and established homes can qualify. Vacant land and off-the-plan purchases need extra checks. Dutiable value is generally the greater of the price paid and market value, with special treatment for eligible transactions.
Who can qualify?
Check age, citizenship or residency, ownership history and benefits previously received by you or your partner. Generally, at least one purchaser must move in within 12 months of settlement and live there continuously for 12 months. Special rules and exceptions apply.
Put the duty estimate into your buying budget
Choose a property price you want to test, then work through the total funds required. Keep a separate allowance for moving and unexpected expenses.
- Estimate your purchase deposit and loan amount.
- Calculate duty with Victoria and the appropriate buyer details selected.
- Add conveyancing, inspections, registration, lender costs and settlement adjustments.
- Keep a financial buffer rather than committing all your savings.
Compare two purchase budgets
For an illustrative $600,000 established-home purchase, an eligible first home buyer pays $0 ordinary duty. A 10% deposit is $60,000, leaving $540,000 of the purchase price to fund. Registration, conveyancing and other costs still apply, and the loan needs lender approval.
At $650,000, ordinary general duty is $34,070. For an eligible first home buyer, the taper produces approximately $11,356.67 in duty. With a 10% deposit of $65,000, deposit plus duty is about $76,356.67, before other costs or any lenders mortgage insurance. This example assumes price equals dutiable value, an eligible established-home purchase and no additional relief or foreign purchaser duty. The final SRO assessment may round differently.
How do you apply?
Your conveyancer or solicitor normally handles the claim through the Digital Duties Form as part of the transfer. Have your contract and title information ready. If you later cannot meet the residency conditions, notify the SRO in writing within 30 days of becoming aware.
Build your first home buying plan
Bring your savings, income details and target property price to a conversation with Chris Berry. Together, you can review your deposit, estimated purchasing costs and potential home loan options before you make your next move.
Common questions
Questions first home buyers ask
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in Victoria?
Eligible buyers pay no ordinary duty on a dutiable value up to $600,000. Above $600,000, relief tapers to zero at $750,000. Buyers who do not qualify generally pay normal duty unless another concession applies. Ownership history, residency and occupancy conditions matter.
Is stamp duty included in my deposit?
Treat them as separate budget items. Your deposit contributes to the purchase price; duty is a transaction cost. Check the total funds required before committing your savings.
Can I use a calculator result as my final figure?
A calculator helps you compare scenarios. Confirm the transaction’s final duty treatment with your conveyancer or solicitor before relying on it at settlement.
Where should I compare other first home buyer support?
Use our government schemes guide to compare the types of support, then follow the official program links. Keep each program’s eligibility check separate from your lending assessment.