The ACT uses a different conveyance duty structure that has been progressively reformed over recent years. Canberra's high property prices and strong incomes make it a unique market. The ACT is also phasing out stamp duty entirely over the coming decades, replacing it with broad-based land tax.
Get an exact figure for your purchase price — including first home buyer concessions
Open stamp duty calculator →The ACT Home Buyer Concession Scheme provides a full stamp duty exemption on homes up to $1,020,000 (2025-26) for eligible first home buyers. The threshold is CPI-indexed annually. Income tests apply — check with ACT Revenue Office for current eligibility criteria.
The ACT is the only jurisdiction actively phasing out stamp duty, gradually replacing it with an annual rates-based charge. This long-term reform makes Canberra property transactions increasingly different to other states, particularly for longer-term owners.
| Purchase price | Stamp duty | As % of price |
|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | $10,937 | 2.7% |
| $500,000 | $15,190 | 3.0% |
| $600,000 | $18,252 | 3.0% |
| $700,000 | $23,400 | 3.3% |
| $800,000 | $28,548 | 3.6% |
| $1,000,000 | $37,140 | 3.7% |
| $1,500,000 | $61,281 | 4.1% |
Stamp duty is the largest upfront cost but not the only one. Budget for these additional items on top of your deposit and stamp duty:
Stamp duty on a $700,000 property in Australian Capital Territory is approximately $23,400. Use the calculator above for an exact figure based on your purchase price and buyer status.
The ACT Home Buyer Concession Scheme provides a full stamp duty exemption on properties up to $1,020,000 (2025-26 threshold, CPI-indexed annually). Income tests apply — single applicants must earn under approximately $170,000 and couples under $248,000. There is no First Home Owner Grant in the ACT.
Stamp duty is payable on settlement day — the day you take legal ownership of the property. Your conveyancer will calculate the exact amount and arrange payment as part of the settlement process. You need to have the funds available by settlement.
No — stamp duty cannot be added to your home loan. It must be paid upfront at settlement from your own funds. This is why stamp duty is a critical part of your upfront cost budget alongside your deposit.
For owner-occupiers, stamp duty is not tax deductible. For investment properties, stamp duty forms part of the cost base of the asset and may reduce capital gains tax when you sell, but it is not deductible in the year of purchase. Always confirm with your accountant.