Western Australia has just delivered its third round of stamp duty relief for first home buyers in three years. The Cook Labor Government's 2026-27 Budget announced on 7 May 2026 significantly raises the thresholds at which WA first home buyers pay transfer duty β or pay none at all.
If you're looking to buy your first home in Western Australia, this guide explains exactly what has changed, how much you could save, and how to use the WA stamp duty calculator to see your numbers in seconds.
What Changed on 7 May 2026?
The WA Government announced a $297 million housing taxation package that lifts the First Home Owner Rate of Duty (FHOR) thresholds for established and newly built homes and for vacant land.
Established and Newly Built Homes
| Before 7 May 2026 | From 7 May 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full exemption (no duty) | Up to $500,000 | Up to $600,000 |
| Concessional rate applies | $500,001 β $700,000 | $600,001 β $800,000 |
| Full duty applies | Over $700,000 | Over $800,000 |
Vacant Land
| Before 7 May 2026 | From 7 May 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full exemption (no duty) | Up to $350,000 | Up to $450,000 |
| Concessional rate applies | $350,001 β $450,000 | $450,001 β $550,000 |
| Full duty applies | Over $450,000 | Over $550,000 |
First Home Owner Grant Cap
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) cap for homes built south of the 26th parallel (covering Perth and most of regional WA) has also been lifted from the previous value to $800,000. This means more buyers building new homes can now access both the FHOG and the FHOR concession without being caught by mismatched thresholds.
How Much Can You Save?
Here's a snapshot of the real dollar savings for a WA first home buyer purchasing an established property:
| Purchase Price | Old Duty Payable | New Duty Payable | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| $550,000 | ~$7,720 (concessional) | $0 (full exemption) | $7,720 |
| $600,000 | ~$12,520 (concessional) | $0 (full exemption) | $12,520 |
| $650,000 | ~$17,640 (full duty) | ~$4,178 (concessional) | $13,462 |
| $750,000 | ~$28,940 (full duty) | ~$14,690 (concessional) | $14,250 |
| $800,000 | ~$34,440 (full duty) | ~$21,315 (concessional) | $13,125 |
Note : Concessional duty applies a reduced sliding rate. Use the WA stamp duty calculator to get an exact figure for your purchase price.
When Do the Changes Take Effect?
The new thresholds apply to contracts entered into on or after 7 May 2026 (the announcement date). However, the legislation needs to pass through Parliament before RevenueWA can process the new rates. This is currently estimated to occur on 28 July 2026.
If you sign a contract between 7 May 2026 and the commencement date, your transaction will initially be assessed under the old rates. After 28 July 2026, you can apply for a reassessment and refund of any overpaid duty.
Who Qualifies for the First Home Owner Rate?
To access the concessional FHOR, you must:
- Be an individual (not a company or trust)
- Be purchasing the property as your principal place of residence
- Never have previously owned residential property in Australia
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Move into the property within 12 months of purchase and live there for at least one year
Other WA Stamp Duty Changes in 2026
Off-the-Plan Duty Concession Extended
On 12 March 2026, the WA Government extended the off-the-plan duty concession until 30 June 2028 (previously due to expire 30 June 2025). The thresholds have also been increased and the concession now covers new dwellings purchased off-the-plan in survey-strata and community titles (land) schemes.
This is significant for buyers looking at apartments and townhouses in new developments, particularly in inner-city Perth suburbs. The concession reduces the amount of duty payable based on the construction stage at time of contract.
Foreign Buyer Build-to-Sell Exemption
A new foreign transfer duty exemption has been created for build-to-sell developments that result in a net addition of at least one new dwelling to the housing supply. This is designed to attract overseas institutional investment in WA housing construction.
How Does WA Compare to Other States?
WA now offers some of the most generous first home buyer stamp duty relief in Australia:
| State | FHB Full Exemption Threshold | FHB Partial Concession To |
|---|---|---|
| WA (from 7 May 2026) | $600,000 | $800,000 |
| NSW | $800,000 | $1,000,000 |
| QLD | $700,000 (new homes: unlimited) | $800,000 |
| VIC | $600,000 | $750,000 |
| SA | $650,000 | $700,000 |
| ACT | $1,020,000 | $1,020,000 |
| TAS | $750,000 | $750,000 |
For a full side-by-side comparison, see our state-by-state stamp duty guide.
WA Standard Transfer Duty Rates (Non-FHB)
For buyers who don't qualify for the first home owner concession, Western Australia's standard transfer duty rates apply:
| Dutiable Value | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 β $120,000 | 1.90% |
| $120,001 β $150,000 | $2,280 + 2.85% over $120,000 |
| $150,001 β $360,000 | $3,135 + 3.80% over $150,000 |
| $360,001 β $725,000 | $11,115 + 5.15% over $360,000 |
| Over $725,000 | $29,915 + 5.15% over $725,000 |
Check Your WA Stamp Duty Instantly
Not sure how much you'll pay? Use the free WA stamp duty calculator to get an instant estimate based on your property price, buyer type (first home or standard), and whether you're an overseas buyer.
The calculator is updated to reflect the new 2026 thresholds for transactions entered into on or after 7 May 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I signed a contract in April 2026. Do I get the new thresholds? No. The new thresholds apply to contracts entered into on or after 7 May 2026 only. Contracts signed before this date are assessed under the previous rates. Q: Can I get both the First Home Owner Grant and the FHOR concession? Yes, if you meet the eligibility requirements for both, you can access the FHOG cash payment and the FHOR concessional duty rate simultaneously. Q: What if I buy vacant land to build on? Vacant land has its own threshold table: no duty under $450,000, concessional rate from $450,001 to $550,000. Note the FHOG for new homes (not land purchases) applies separately. Q: I'm a foreign buyer β can I still get the FHOR concession? No. Foreign persons are not eligible for the first home owner rate of duty, and additionally pay the 7% foreign buyer surcharge on the dutiable value. Q: When will the new rates be officially implemented? Legislation is expected to pass and the new system to go live around 28 July 2026. Between 7 May and that date, transactions will be reassessed automatically once the system is updated.Information current as at June 2026. Stamp duty laws can change β always verify current rates with RevenueWA or consult a licensed conveyancer or solicitor before making property decisions. Calculate your exact WA stamp duty β stampdutycheck.com/au/wa