QLD Stamp Duty 2026-27: Rates, First Home New Build Full Exemption & Foreign Surcharge

QLD Stamp Duty 2026-27: Rates, First Home New Build Full Exemption & Foreign Surcharge HEHomeLoanAI Editorial·3 July 2026 Queensland stamp duty 2026-27: how the first-home rules changed everything Queensland made the most significant first-home buyer stamp duty reform in the country in 2025 — and it carries through to 2026-27. From 1 May 2025, first home buyers purchasing a brand-new home or vacant land to build on pay zero transfer duty, with no upper price limit. This changes the maths for Brisbane buyers dramatically. Here is the full breakdown for 2026-27. 2026-27 Queensland transfer duty rates The standard rates apply to all purchasers who do not qualify for a first-home concession: Up to $5,000: nil $5,001–$75,000: 1.5% of the excess over $5,000 $75,001–$540,000: $1,050 plus 3.5% of the excess over $75,000 $540,001–$1,000,000: $17,325 plus 4.5% of the excess over $540,000 Above $1,000,000: $38,025 plus 5.75% of the excess over $1,000,000

What you pay at common Brisbane price points

$500,000 property: $1,050 + 3.5% × ($500,000 – $75,000) = $1,050 + $14,875 = $15,925 $600,000 property: $17,325 + 4.5% × ($600,000 – $540,000) = $17,325 + $2,700 = $20,025 $800,000 property: $17,325 + 4.5% × ($800,000 – $540,000) = $17,325 + $11,700 = $29,025 $1,200,000 property: $38,025 + 5.75% × ($1,200,000 – $1,000,000) = $38,025 + $11,500 = $49,525

The first-home game-changer: new homes duty-free, no cap

From 1 May 2025, Queensland introduced a policy that is unmatched by any other state: first home buyers who purchase a new home (a newly constructed dwelling that has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence) or vacant land on which they will build their first home pay zero transfer duty — with no maximum price limit. This means a first home buyer purchasing a brand-new $800,000 house and land package in a Brisbane growth corridor saves $29,025 in stamp duty. At $1,200,000 for a new home in an established inner-city postcode, the saving is $49,525. There is no dollar cap — the exemption applies to the full dutiable value. For existing homes (established dwellings), the first-home concession is more limited but still meaningful: Dutiable value up to $700,000: full stamp duty exemption Dutiable value $700,001–$800,000: concessional rate, phasing out on a sliding scale The home must be occupied as your principal place of residence within 12 months of settlement and you must live there for at least 12 months. You must not have previously owned residential property in Australia or elsewhere. First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) Queensland's FHOG is $30,000 — the highest among the major mainland states — for first home buyers purchasing or building a new home. The price cap is $750,000. A first home buyer purchasing a new home for $650,000 can receive both the full stamp duty exemption (saving $21,625) and the $30,000 FHOG — a combined benefit of $51,625. Foreign acquirer additional duty (AFAD) Foreign buyers purchasing residential property in Queensland pay an additional 8% AFAD on top of the standard transfer duty. This surcharge is calculated on the full dutiable value and is separate from the general rates. For a foreign buyer purchasing a $700,000 Brisbane property, AFAD adds $56,000 to the standard duty of approximately $22,275 — for a total of $78,275. Data sources All QLD transfer duty rates, first-home concession thresholds, FHOG details, and AFAD rates above are verified against the Queensland Revenue Office as at July 2026. The duty-free new home policy was introduced 1 May 2025 and remains in effect for 2026-27. Always verify eligibility with the Queensland Revenue Office before relying on these figures. Frequently Asked Questions Q: What counts as a "new home" for the full exemption? A: A dwelling that has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence. This includes newly constructed homes, house and land packages where the home has not been previously lived in, and substantial renovations. Off-the-plan purchases where the dwelling has not yet been built also qualify. An existing home that has been previously occupied does not qualify for the unlimited exemption. Q: Can I get the exemption if I buy land and build later? A: Yes. Vacant land purchased with the intention of building your first home qualifies for the full transfer duty exemption, with no price cap. You must build and occupy the home within a specified timeframe (typically within two years of settlement). Q: Does the $30,000 FHOG apply to existing homes? A: No. The FHOG is only available for new homes (or construction) with a value under $750,000. Existing homes are not eligible for the grant, though they may qualify for the first-home stamp duty concession up to $700,000. Q: How does QLD compare with other states for first home buyers? A: Queensland's unlimited new-home stamp duty exemption is the most generous first-home stamp duty policy of any Australian state in 2026-27. Combined with the $30,000 FHOG, QLD offers the strongest combined benefit for first home buyers purchasing a new home among the major east-coast states. Next steps The difference between buying a new home and an existing home in Queensland can be tens of thousands of dollars in stamp duty alone. An Arrivau licensed adviser can help you compare the numbers for both options and identify whether you qualify for the full exemption. An adviser will respond within one business day. Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. QLD duty rates, thresholds, and concessions may change. Always verify current rules with the Queensland Revenue Office or a qualified professional. #stamp-duty#qld#first-home-buyer#2026-27 Not sure what rate you'd get? Ask the AI — free, unbiased, and no sign-up required. It knows current Australian lending rules and can run the numbers for you. Ask the AI assistant → Keep reading Stamp Duty NT Stamp Duty 2026-27: Rates, HomeGrown $50K Grant & No Foreign Surcharge