Stamp Duty & Government Grants FAQs

Some lenders allow you to capitalise stamp duty and other purchase costs into the loan (known as a 105% LVR loan), but this increases your total debt and may attract Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). We can advise on the best approach for your circumstances.

Yes. Owner-occupiers may access concessions and exemptions not available to investors. Additionally, foreign buyers pay a surcharge of 8% on top of standard stamp duty in NSW. The calculator accounts for these differences.

Stamp duty — officially called transfer duty in NSW — is a state government tax paid when you purchase property. The amount is calculated on a sliding scale based on the property value and whether it is your primary residence or an investment.

Stamp duty (transfer duty) in New South Wales is calculated on a sliding scale based on the purchase price. For a property purchased at $2,000,000 — typical for Woollahra, Paddington, or Bellevue Hill — the stamp duty payable is approximately $95,490. At $3,000,000, this rises to approximately $145,490. First home buyers may access a full exemption under the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme (FHBAS) for properties up to $800,000, or a concessional rate up to $1,000,000 — thresholds that are rarely met in these premium suburbs. As a Registered Tax Agent and CPA, James Chee can provide precise stamp duty calculations, advise on any applicable exemptions or concessions, and help you factor transfer duty into your overall borrowing and cash flow strategy. Ding Financial offers integrated mortgage and tax advisory services for Eastern Suburbs property transactions.

In NSW, stamp duty must be paid within three months of the contract date (exchange of contracts). Your solicitor or conveyancer typically arranges payment through Revenue NSW as part of the settlement process.