Stamp duty (officially called transfer duty) is a state tax payable when you buy property in Australian Capital Territory. Rates, exemptions, and concessions are set by ACT Revenue Office and updated each financial year. This page covers the 2025–26 rates, first home buyer concessions, foreign buyer surcharges, and includes a calculator pre-set to ACT.
Stamp duty is levied by the Australian Capital Territory government on the transfer of property. It is calculated on the greater of the purchase price or the property's market value, and must be paid by the buyer — usually within 30 days of settlement. It is one of the largest upfront costs in a property purchase and can significantly affect your required deposit and total funds to complete.
In Australian Capital Territory, the median house price in Canberra is approximately $870,000. At that price, a standard owner-occupier would pay approximately $27,328 in stamp duty — equivalent to 3.1% of the purchase price.
2026 key fact: ACT is transitioning from stamp duty to an annual land tax over 20 years. Home Buyer Concession Scheme provides full duty concession for eligible buyers.
Transfer duty in Australian Capital Territory is calculated using a tiered (progressive) schedule administered by ACT Revenue Office. Each tier specifies a base amount plus a marginal rate on the amount exceeding the lower threshold.
| Property Value Band | Base Amount | Marginal Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $260,000 | $0 | 0.6% |
| $260,000 – $300,000 | $1,560 | 2.27% |
| $300,000 – $500,000 | $2,468 | 3.49% |
| $500,000 – $750,000 | $9,448 | 4.32% |
| $750,000 – $1M | $20,248 | 5.9% |
| $1M – $1.5M | $34,998 | 6.4% |
| Over $1.5M | $64,118 | 4.54% |
These rates apply to residential properties purchased by Australian citizens and permanent residents for owner-occupier or investment purposes. Different rates may apply for commercial property, primary production land, or off-the-plan purchases.
Use the calculator below to estimate stamp duty on any property price in Australian Capital Territory. Results are indicative only — consult ACT Revenue Office or a licensed conveyancer for exact figures.
First home buyers in Australian Capital Territory are fully exempt from stamp duty on purchases up to $1M. A sliding concession then reduces the duty payable on properties between $1M and $1M, after which full duty applies. These thresholds apply to the 2025–26 financial year and are indexed annually by the state government.
First home buyers should also consider the federal First Home Guarantee, which allows eligible buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). See the full Australian Capital Territory First Home Buyer guide for all available assistance.
Foreign purchasers of residential property in Australian Capital Territory pay an additional surcharge of 0.8% on top of standard transfer duty. This surcharge is calculated on the full contract price and is administered by ACT Revenue Office. The surcharge applies to foreign persons as defined under state legislation and is separate from the federal Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) application fee.
At a purchase price of $750,000, a foreign buyer would pay $20,248 in standard duty plus a $5,625 surcharge, totalling $25,873.
The table below shows the stamp duty payable at common purchase prices for standard, first home buyer, and foreign buyer scenarios in Australian Capital Territory. All figures are based on 2025–26 rates.
| Purchase Price | Standard Duty | First Home Buyer | Foreign Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $9,448 | $0 | $13,198 |
| $750,000 | $20,248 | $0 | $25,873 |
| $1M | $34,998 | $0 | $42,498 |
| $1.5M | $66,161 | $66,161 | $77,411 |
Stamp duty in Australian Capital Territory is administered by ACT Revenue Office. Payment is typically handled by your conveyancer or solicitor at settlement, who will lodge the transfer and arrange payment on your behalf. You will usually need to pay within 30 days of the contract becoming unconditional (or at settlement, whichever comes first).
You can verify current rates and exemption thresholds directly with ACT Revenue Office before finalising your purchase. Rates can change each financial year and the figures above are based on the 2025–26 year.
Stamp duty is rarely the only upfront cost when buying property in Australian Capital Territory. Other common costs include:
As a rough guide, budget for total upfront costs (including stamp duty) of 4–6% of the purchase price for existing properties, and 2–4% for new builds (which may qualify for duty reductions in some states).
Buyers of off-the-plan apartments or house-and-land packages in Australian Capital Territory may be eligible for a stamp duty concession calculated on the land value component only — not the completed construction value. This can significantly reduce the duty payable at the time of contract. However, rules vary and concessions may be subject to holding periods and owner-occupier requirements. Confirm eligibility with ACT Revenue Office or a licenced conveyancer before proceeding.
Compare stamp duty rates across all Australian states and territories:
NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | NT
Or use the national stamp duty calculator to compare all states side by side.