Stamp duty can be one of the biggest extra costs when buying a home, but eligible first home buyers in WA may not have to pay the full amount.
Following changes announced in the 2026-27 State Budget, the thresholds have increased, meaning more first home buyers may qualify for a full exemption or a reduced rate.
In the final article in our Buying your first home in 2026? series, we look at the stamp duty support available in WA and how the recent threshold changes could affect what you pay.
What is stamp duty?
Stamp duty, also known as transfer duty, is a State Government tax that can apply when you buy property.
How much you pay depends on things such as the value of the property and whether you qualify for a concession or exemption.
For eligible first home buyers in WA, the first home owner rate of duty can reduce the amount payable, or remove it altogether.
How does the first home buyer support work?
For eligible transactions entered into on or after 7 May 2026:
- new or established homes valued up to $600,000 attract no duty
- homes valued between $600,001 and $800,000 receive a concessional rate
- homes valued above $800,000 are assessed at the general rate of transfer duty.
The concessional rate is $16.15 for every $100, or part of $100, above $600,000.
For example, if you bought an eligible home for $700,000, the concession would apply to the $100,000 above the $600,000 exemption threshold.
That would result in $16,150 in duty.
The thresholds apply to the dutiable value of the property, and the relevant rate is based on the date you enter into the agreement, not the settlement date.
What about vacant land?
There is also support for eligible first home buyers purchasing vacant land.
For transactions entered into on or after 7 May 2026:
- no duty is payable on vacant land valued up to $450,000
- a concessional rate applies from $450,001 to $550,000
- vacant land valued above $550,000 is assessed at the general rate.
For land between $450,001 and $550,000, duty is charged at $20.14 for every $100, or part of $100, above $450,000.
Who can access the concession?
Eligibility for the first home owner rate of duty is closely linked to the First Home Owner Grant rules.
You may be eligible if you qualify for the First Home Owner Grant, or would have qualified except for certain grant-specific requirements.
The concession can apply to both new and established homes, which is an important difference from the First Home Owner Grant itself.
If you are not approved before settlement, duty may initially be assessed at the general rate. Once you are approved for the first home owner rate, you can apply for a reassessment and refund.
How is this different from the First Home Owner Grant?
The two forms of support are related, but they are not the same thing.
The First Home Owner Grant is a $10,000 payment available to eligible buyers purchasing or building a new home.
The first home owner rate of duty reduces the transfer duty you pay when buying an eligible property and can apply to both new and established homes.
You may be eligible for both, depending on the property you buy and your circumstances.
Before making an offer, use REIWA’s Stamp Duty Calculator or speak with your settlement agent or conveyancer to understand how much duty may apply to the property you are considering.
