ACT First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Calculator
The ACT has Australia's highest first home buyer threshold at $1,020,000. The Home Buyer Concession Scheme provides a full exemption for eligible buyers.
Income threshold of $250,000 gross household income applies.
Full exemption up to $1,020,000. Income threshold $250,000 applies.
Select a preset:
Enter a property price to estimate your first home buyer stamp duty savings in the ACT.
ACT Home Buyer Concession Scheme
The ACT scheme is more generous than most states:
| Property value | Concession | You pay |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $1,020,000 | Full exemption | $0 duty |
| Over $1,020,000 | None | Owner-occupier rates |
Important: Unlike other states, the ACT scheme is not strictly "first home buyer" - it's available to anyone who hasn't owned property in the last 5 years and meets the income test.
Eligibility requirements
- Gross household income of $250,000 or less (all buyers combined)
- Have not owned or co-owned a residential property in Australia in the previous 5 years
- Move into the property within 12 months of settlement
- Live there as your principal residence for at least 12 continuous months
- Property must be residential (not commercial)
Income threshold
The $250,000 income threshold is based on gross income (before tax) and includes:
- Salary and wages
- Business income
- Investment income
- Trust distributions
- Income of all buyers combined (not just the applicant)
Not strictly "first home buyer"
The ACT scheme differs from other states because:
- You can have previously owned property (as long as not in the last 5 years)
- Previous first home owner grants don't disqualify you
- It's technically a "home buyer" concession, not "first" home buyer
This makes it useful for people re-entering the property market after selling their home.
No foreign purchaser surcharge
The ACT is unique among Australian jurisdictions - it does not charge a foreign purchaser surcharge. This applies to all buyers, including those eligible for the Home Buyer Concession.
FAQ
What if I owned property 6 years ago?
You're eligible - the 5-year rule means you can't have owned property in the last 5 years. Ownership before that doesn't disqualify you.
What about the property value threshold?
The $1,020,000 threshold is indexed annually. Properties above this receive no concession and pay standard owner-occupier rates.
Is there a First Home Owner Grant in ACT?
The ACT's First Home Owner Grant was discontinued in 2019. The Home Buyer Concession Scheme replaced it with stamp duty savings instead of cash grants.
The ACT concession helps at purchase, but the mortgage still decides affordability
After checking the ACT home buyer concession, continue into the mortgage app to test affordability, preapproval range, and rate stress before you negotiate or bid.
ACT Home Buyer Concession confirmed January 2025. Source: ACT Revenue Office.