Everything WA home buyers need to know about transfer duty in 2026: rates, first home buyer exemptions, off-the-plan concessions and smart savings strategies.
Transfer duty — commonly called stamp duty — remains one of the largest upfront costs for Western Australian property buyers in 2026. With Perth's median house price reaching $938,000 for the year ending June 2026, understanding exactly how much duty you'll pay, and which concessions you qualify for, can mean the difference of tens of thousands of dollars at settlement. Whether you're a first home buyer eyeing a property in Perth CBD, an upgrader in Joondalup, or an investor considering Mandurah, this guide covers every scenario.
The WA Government updated its First Home Owner Rate of Duty from 21 March 2025, raising the full exemption threshold to $500,000 and extending concessions to $700,000 for metropolitan Perth and Peel buyers. A further proposed increase — potentially lifting the exemption to $600,000 for contracts from 7 May 2026 — was before parliament at the time of writing; buyers should confirm the current operative threshold with RevenueWA or their conveyancer before signing. Meanwhile, the RBA held the cash rate at 4.35% in June 2026 following three consecutive increases earlier in the year, making upfront cost planning — including duty — more critical than ever for WA buyers managing their borrowing capacity.
This comprehensive guide explains the general transfer duty rate table, first home buyer concessions, the off-the-plan concession, the foreign buyer surcharge, and practical strategies to reduce your duty liability. We also include worked examples for common WA purchase scenarios so you can estimate your costs before you make an offer. Use our stamp duty calculator for a quick personalised estimate, and read on for the full picture.
What is the general transfer duty rate in WA for a $600,000 home? For a standard (non-first-home-buyer) purchase of a $600,000 property, WA transfer duty is approximately $22,515. This falls in the $360,001–$725,000 bracket: a base of $11,115 plus $4.75 per $100 above $360,000. On a $938,000 Perth median-priced home, general duty is approximately $39,027. These are significant upfront costs that must be budgeted alongside your deposit and legal fees.
How much stamp duty does a first home buyer pay in WA in 2026? Eligible first home buyers pay zero transfer duty on homes up to $500,000 anywhere in WA. For metropolitan Perth and Peel purchases between $500,001 and $700,000, a concessional rate of $13.63 per $100 above $500,000 applies — so a $600,000 metro purchase attracts approximately $13,630 in duty, saving $8,885 compared with the general rate. For regional WA purchases, the concession extends to $750,000 at $11.89 per $100 above $500,000, making regional buying even more duty-efficient. Use our borrowing power calculator to see how much you can borrow after accounting for these upfront costs.
What changed with WA stamp duty in 2025–26? The most significant recent change was the updated First Home Owner Rate of Duty effective 21 March 2025, which raised the full exemption threshold from $430,000 to $500,000 and extended the concessional range. A further proposed increase — potentially a $600,000 exemption for contracts from 7 May 2026 — was introduced to parliament but remained subject to approval and RevenueWA system updates at the time of writing. Buyers contracting on or after 7 May 2026 should seek specific confirmation from RevenueWA or their conveyancer about which threshold applies to their transaction.
Is there a stamp duty concession for off-the-plan purchases in WA? Yes — and it's substantial. From 12 March 2026, eligible off-the-plan purchases in multi-tiered strata, single-tier strata (including townhouses and villas) and survey-strata schemes (including duplexes) can receive up to a 100% duty concession for pre-construction contracts on properties valued up to $800,000, capped at $50,000. Under-construction contracts receive a 75% concession. This scheme runs until 30 June 2028 and is designed to stimulate new housing supply. If you're considering an off-the-plan purchase, explore our off-the-plan home loan options and speak with a broker about structuring your finance.
Do foreign buyers pay extra stamp duty in WA? Yes. Foreign purchasers of WA residential property pay an additional 7% surcharge on the dutiable value, on top of ordinary transfer duty. For an $800,000 purchase, this adds $56,000 — bringing total duty to approximately $88,315. Foreign purchasers include individuals who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents, and certain foreign-controlled companies and trusts. All buyers must complete a foreign-buyer declaration regardless of their status.
How does the RBA cash rate affect my stamp duty planning? The RBA held the cash rate at 4.35% in June 2026 after three increases totalling 75 basis points earlier in the year. Higher rates reduce borrowing capacity, which means upfront costs like transfer duty become a larger proportion of your available funds. APRA's 3% serviceability buffer means lenders assess your ability to repay at rates around 7.35% or higher. Careful duty planning — including maximising concessions and timing your purchase — can free up capital for your deposit. See our guide on how much you can borrow and use our repayment calculator to model your monthly costs at current rates from 5.99% p.a.
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| Dutiable Value | General Duty Rate | Indicative Duty on $600K |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $120,000 | $1.90 per $100 | — |
| $120,001 – $150,000 | $2,280 + $2.85 per $100 above $120K | — |
| $150,001 – $360,000 | $3,135 + $3.80 per $100 above $150K | — |
| $360,001 – $725,000 | $11,115 + $4.75 per $100 above $360K | ~$22,515 |
| $725,001 and above | $28,453 + $5.15 per $100 above $725K | — |
| Purchase Type | Full Exemption (Zero Duty) | Concessional Range | Concessional Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home — Metro Perth & Peel | Up to $500,000 | $500,001 – $700,000 | $13.63 per $100 above $500K |
| Home — Regional WA | Up to $500,000 | $500,001 – $750,000 | $11.89 per $100 above $500K |
| Vacant Land — Anywhere in WA | Up to $350,000 | $350,001 – $450,000 | $15.39 per $100 above $350K |
| Scenario | Purchase Price | Buyer Type | Indicative Duty | Saving vs General Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perth metro home — general buyer | $600,000 | Standard | ~$22,515 | — |
| Perth metro home — first home buyer | $600,000 | First home buyer | ~$13,630 | ~$8,885 |
| Regional WA home — first home buyer | $600,000 | First home buyer | ~$11,890 | ~$10,625 |
| Perth home — general buyer | $800,000 | Standard | ~$32,315 | — |
| Off-the-plan (pre-construction) — general buyer | $800,000 | Standard (OTP concession) | $0 (100% concession, capped at $50K) | ~$32,315 |
| Perth home — foreign buyer | $800,000 | Foreign purchaser | ~$88,315 | — |
| Market & Measure | 2026 Data |
|---|---|
| Perth median house price (12 months to June 2026) | $938,000 |
| Perth median unit price (12 months to June 2026) | $675,000 |
| Perth house price growth (FY2025–26) | +16.3% |
| Perth unit price growth (FY2025–26) | +21.8% |
| Albany median house (March 2026 quarter) | $835,000 (+27.5% annual) |
| Bunbury median house (March 2026 quarter) | $777,000 (+18.6% annual) |
| RBA cash rate (June 2026) | 4.35% p.a. |
| Competitive home loan rates from | 5.99% p.a. |
With Perth's median house price at $938,000, most buyers will pay general transfer duty unless they qualify for the first home buyer concession or off-the-plan scheme. Compare current home lending rates to find the most competitive options and factor your duty costs into your overall purchase budget. If you're considering a first home buyer loan, the duty concession can save you up to $27,265 on a $700,000 metro purchase.
Transfer duty is one of the most significant upfront costs in any WA property transaction, but with the right knowledge and planning, you can minimise your liability substantially. First home buyers purchasing under $500,000 pay zero duty, while those buying up to $700,000 in metro Perth benefit from meaningful concessions. The off-the-plan scheme offers even greater savings for new property buyers, and careful suburb and property-type selection can determine whether you fall inside or outside a concession threshold. With Perth's median now at $938,000, understanding these rules is more important than ever — the difference between a concession and the general rate can be $20,000 or more.
The WA property market remains one of Australia's strongest performers, with house prices up 16.3% in FY2025–26 and strong growth in regional centres like Albany and Bunbury. Whether you're buying your first home in Perth CBD, investing in Bunbury, or exploring options in Rockingham, a HomeLending broker can help you navigate duty concessions, structure your loan, and access competitive rates from 5.99% p.a. For further reading, see our related guides on WA first home buyer options and WA property market forecast 2026, and explore our understanding stamp duty guide for a national comparison.
Ready to take the next step? Book a free call with a HomeLending specialist today. Our brokers understand WA's transfer duty rules inside out and can help you structure your purchase to maximise concessions, secure competitive finance, and move confidently in one of Australia's most dynamic property markets.
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