Stamp Duty Calculator
Calculate stamp duty (transfer duty) for Victoria (VIC) or territory.
What is stamp duty — and why do Australians hate it?
Stamp duty (officially called "transfer duty" in most states) is a tax you pay to your state or territory government when you buy property. It's calculated as a percentage of the purchase price or market value — whichever is higher — and must be paid upfront, usually within 30 days of settlement.
The tax dates back to 1694 England, when the government needed to fund wars. Clerks would literally stamp paper documents — contracts, deeds, licences — to prove the duty had been paid. Australia inherited the system during colonisation, and despite centuries of complaints, most states still use it.
NSW alone collected $9.2 billion in stamp duty in 2022–23. That's not a typo. For a median-priced home in Sydney, stamp duty can add $30,000–$50,000 to your upfront costs — money you've already paid income tax on.
- First Home Buyer concessions: Most states offer exemptions or discounts for first home buyers below certain price thresholds. These vary significantly — check your state revenue office for current limits.
- Victoria off-the-plan concession (until 20 Oct 2026): For new off-the-plan apartments, townhouses, and units, duty is calculated on the land value rather than the total purchase price. This can significantly reduce stamp duty. Available to all buyer types (not just first home buyers). Enter your land value in the calculator above and select "Off-the-plan" to see the saving.
- Victoria's land tax experiment: In 2021, Victoria floated replacing stamp duty with an annual land tax. The idea has economic merit (land taxes are more efficient than transaction taxes) but proved deeply unpopular with existing homeowners.
- ACT is different: The ACT is gradually phasing out stamp duty in favour of annual rates — the only jurisdiction in Australia actually doing it.