Stamp Duty

Stamp duty remains a critical consideration in Australian property transactions, governed by various state and territory statutes. This guidance note provides a comprehensive overview of transfer duty obligations, exemptions, concessions, and compliance nuances that practitioners must navigate. It highlights practical implications for purchasers and advisers.

Topics Covered

• New South Wales transfer duty essentials
• Victoria stamp duty overview
• Queensland transfer duty and the PLA23 changes
• Western Australia duties and recent amendments
• South Australia stamp duty and foreign ownership surcharge
• Tasmania stamp duty topics
• Northern Territory duty rates and concessions
• Australian Capital Territory duty framework

Essential Insights

• Understand the critical timing and payment obligations that trigger transfer duty liabilities across jurisdictions.
• Evaluate complex valuation requirements and when independent assessments become mandatory.
• Navigate purchaser/transferee declarations and their role in surcharge purchaser duty for foreign buyers.
• Identify strategic exemptions and concessions, such as first home buyer schemes and nominal duty transfers.
• Diligently manage aggregation rules that may combine multiple transactions for higher duty assessment.