Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in SA?

First home buyers purchasing a new home or vacant land on which a new home will be built pay no stamp duty in South Australia (no value cap, as extended in the 2023-24 state budget). Established homes still attract standard duty. Verify at RevenueSA.

Is there a First Home Owner Grant in SA?

Yes, SA offers a First Home Owner Grant of $15,000 for new homes up to $650,000 purchase price. This is separate from the duty relief on new builds and both may apply.

When is SA stamp duty payable?

Stamp duty in SA must be paid within 2 months of settlement. Your conveyancer handles this via RevenueSA's lodgement system.

Stamp Duty SA · Free Guide · Updated April 2026

Stamp Duty in South Australia — What You’ll Actually Pay

Q: How is SA stamp duty calculated on an established home?

SA uses graduated brackets applied to the purchase price or market value. A $500,000 established home attracts approximately $21,330 in stamp duty. Use the RevenueSA calculator for exact figures.

First home buyers purchasing a new home or vacant land in SA pay zero stamp duty — with no value cap. Established homes still attract standard duty. Foreign purchasers pay a 7% surcharge. Here’s how it works, with a worked example and RevenueSA citations.

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Last reviewed: April 2026 · Verify current rates at RevenueSA

Quick Answer

How much stamp duty do first home buyers pay in South Australia in 2026?

First home buyers purchasing a new home or vacant land to build on in SA pay no stamp duty — with no value cap (as extended in the 2023–24 state budget). Established homes still attract standard duty, with no specific FHB concession beyond the $15,000 First Home Owner Grant (for new builds). The foreign ownership surcharge is 7% on top of standard duty. For a $500,000 established home, a non-FHB pays roughly $21,330. Verify with the RevenueSA calculator.

New homes — FHB pays $0 stamp duty (no value cap)
Established homes — standard duty applies (no FHB concession)
7% — foreign ownership surcharge on top of standard duty
$15K — First Home Owner Grant for new builds ≤ $650K

Stamp duty for FHB on any new home (no value cap)

$15K

First Home Owner Grant for new builds up to $650K

Foreign ownership surcharge on residential purchases

How stamp duty works in South Australia

South Australian stamp duty is administered by RevenueSA. Duty is calculated on the purchase price or market value using graduated rate brackets. The buyer pays; the seller pays nothing. Duty must be paid within 2 months of settlement, lodged by your conveyancer via RevenueSA’s online system.

First home buyer new-build stamp duty relief

SA’s 2023–24 state budget abolished stamp duty for first home buyers purchasing a new home or vacant land on which a new home will be built — with no value cap. This makes SA one of the most generous states for FHBs entering through new construction. Eligibility requires principal residence use and standard FHB criteria (no prior property ownership in Australia). Verify current rules at RevenueSA.

Established homes — standard duty applies

Unlike NSW, VIC, QLD and WA, South Australia does not currently offer a general FHB concession on established homes. First home buyers of established properties pay full standard duty. This is why many SA first home buyers favour new builds — the duty saving can be $15K–$30K depending on purchase price.

Foreign ownership surcharge

Non-Australian citizens and non-permanent residents pay an additional 7% foreign ownership surcharge on residential property acquisitions in SA (as at April 2026). Applies on top of standard duty at the same time. Verify at RevenueSA.

Worked example — $500,000 new home vs established

A first home buyer purchasing a $500,000 new home in SA pays $0 stamp duty, plus qualifies for a $15,000 FHOG (for new builds ≤ $650K). Total effective cost saving: ~$36K. The same buyer purchasing a $500,000 established home pays approximately $21,330 in standard duty (no FHB concession available). A non-FHB at $500K pays the same $21,330. A foreign buyer adds $35,000 (7% surcharge) for a total $56,330. Verify with the RevenueSA calculator.

⚠ Rates change — always verify before you rely on these figures

Stamp duty rates, thresholds and surcharges are set by SA state budget decisions and can move between annual budgets. The figures above reflect RevenueSA’s position as at April 2026. Before committing to a purchase, verify current rates at RevenueSA or run the official calculator. This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice.

Common mistakes

Where SA buyers trip up

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Assuming the FHB relief covers established homes

SA’s duty abolition for FHBs applies only to new homes and vacant land for new construction — not established homes. Many FHBs discover at contract stage that their established purchase still attracts full duty.

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Missing the FHOG on a new build

For new builds up to $650K, first home buyers qualify for a $15,000 First Home Owner Grant in addition to the stamp duty relief. It’s a separate scheme and needs its own application — many buyers forget to claim it.

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Not budgeting full duty on established purchase

With no FHB concession on established homes, SA first home buyers budgeting for new-build relief and then switching to established need to find $15K–$30K of additional cash for duty.

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Part-ownership with a foreign partner

If any part-owner is a foreign person, the 7% surcharge applies to their interest. Joint purchase with a foreign partner needs careful structuring and disclosure.

Common questions

South Australia stamp duty FAQ

First home buyers purchasing a new home or vacant land on which a new home will be built pay no stamp duty in SA, with no value cap. Established home purchases still attract standard duty. Verify at RevenueSA.

Foreign purchasers pay an additional 7% foreign ownership surcharge on residential property acquisitions in SA (as at April 2026). Applied on top of standard duty. Verify at RevenueSA.

Yes, SA offers a $15,000 First Home Owner Grant for eligible first home buyers purchasing or building a new home up to $650,000. Separate from the stamp duty relief — both can typically apply to the same purchase.

A $500,000 established home attracts approximately $21,330 in stamp duty using RevenueSA’s graduated brackets. First home buyers receive no specific concession on established homes. Run your scenario through the RevenueSA calculator.

Stamp duty must be paid within 2 months of settlement. Your conveyancer lodges via RevenueSA’s online system. Late payment attracts penalty interest.

Stamp Duty in South Australia — What You’ll Actually Pay

How much stamp duty do first home buyers pay in South Australia in 2026?

⚠ Rates change — always verify before you rely on these figures

Where SA buyers trip up

South Australia stamp duty FAQ

Next steps

Model your exact SA stamp duty with a specialist