Updated 26 August 2020.
Read this article if you want to learn about calculating Stamp Duty in Western Australia.
But if you’re just looking to calculate stamp duty, then use this online stamp duty calculator.
Important points to note about WA Stamp Duty
- Investors and Home Buyers pay the residential rate of WA stamp duty
- Home Buyers get a discount, and pay a concessional rate when the purchase price is up to $200,000.
- First Home Buyers (FHB) may be eligible for an exemption of stamp duty.
- For First Home Buyers of vacant land, there’s also an exemption of stamp duty available.
Residential Rate of WA Stamp Duty (Transfer Duty)
If you’re purchasing as an investor or a home buyer purchasing for over $200,000 in Western Australia, you’ll pay the full amount of residential duty.
If you’re purchasing vacant residential land in Western Australia, and intending to build a home to occupy within 5 years – you’ll pay the residential rate of duty – otherwise you’ll have to pay the general rate of duty.
Residential Rate of Duty in Western Australia:
To calculate your stamp duty costs, use the online stamp duty calculator.
| Your Purchase Price | Residential Rate of WA Stamp Duty |
| $0 – $80,000 | $1.90 per $100 or part thereof |
| $120,001 – $150,000 | $2,280 + $2.85 per $100 or part thereof above $120,000 |
| $150,001 – $360,000 | $3,135 + $3.80 per $100 or part thereof above $150,000 |
| $360,001 – $725,000 | $11,115 + $4.75 per $100 or part thereof above $360,000 |
| Over $725,000 | $28,453 + $5.15 per $100 or part thereof above $725,000 |
General Rate of Duty in Western Australia:
Not for eligible residential transactions. For the vast majority of residential property type purchases, the prior calculation will apply.
| Your Purchase Price | General Rate of WA Stamp Duty |
| $0 – $80,000 | $1.90 per $100 or part thereof |
| $80,001 – $100,000 | $1,520 + $2.85 per $100 or part thereof above $80,000 |
| $100,001 – $250,000 | $2,090 + $3.80 per $100 or part thereof above $100,000 |
| $250,001 – $500,000 | $7,790 + $4.75 per $100 or part thereof above $250,000 |
| Over $500,000 | $19,665 + $5.15 per $100 or part thereof above $500,000 |
WA Stamp Duty Discounts
There’s various WA stamp duty exemptions or concessions, we’ll cover all of the most common so that you can see whether or not you may be eligible for a discount or waiver.
Concessions for Home Buyers
- Unfortunately, the home buyer concessions are only available to those purchasing a home of up to $200,000 in value.
- If you’re purchasing for above $200,000 you’ll pay the residential rate of duty (above).
Concessional Rate of Duty:
| Your Purchase Price | Concessional Rate of WA Stamp Duty |
| $0 – $100,000 | $1.50 per $100 or part thereof |
| $100,001 to $200,000 | $1,500 + $4.39 per $100 or part thereof above $ 100,000 |
| Over $200,000 | See above for the residential rate of duty |
Concessions for First Home Buyers
- No duty payable for up to $430,000. First Home Buyers in WA receive an exemption of stamp duty when the purchase price doesn’t exceed $430,000.
- If you’re purchasing for a price in between $430,000 and $530,000 the concessional rate of stamp duty will apply.
- For purchases over $530,000 there’s no concessions.
How to calculate the stamp duty for first home buyers in Western Australia:
| Your Purchase Price | Concessional Rate |
| $0 – $430,000 | No duty payable |
| $430,001 – $530,000 | $19.19 for every $100 or part of $100, that exceeds $430,000 |
| Over $530,000 | See the above residential rate of duty |
Please don’t confuse the First Home Buyers concessions with the First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) Scheme. Concession is a discount off the stamp duty payable, and the FHOG is a lump sum payment to you from the State Government. If you’d like more information on the FHOG in Western Australia, click here.
First Home Vacant Land
- Exemptions of stamp duty for purchases up to $300,000. As a First Home Buyer of Vacant Land, you’ll pay no stamp duty if you’re purchasing for no more than $300,000.
- If you’re purchasing for between $300,000 and $400,000 then you’ll get a concession.
- Over $400,000 and there’s no concession on the stamp duty.
- If your purchase price is greater than $400,000 then you lose your concession entirely, and you pay the full rate of duty.
How to calculate the stamp duty for first home buyers of vacant land in Western Australia:
| Your Purchase Price | Concessional Rate |
| $0 – $300,000 | No duty payable |
| $300,001 – $400,000 | $13.01 for every $100 or part of $100, that exceeds $300,000 |
| Over $400,000 | See the above residential rate of duty |
Foreign Investors
The duty surcharge for foreign buyers increases from 4% to 7% from 1 January 2019.
Other Exemptions or Concessions
You may be eligible for an exemption if:
- You’re transferring the ownership to a spouse (a few rules apply)
- Family Farm transactions
You can read about other exemptions and eligibility criteria here on the government website.
You may be eligible for just a nominal $20 duty fee if:
- Your marriage/de-facto relationship has broken down
- Deceased estate transactions
You can read about other situations where you may be eligible for the nominal stamp duty fee along with eligibility criteria here on the government website.
When is Stamp (Transfer) Duty Payable?
Technically, WA stamp duty is payable within 2 months of the transaction agreement (contract date).
Other Government Fees:
There are many possible fees that you could encounter, depending on the nature of your transaction, however in this article we’ll address only the 3 you’re most likely to encounter during a property transaction.
- Transfer Registration
- Mortgage Registration
- Mortgage Discharge Registration
In the Western Australian State Budget each year, the Treasurer will announce changes to the fees.
Transfer Registration (when a ‘transfer of ownership’ is occurring)
When you purchase a property, there is a legal document that transfers the ownership of that property in to your name.
And the transfer of ownership has to be registered, and the State Government charges a fee for managing the register.
In good news for Western Australian’s, the cost of a Transfer Registration isn’t too bad on a national scale.
Effective the 1st July 2020:
| Your Purchase Price | Transfer Registration fee |
| $0 – $85,000 | $178.20 |
| $85,001 – $120,000 | $188.20 |
| $120,001 – $200,000 | $208.20 |
| $200,001 – $2,000,000 | $208.20 + $20 for each $100,000 or part thereof over $200,000. |
| $2,000,001 and above | $20 for every $100,000 or part thereof, -568.20 |
This is not Transfer (stamp) duty, it’s a completely different fee.
Use the online stamp duty calculator, it also calculates the transfer fee.
Mortgage Registration (when you are borrowing money)
The mortgage gives the bank the right to sell your property if you don’t pay them back.
- Mortgage Registration Fee as at 1st July 2020 is $178.20.
The mortgage registration ensures that the mortgage can be viewed by a simple title search.
This therefore prevents you from selling your home and not paying back the lender – because the transfer of ownership wouldn’t be able to happen unless the previous mortgage was discharged.
Mortgage Discharge Registration (when you are refinancing or selling)
This is payable when your existing mortgage is being discharged (released).
- Mortgage Discharge Registration Fee as at 1st July 2020 is $178.20.
This is usually payable when you’re refinancing or selling.
However, if you’re purchasing a property, your new lender may prepare a Mortgage Discharge and charge you this fee. Your solicitor arranging the settlement, will pass on that fee to the seller so that you’re not out of pocket.
Resources
Assessment of WA Transfer duty
https://www.finance.wa.gov.au/cms/State_Revenue/Duties/Assessment_of_Duty.aspx
Transfer of Land Act (for Transfer Registration, Mortgage Registration, and other lodgement fees)
https://www0.landgate.wa.gov.au/for-individuals/forms-and-fees/Lodgement-and-search-forms
Not purchasing in Western Australia?
Click on the below link, and select your State:
Overview of Government Fees on Property Purchases in Australia