Eligible first home buyers in Queensland pay no transfer duty on established homes up to $700,000 or new homes up to $800,000, with tapered concessions above those thresholds. Foreign purchasers pay an additional 8%. Here’s how it works, with a worked example and Queensland Revenue Office citations.
Eligible first home buyers in Queensland pay no transfer duty on established homes up to $700,000 or new homes up to $800,000, with tapered concessions above those ceilings. The Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty (AFAD) is 8% on top of standard transfer duty (as at April 2026). For a $650,000 Brisbane home, a non-first-home buyer pays roughly $12,700 using the owner-occupier rate. Verify with the QRO transfer duty estimator.
Transfer duty rates, thresholds and AFAD are set by Queensland state budget decisions and can move between annual budgets. The figures above reflect Queensland Revenue Office’s position as at April 2026. Before committing to a purchase, verify current rates at Queensland Revenue Office or run the official estimator. This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice.
No, eligible first home buyers in Queensland pay no transfer duty on established homes up to $700,000 or new homes up to $800,000. Tapered concessions apply above those ceilings. You must occupy as principal residence within 1 year of settlement and live there continuously for 12 months. Verify at Queensland Revenue Office.
Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty (AFAD) is an 8% surcharge on top of standard transfer duty applied to foreign individuals, corporations and trusts acquiring residential property in Queensland (as at April 2026). Verify at QRO.
Transfer duty must be paid within 30 days of the contract becoming unconditional, or by settlement — whichever is earlier. Your conveyancer handles this as part of settlement. Late payment attracts interest.
Yes — for new homes, the FHB transfer duty concession and Queensland First Home Owner Grant (up to $30,000 as at April 2026) can generally stack, subject to each scheme’s eligibility rules. Ask your home loan specialist to confirm eligibility for both before contract.
Using QRO’s owner-occupier graduated brackets, a non-first-home buyer pays approximately $12,700 on a $650,000 purchase. A first home buyer at the same price pays $0 (within the $700K concession ceiling). Run your exact scenario through the QRO estimator.
A vetted home loan specialist will calculate your exact duty, FHB eligibility, FHOG stack, total upfront costs and borrowing capacity — free to you, no cost and no obligation.
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