What Is Stamp Duty and When Is It Payable in Victoria?
Stamp duty — officially called land transfer duty in Victoria — is a one-off state tax paid by the purchaser when land or property changes hands. It is administered by the State Revenue Office Victoria (SRO) and is generally payable within 30 days of settlement. Duty is calculated on the dutiable value of the transaction, which is the greater of the purchase price or the property's market value.
How Is Stamp Duty Calculated in Victoria?
Victoria uses a sliding general rate scale for non-principal-place-of-residence purchases, and a lower concessional scale for principal-place-of-residence purchases up to $550,000 (above which the general scale applies). As a guide: a $500,000 general purchase attracts $25,070 in duty, a $1,000,000 purchase attracts $55,000 (flat 5.5% applies from $960,001 to $2,000,000), rising to 6.5% on the value above $2,000,000. These figures were re-verified directly against the SRO's own published rate tables — see sources below — but duty scales can change at any Victorian State Budget, so always confirm with the live SRO calculator before relying on an exact figure.
First Home Buyer Concessions and Exemptions
Full duty exemption for first home buyers on properties valued at $600,000 or less. A sliding-scale concession applies from $600,001 to $750,000, tapering to zero benefit above $750,000. Must live in the home as principal place of residence for at least 12 months within 12 months of settlement.
Family Farm and Young Farmer Concessions
Family farm exemption: full duty exemption on primary production land transferred between relatives (transferor and transferee must be relatives, land must be primary production land for land tax purposes).
Young farmer duty exemption/concession: for a natural person under 35 at contract date, engaged in (or intending to engage in) a primary production business, buying their first farmland property. Full exemption on farmland valued at $600,000 or less; sliding concession from $600,001 to $750,000. Distinct from the family farm exemption.
Family Farm Exemption Checker (Victoria)
A quick indication only — the SRO's actual application process requires a statutory declaration and evidence.
Source: SRO Victoria — family farm exemption (see sources below).
Young Farmer Duty Exemption Checker (Victoria)
A quick indication only — confirm eligibility with the SRO before relying on this.
Source: SRO Victoria — young farmer duty exemption or concession (see sources below).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays stamp duty — the buyer or the seller?
The purchaser (transferee) pays land transfer duty in Victoria.
Can I reduce stamp duty by agreeing a lower price on paper?
No — duty is calculated on the greater of the purchase price or the property's market value.
Where can I get an exact stamp duty figure?
This page provides general information only — use the official SRO land transfer duty calculator, or speak with a conveyancer or solicitor, for a precise figure.
Updated on 2026-07-12 — what changed
Initial publication of this page. General and PPR rate tables verified directly against sro.vic.gov.au as of 12 July 2026.