Most buyers expect stamp duty to be a single charge on the purchase price. In Queensland, the reality is more layered: the rate changes depending on the value of what is bought, the type of property, who is buying it, and whether any concession applies. Getting that wrong at the start of a transaction can affect settlement.
Queensland Revenue Office figures show the general duty rate reaches $38,025 plus $5.75 for each $100 over $1,000,000 for high-value purchases, but many buyers pay significantly less than the general rate, depending on whether they qualify for the home concession, the first home concession or the first home (new home) concession. The distinctions between those three matter, and so does a citizenship requirement that came into effect on 1 August 2026.
The Brookwater Legal team helps clients across Greater Springfield and Ipswich with transfer duty calculations, concession eligibility and the conveyancing process from contract to settlement.
Here is how transfer duty (stamp duty) generally works in Queensland, and what the current rates and concessions mean for buyers in 2026.
Key takeaways
- Queensland transfer duty rates rise in bands, not as a single flat percentage.
- Only one transfer duty concession can be claimed per transaction.
- From 1 August 2026, buyers must be Australian citizens or permanent residents to claim a home concession.
This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Every situation is different, and you should speak with a solicitor about your own circumstances.
What is transfer duty in Queensland, and who pays it?
Transfer duty, formerly known as stamp duty, is a Queensland Government tax on certain transactions, most commonly the purchase of property or land, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. In most cases both the seller and the buyer are liable, but the buyer usually pays. The tax is applied to the dutiable value of the property, which is generally the higher of the market value or the price agreed to be paid.
Documents are lodged for duty within 30 days from when the liability arises, which is usually the date the contract is signed or becomes unconditional, not the settlement date, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. Where a solicitor registered as a self assessor lodges online, the duty must be paid within 14 days after that. The Revenue Office notes that late lodgement or late payment can result in penalty tax and interest charges, and can delay settlement.
What are the current Queensland transfer duty rates?
Queensland transfer duty is calculated on a sliding scale, with the rate increasing at each threshold, according to the Queensland Revenue Office as at 25 June 2026. These general rates apply to most transactions that do not qualify for a concession, including investment properties and commercial purchases.
General transfer duty rates as at 25 June 2026:
- › Up to $5,000: nil
- › $5,001 to $75,000:$1.50 for each $100 or part thereof over $5,000
- › $75,001 to $540,000:$1,050 plus $3.50 for each $100 or part thereof over $75,000
- › $540,001 to $1,000,000:$17,325 plus $4.50 for each $100 or part thereof over $540,000
- › More than $1,000,000:$38,025 plus $5.75 for each $100 or part thereof over $1,000,000
Investment properties and holiday homes do not qualify for home concessions and are assessed at the general rates, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. The Revenue Office also notes that duty is generally imposed on GST-inclusive amounts, and a reassessment may be required where GST forms part of the consideration but duty was calculated on the GST-exclusive amount only.
What transfer duty concessions can Queensland buyers access?
Three concessions apply to owner-occupiers in Queensland, according to the Queensland Revenue Office, and only one may be claimed per transaction:
- › Home concession: available to owner-occupiers buying a home, regardless of whether it is their first. Saves up to $7,175. The buyer must move in and live there on a daily basis within 1 year of settlement; this time cannot be extended.
- › First home concession: for buyers who have never owned a home anywhere in Australia or overseas. Applies to established homes valued under $800,000 and saves up to $24,525. For contracts entered into on or after 9 June 2024, no duty is payable on homes valued at $700,000 or under, then reduces in steps to nil at $800,000.
- › First home (new home) concession: for first home buyers purchasing a new or substantially renovated home, or vacant land to build on. Available from 1 May 2025 and has no value cap, reducing duty to nil for eligible buyers.
From 1 August 2026, buyers claiming a home, first home or first home vacant land concession must be Australian citizens, permanent residents or specified foreign retirees, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. This change applies to all three concessions and is a live requirement.
"One of the most common misunderstandings we see is buyers assuming the first home concession applies to all purchases under a certain value. It applies only to established homes under $800,000, and an entirely different concession covers new homes, with no value cap."
Jade Kickbusch, Principal, Brookwater Legal
What is the difference between the first home concession and the first home owner grant?
The first home concession and the first home owner grant are two separate benefits, and the distinction matters because one applies to established homes and the other does not.
The first home concession is a reduction in the transfer duty payable on an established home under $800,000. The first home owner grant, by contrast, is a $30,000 cash payment from the Queensland Government for eligible buyers of a new home valued at less than $750,000 including land. There is no first home owner grant for buyers of established homes, according to the Queensland Revenue Office.
The grant applies to new homes, substantially renovated homes, contracts to build and off-the-plan purchases. The buyer must be a natural person aged 18 or older, be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or applying with someone who is), move in within 1 year of the completed transaction and live there continuously for 6 months, according to the Queensland Revenue Office.
How does a solicitor help with transfer duty in Queensland?
Managing transfer duty correctly is one of the core tasks in every Queensland conveyance. A solicitor reviews the contract, identifies which concession (if any) applies, lodges the duty documents as a registered self assessor within the required timeframe and ensures the stamped documents are ready for settlement. For Springfield and Ipswich buyers, our conveyancing team works through the eligibility rules, the citizenship requirement and the correct concession from the outset so there are no surprises at settlement.
Step 1: Talk to us
Get in touch and we will explain how transfer duty applies to your purchase, which concession may be available and what the process involves.
Step 2: Review the contract and eligibility
We review the contract of sale and identify whether the home concession, the first home concession or the first home (new home) concession applies, checking eligibility including the citizenship requirement that came into effect on 1 August 2026.
Step 3: Lodge the duty documents
As a registered self assessor we lodge the relevant documents with the Queensland Revenue Office within the required timeframe and arrange payment, ensuring everything is stamped and ready before settlement.
Step 4: Proceed to settlement
We coordinate with the seller's side, the lender and Titles Queensland to complete the transfer, with duty paid and the title ready to register in the buyer's name.
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When does the additional foreign acquirer duty apply in Queensland?
An additional 8% duty applies to acquisitions of residential land by foreign persons, including foreign companies and trustees of foreign trusts, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. A foreign person for this purpose is an individual who is not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a foreign corporation or the trustee of a foreign trust where foreign persons hold at least 50% of the interests.
Where there are multiple buyers, the additional foreign acquirer duty applies only to the interests of the foreign acquirers, according to the Revenue Office. The home concession, where it applies, reduces the transfer duty portion only and does not reduce the additional duty.
What do buyers most commonly get wrong about Queensland stamp duty?
The most frequent misunderstanding is conflating the first home concession with the first home owner grant. The concession reduces duty on an established home under $800,000. The grant provides $30,000 for a new home under $750,000. They are separate, they have different eligibility rules, and only one of them covers established homes.
A second common error is assuming that a home concession can be claimed even if the property is rented out before the buyer moves in. The Queensland Revenue Office is clear that the buyer cannot sell, transfer, lease or rent any of the property before moving in, and the buyer must live there on a daily basis within 1 year of settlement. Failing to meet those conditions can require the buyer to lodge a notice for reassessment and repay part or all of the concession, with interest and penalty tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between transfer duty and stamp duty in Queensland?
They are the same tax. The Queensland Revenue Office formally renamed it transfer duty, but it is the same charge that most buyers still call stamp duty. Both terms appear in everyday use.
When does transfer duty need to be paid in Queensland?
Documents are generally lodged within 30 days of the contract date, not the settlement date, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. Where a solicitor lodges online as a registered self assessor, payment is due within 14 days after that.
Can a Queensland first home buyer claim both the grant and a duty concession?
Generally yes, for a new home. A buyer of a new home valued under $750,000 may claim the $30,000 first home owner grant and the first home (new home) concession, which reduces duty to nil, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. Only one duty concession may be claimed per transaction.
Does the first home owner grant apply to established homes in QLD?
No. The first home owner grant is not available for buyers of established homes, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. It applies only to new homes, substantially renovated homes and contracts to build, valued at less than $750,000 including land.
Do investment properties attract the same transfer duty rates as owner-occupied homes in Queensland?
Investment properties are assessed at the general duty rates with no concession available, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. Home concessions are generally available only to owner-occupiers who move in within the required period.
Do you need a solicitor to handle transfer duty for a property purchase in Springfield or Ipswich QLD?
A solicitor identifies the correct concession, lodges the duty documents as a registered self assessor and ensures stamped documents are ready for settlement. For Springfield and Ipswich purchases, a solicitor can confirm which concession applies and whether the citizenship requirement affects eligibility.
What happens if a home concession is claimed but the buyer does not move in within the required period in Queensland?
The buyer must lodge a notice for reassessment within 28 days of not meeting the obligation, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. Part or all of the concession may need to be repaid, along with interest and penalty tax.
Your Next Steps
Transfer duty is one of the largest upfront costs in a Queensland property purchase, and the concession rules have changed significantly in the past twelve months, with the August 2026 citizenship requirement joining the new first home (new home) concession that commenced in May 2025. For buyers in Ipswich and Greater Springfield, knowing which concession applies and confirming eligibility before contract is the kind of preparation that avoids reassessments and delays at settlement.
Every transfer duty matter is different, and that's exactly why it's worth a conversation. Make an appointment with the Brookwater Legal team or call (07) 3437 8555.
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External Resources
- Queensland Revenue Office - Transfer duty
- Queensland Revenue Office - Transfer duty rates
- Queensland Revenue Office - Transfer duty concessions
- Queensland Revenue Office - First home concession
- Queensland Revenue Office - First home (new home) concession
- Queensland Revenue Office - First home owner grant
Brookwater Legal · This article contains general information only and does not constitute legal advice. It does not take into account your individual circumstances. You should obtain legal advice about your own situation before acting on anything in this article. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
