Perth vs Regional WA: First Home Buyer Stamp Duty
Western Australia offers different first home buyer concession thresholds depending on whether you buy in Perth metropolitan area or regional WA. Regional buyers get a higher cap.
Perth metro first home buyers get full exemption up to $500,000 with a sliding scale to $700,000. Regional buyers enjoy a higher sliding scale ceiling of $750,000, providing additional savings on properties between $700,000 and $750,000.
Scenario A: Perth Metro
Scenario B: Regional WA
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01 —INPUTS
Regional WA saves $1,740.00 in stamp duty compared to Perth Metro.
02 —RESULTS
Scenario A
Perth MetroMetro cap: $700,000 | Regional cap: $750,000
2025-26 stamp duty rates
Stamp Duty$13,630.00
First Home Buyer SavingsSave $8,885.00
Deposit Amount$120,000.00
Government Fees$14,008.00
Total Cash Needed$134,008.00
Effective duty rate:2.27%
Scenario B
Regional WAMetro cap: $700,000 | Regional cap: $750,000
2025-26 stamp duty rates
Stamp Duty$11,890.00
First Home Buyer SavingsSave $10,625.00
Deposit Amount$120,000.00
Government Fees$12,268.00
Total Cash Needed$132,268.00
Effective duty rate:1.98%
03 —BREAKDOWN
This calculator provides estimates only and does not constitute financial advice. Actual amounts may vary. Consult a conveyancer or solicitor for accurate costs.
Edit inputs ↑How to use this comparison
- Review the pre-filled scenarios — we've set up realistic defaults for comparison
- Adjust the property price — enter your actual or expected purchase price
- Compare the results — see the stamp duty difference highlighted at the top
- Share or bookmark — the URL updates as you change inputs
Frequently asked questions
What are the WA first home buyer stamp duty thresholds?
WA offers full exemption up to $500,000 for all first home buyers. The sliding scale concession extends to $700,000 in Perth metro areas and $750,000 in regional areas.
What areas count as "regional" in WA?
Regional areas are those outside the Perth metropolitan area as defined by the Planning and Development Act. This includes major regional centres like Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Albany, and Broome, as well as rural areas.
How much can regional buyers save compared to metro?
For properties between $700,000 and $750,000, regional buyers continue to receive a sliding scale concession while metro buyers pay full duty. This can result in savings of several thousand dollars.
Is WA stamp duty competitive with other states?
WA has relatively competitive stamp duty rates, particularly for first home buyers. The full exemption threshold of $500,000 is lower than NSW ($800,000) but the general duty rates are often lower than eastern states.