Conveyancing costs for first home buyers vary across Australia. State governments set their own stamp duty thresholds, concession schemes, and registration fees. Here's what you need to know about costs in each jurisdiction.
New South Wales
NSW offers full stamp duty exemption for first home buyers purchasing properties up to $800,000. Partial concessions apply up to $1,000,000. The First Home Owner Grant provides $10,000 for new homes valued up to $600,000. Title registration costs approximately $150. PEXA settlement is mandatory for most transactions.
Victoria
Victorian first home buyers pay no stamp duty on properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000. The First Home Owner Grant is $10,000 for new homes in metropolitan Melbourne and $20,000 in regional Victoria. Land transfer registration runs around $200. Electronic settlement through PEXA is standard practice.
Queensland
Queensland provides stamp duty concessions for first home buyers on properties up to $700,000 for established homes and $800,000 for new builds. The First Home Owner Grant is $30,000 for new homes, one of the most generous in the country. Title registration fees sit around $200.
Western Australia
WA first home buyers receive stamp duty exemptions on properties up to $430,000, with concessions up to $530,000. The First Home Owner Grant is $10,000 for new homes. Transfer registration costs approximately $180. PEXA is mandatory for residential settlements.
South Australia
South Australian first home buyers enjoy full stamp duty exemption on properties up to $650,000. The First Home Owner Grant is $15,000 for new homes. Registration fees are around $180. Electronic conveyancing via PEXA applies to all residential transactions.
Other Territories and States
Tasmania, ACT, and NT each have their own first home buyer schemes. Concession thresholds and grant amounts differ. We'll provide specific costings for your location when you request a quote.
Why Fixed Fee Conveyancing Matters
Many conveyancers advertise low starting prices, then add fees for contract reviews, phone calls, or "complex matters." Our $1,320 fixed fee covers the complete conveyancing process. Pre-auction contract review? Included. Multiple phone calls with questions? Included. Bank liaison when your lender requests additional documents? Included.
Disbursements are passed through at cost. We don't mark up search fees or add administrative charges. The price we quote is the price you pay.
What Affects Your Total Cost?
Several factors influence your final bill beyond our fixed professional fee. Property type matters. Strata properties require additional searches, typically $100 to $200 extra. Off-the-plan purchases involve longer settlement periods and additional contract complexity, though our professional fee remains the same. Purchase method also plays a role. Auction purchases require pre-auction contract review, which we include in our standard fee. Private treaty sales with cooling-off periods allow more time for due diligence.
Your state determines government charges. Stamp duty savings for first home buyers range from a few thousand dollars to over $30,000 depending on your purchase price and location. We'll calculate your exact position before you commit.
