See all costs when buying a property in Australia — stamp duty, legal fees, bank charges, inspections, insurance, and moving costs. State-specific estimates.
When buying property in Australia, the headline purchase price is just the beginning. You'll face numerous additional costs that can easily reach 10-15% of the property price. Our calculator breaks down all these costs by state and buyer type.
Stamp duty is the largest variable cost and varies significantly by state:
| State | Base Rate | FHB Threshold | Max Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 4.5% | $500k | 50% |
| VIC | 4.0% | $600k | 50% |
| QLD | 3.0% | $500k | Full exemption |
| WA | 4.0% | $600k | Full exemption |
| SA | 3.2% | $450k | Full exemption |
| TAS | 3.0% | $360k | Full exemption |
| ACT | 3.5% | $475k | Partial |
| NT | 3.0% | $450k | Full exemption |
If you're a first home buyer, you may qualify for significant stamp duty reductions or exemptions depending on your state and property price. Our calculator automatically applies these when you check the "First home buyer" box.
If your deposit is less than 20%, your lender will require LMI to protect themselves. This insurance cost is typically added to your loan balance:
Now that you understand the total cost to buy, you should model your complete financial position using the full EquitySight calculator. Model your monthly repayments, rental income (if investment property), and 30-year property value growth to make an informed decision.
For official information, consult these Australian regulatory bodies: