Stamp Duty Exemption NSW 2025

🏡 Stamp Duty Exemption for First Home Buyers in New South Wales (2025 Update)

If you’re buying your first home in New South Wales, you could save thousands in upfront costs thanks to the state’s stamp duty exemptions and concessions.

Stamp duty (or transfer duty) is one of the biggest hurdles when entering the property market but in NSW, first home buyers get special treatment depending on the property’s price.

💰 Full Stamp Duty Exemption – Up to $800,000

If you’re purchasing a new or existing home valued at $800,000 or less, you’ll pay no stamp duty under the First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme (FHBAS).

That’s a saving of $30,000+ in many cases money that can stay in your pocket or go towards your deposit and setup costs.

⚖️ Concessions – $800,001 to $1,000,000

If the property is valued between $800,001 and $1 million, you’ll receive a sliding concession on stamp duty.
The closer your property is to $800k, the greater the discount.

For example, a $900k home may attract partial stamp duty rather than the full amount.

🏗️ Vacant Land

If you’re buying vacant land to build your first home:

• No stamp duty on land valued up to $350,000
   
• Concessions on land valued between $350,001 and $450,000
   

👤 Eligibility Requirements

To qualify under the First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme, you must:
✅ Be an individual (not a company or trust)
✅ Be at least 18 years old
✅ Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
✅ Have never owned property in Australia before
✅ Move in within 12 months of settlement and live there for at least 6 continuous months

If you’re buying with a partner, you both need to meet the criteria.

📈 Example

Say you’re buying a $780,000 home in Sydney:

• Normally, stamp duty would cost around $30,000+
   
• Under the FHBAS, you’ll pay $0 in duty
   

That’s a massive saving and often the difference between waiting and buying now.

📝 How to Apply

Your conveyancer or solicitor can apply for the exemption or concession when lodging your purchase documents.

You can also read more and check eligibility through Revenue NSW:

https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/taxes-duties-levies-royalties/transfer-duty/first-home-buyers

💡 Pro Tip: Combine with Federal Incentives

In NSW, you can stack your savings with:

• The 5% Deposit Scheme (no LMI)
   
• The First Home Owner Grant (for new builds)
   

This combination helps you buy sooner and reduce upfront costs significantly.

🏠 Need Help Navigating It All?

At Home Loan HQ, we help first home buyers find the right path combining state and federal schemes so you get the maximum savings.

We’ll run your numbers and show exactly how much you can save in stamp duty, LMI, and upfront costs.

📞 Chat to Lendcom and we’ll make sure you don’t miss a single opportunity.