Stamp duty & first home buyer help in Australian Capital Territory
What you’ll pay in transfer duty in ACT in 2026–27, the first home buyer concessions and grants available, and how to work out your own figure.
How stamp duty works in ACT
In the ACT, stamp duty is called conveyance duty and is collected by the ACT Revenue Office. It is based on the purchase price or market value of the property. The ACT has been gradually phasing out conveyance duty in favour of general rates, and owner-occupiers already pay lower duty rates than investors, so your costs depend on how you plan to use the property.
The ACT no longer pays a First Home Owner Grant, as those payments ceased on 1 July 2019. Instead, the Home Buyer Concession Scheme means eligible buyers pay no conveyance duty from 1 July 2026, with no price or income cap. You must not have owned property in the last five years and must live in the home. A specialist broker from our partner network can help you confirm your eligibility.
First home buyers in ACT
- Home Buyer Concession Scheme: no conveyance duty for eligible buyers from 1 July 2026.
- No property price cap and no income cap apply under the scheme from 1 July 2026.
- You must not have owned property in the last five years and must live in the home.
- The scheme covers homes and residential land, so it can help if you plan to build.
- There is no First Home Owner Grant in the ACT. Grant payments ceased on 1 July 2019.
- The national 5% Deposit Scheme (First Home Guarantee) has had no income caps or place limits since 1 October 2025.
Stamp duty in ACT at a glance
Estimated transfer duty at common purchase prices. First home buyer columns assume you meet every eligibility rule.
| Price | Owner-occupier | Investor | First home buyer (established) | First home buyer (new home) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 home | $8,408 | $11,400 | Nil | Nil |
| $650,000 home | $14,888 | $17,880 | Nil | Nil |
| $800,000 home | $22,158 | $25,150 | Nil | Nil |
| $1,000,000 home | $33,958 | $36,950 | Nil | Nil |
| $1,500,000 home | $68,100 | $68,100 | Nil | Nil |
Estimates only, based on general rates checked 2 October 2026. Excludes foreign buyer surcharges, land tax, registration fees and other concessions. Always confirm with the ACT Revenue Office calculator.
Home Buyer Concession Scheme (no First Home Owner Grant): Nil conveyance duty
The ACT stopped paying the First Home Owner Grant on 1 July 2019. Its main help is the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, which from 1 July 2026 means eligible buyers pay no conveyance duty, with no price or income cap.
Also worth knowing
- Eligible applicants may be able to defer duty payments under ACT Revenue Office arrangements. Check the ACT Revenue Office site for current details.
- The national 5% Deposit Scheme can help you buy sooner with no lenders mortgage insurance.
Stamp duty in ACT: common questions
Is there a First Home Owner Grant in the ACT?
No. First Home Owner Grant payments ceased in the ACT on 1 July 2019. The ACT now supports buyers through the Home Buyer Concession Scheme instead.
Do I need to be a first home buyer for the ACT Home Buyer Concession Scheme?
Not strictly. The scheme is open to buyers who have not owned property in the last five years and who will live in the home. From 1 July 2026 eligible buyers pay no conveyance duty.
Is there a price or income cap on the ACT concession?
From 1 July 2026 there is no price cap and no income cap on the Home Buyer Concession Scheme. A specialist broker from our partner network can help you check the other eligibility rules before you buy.
Sources
Government sources used for this page. Rules change, especially on 1 July, so check them before you sign a contract.
Other states
Buying your first home?
A specialist mortgage broker from our partner network can check your eligibility for grants, concessions and the 5% Deposit Scheme.