What is the NSW first home buyer stamp duty exemption?

NSW offers a full stamp duty exemption for first home buyers purchasing properties valued up to $800,000. A sliding scale concession applies between $800,001 and $1,000,000, where you pay a proportion of the duty. Properties above $1,000,000 receive no concession.

Who qualifies as a first home buyer in NSW?

You must be 18+, an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and not have previously owned residential property in Australia. Your spouse/partner must also not have previously received a first home buyer benefit. You must move into the property within 12 months and live there for 6 continuous months.

What about the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)?

The $10,000 FHOG is separate from stamp duty concessions. It only applies to new homes valued up to $600,000. You can receive both the FHOG and the stamp duty exemption if you meet the criteria for each.

NSW First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Calculator

See how much you can save on stamp duty as a first home buyer in New South Wales. NSW offers generous concessions for properties under $1 million.

Updated for 2025-26. Shows your savings compared to standard rates.

Enter a property price to estimate your first home buyer stamp duty savings.

NSW first home buyer concessions

NSW has a two-tier system for first home buyers:

Property value	Concession	You pay
$0 – $800,000	Full exemption	$0 duty
$800,001 – $1,000,000	Sliding scale	Proportional duty *
$1,000,000+	None	Full duty

* Sliding scale formula: Standard duty × [(Value - $800,000) / $200,000]

Eligibility requirements

You must be 18 years or older
Australian citizen or permanent resident
Never owned residential property in Australia (including investment property)
Your spouse/partner must not have previously received a FHB benefit
Move into the property within 12 months of settlement
Live there as your principal residence for at least 6 continuous months

Vacant land concessions

If you're buying vacant land to build your first home:

Full exemption: up to $350,000
Sliding scale: $350,001 – $450,000

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

In addition to stamp duty concessions, you may also be eligible for the $10,000 First Home Owner Grant. This applies to new homes valued up to $600,000 (or $750,000 including land and building costs).

The FHOG is separate from stamp duty - you can receive both if eligible.

FAQ

Can I get the concession on an investment property?

No. You must live in the property as your principal residence. If you rent it out before meeting the occupancy requirement, you'll need to pay the full duty.

What if my partner has owned property before?

If your spouse or de facto partner has previously owned residential property in Australia, you may not be eligible for the full concession. Contact Revenue NSW for specific advice.

Does foreign stamp duty surcharge apply?

First home buyers who are Australian citizens or permanent residents are exempt from the foreign surcharge. Temporary residents pay an additional 9% surcharge (increased from 8% on 1 January 2025).

Next step: Mortgage App

Stamp duty is only one piece of the first-home-buyer decision

After checking the NSW concession, continue into the mortgage app to test repayments, rate stress, and borrowing comfort before you commit to a property range.

Repayment calculator Rate stress test Preapproval guide

Open first home borrowing workflow

NSW first home buyer concessions confirmed January 2025. Source: Revenue NSW.