When you buy a house, you have to pay stamp duty. But it’s not always clear how much you’re up for.

That’s because stamp duty costs – which are technically called ‘transfer duty’ in Queensland – can change depending on your circumstances. 

Stamp duty basics

Stamp duty costs depend on various factors, including:

• the purchase price of the property
• the location of the property
• whether the buyer is an investor, owner occupier or first home buyer. 

You can calculate the stamp duty you may have to pay on your property using Suncorp Bank's Stamp Duty Calculator. 

Stamp duty exemptions may also be available in other situations like the transfer of property to kids or a spouse following the death of a property owner. 

Breaking down stamp duty costs in Queensland 

Working out how stamp duty costs affect first homeowners, owner occupiers and property investors can help you budget for buying a home.

Stamp duty concessions for first home buyers

From 1 May 2025, first home buyers in Queensland who enter into a contract to purchase a new home to live in (or who purchase vacant land for building a home to live in) can apply for a full transfer duty concession. That means for these first home buyers, there's no transfer duty to pay.

For more information, visit the Queensland Government's website. 

Concessions even when you've owned a home before

You’re entitled to a discount as an owner occupier in Queensland as long as you meet certain eligibility requirements. The home concession applies to a portion of the property’s price, with general transfer duty rates applied to the balance. 

For more information, visit the Queensland Government's website. 

Knowing where stamp duty costs fit

Suncorp Bank’s lending experts can help you understand your options, including helping you estimate how much stamp duty you'll need to pay and how you could potentially include these costs in your home financing. All consultations are 100% obligation free.

Talk to a home lending expert

Published 2 April 2025