First Home Buyer Stamp Duty in WA: What You Will Actually Pay in 2026
WA first home buyers may pay no stamp duty up to $600,000. See the real dollar figures after the 7 May 2026 changes, and what else to budget for.
The short version
- Buying your first home in Perth? You may pay no stamp duty at all on a home up to $600,000, and a reduced amount up to $800,000.
- These rules changed on 7 May 2026, so a lot of older articles are now out of date.
- On a $700,000 home, that can mean about $16,150 instead of about $27,265. That is a saving of roughly $11,000.
- The $10,000 First Home Owner Grant is separate, and it only applies to new homes.
Stamp duty is the one cost that catches first home buyers out. It is a tax the state government charges when you buy a property, and it has to be paid at settlement. It is usually the biggest cost after your deposit.
The good news for Western Australians is that the rules became more generous on 7 May 2026. Here is what that means in dollars, in order, so you can see where you land.
What is stamp duty, and who pays it?
In Western Australia, the official name is transfer duty. You pay it to the state when the property changes hands. The amount depends on the price of the home, and the higher the price, the higher the rate.
It is not part of your home loan by default. Most lenders expect you to pay it from your own savings, so you need to plan for it on top of your deposit.
What changed on 7 May 2026
For eligible first home buyers, the First Home Owner Rate now works like this for a home:
For vacant land, there is no duty up to $450,000, and a reduced rate between $450,000 and $550,000.
What does that look like in dollars?
These examples compare the standard rates with the first home buyer rate, for a home. They show the duty only, not the other costs of buying.
| Purchase price | Standard stamp duty | First home buyer rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $17,765 | $0 | About $17,765 saved |
| $600,000 | $22,515 | $0 | About $22,515 saved |
| $700,000 | $27,265 | $16,150 | About $11,115 saved |
| $750,000 | $29,740 | $24,225 | About $5,515 saved |
| $800,000+ | Standard rates apply, so there is no first home buyer saving on the duty. | ||
Figures are for a home, rounded to the nearest dollar, and use the WA general transfer duty rates and the First Home Owner Rate in place from 7 May 2026. Your actual duty can differ, so confirm it before you sign a contract.
Notice what happens near the top of the range. Between $600,000 and $800,000 the saving shrinks quickly. A home just over $600,000 is a very different cost to one at $790,000, so it pays to know exactly where your budget sits.
The First Home Owner Grant is a separate thing
People often mix these two up. The grant is a one-off payment of $10,000 from the government, and it is for new homes (including house and land packages and owner-builds). It is not a discount on duty.
For the grant, the home generally needs to be valued at no more than $800,000 if it is south of the 26th parallel, which covers Perth and the South West. Other conditions apply, so check you are eligible before you count on it.
Who can use the first home buyer rate?
There are eligibility rules. In broad terms, you generally need to be buying your first home, be at least 18, and plan to live in it as your main home for a set period after settlement. Rules about past property ownership, including by a partner, can also matter.
Because the rules changed recently and the fine print matters, check the official RevenueWA information or ask your settlement agent early. Do not rely on an old article or a friend’s story from a few years ago.
Other costs to budget for
Duty is only one part. Most first home buyers also need to plan for:
- Your deposit, which many people aim for at around 5% to 20% of the price.
- Conveyancing or settlement agent fees.
- Building and pest inspections.
- Lender fees and, in some cases, lenders mortgage insurance if your deposit is small.
- Moving costs and the things a new home always needs.
Get the WA First Home Buyer Playbook
A step-by-step guide to the costs, grants and steps for buying your first home in Perth, with a simple worksheet to work out your own numbers.
Send me the playbookWe will email it straight to you.Your next steps
- Write down your price range. Then check where it sits against the $600,000 and $800,000 marks.
- Work out your savings. Include your deposit and all the extra costs above.
- Check your eligibility for the first home buyer rate and for the grant.
- Talk to a broker before you start looking. Knowing what you can borrow makes house hunting calmer.
Sources and when we checked
Figures checked on 16 October 2026. Sources: RevenueWA, Department of Finance (transfer duty rates and the First Home Owner Rate from 7 May 2026); WA Government, First Home Owner Grant information. Rules and thresholds can change, so confirm with the official sources before you buy. This article is general information only and is not personal advice.
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This article is general information only and does not take into account your personal financial situation, needs or objectives. Consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it. Figures and rules can change, so always check the latest details with the relevant authority.
Richard Morris is a Credit Representative (CRN 570376) of Strategic Mortgages Perth (ACR 570592), authorised under Connective Broker Services Pty Ltd (Australian Credit Licence 389328). This is not tax or legal advice. Please speak to your accountant or solicitor about your own situation.