Does this apply to apartments and townhouses?

Yes - any residential property type qualifies as long as it meets the price threshold and residency conditions.

What if my partner has owned property before?

If anyone on the contract has previously owned property in Australia you may not qualify for the full exemption. Check this before assuming eligibility.

Do I claim it myself?

Your conveyancer handles it at settlement. You sign a declaration confirming eligibility - your broker flags what's needed well before that point.

When do I actually pay stamp duty - and when does the exemption get applied?

Stamp duty is due at settlement, not when you sign the contract. If you're eligible for the exemption or concession, your conveyancer applies it automatically as part of the settlement process. You don't need to claim it separately or apply in advance.

What if I've previously owned an investment property overseas?

Owning property outside Australia doesn't automatically disqualify you. The exemption applies to people who haven't owned residential property in Australia before. If your only previous ownership was overseas, you may still be eligible.

Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in Vic

First home buyer mortgage broker in Melbourne

Section Seven Finance helps first home buyers across Melbourne and Victoria understand the schemes available to them and get from pre-approval to settlement.

Victorian first home buyer stamp duty exemption and concession. First home buyers in Victoria pay no stamp duty on homes up to $600,000. Between $600,001 and $750,000 a sliding-scale concession reduces the duty. Above $750,000 standard stamp duty applies.

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) Victoria. A one-off $10,000 grant for buying or building a new home valued up to $750,000. Established homes do not qualify.

5% Deposit Scheme. A federal government guarantee that lets eligible first home buyers purchase with a 5% deposit without paying lenders mortgage insurance (LMI).

Help to Buy shared equity scheme. A federal scheme where the government contributes part of the purchase price in exchange for a share of the home, reducing the deposit and loan you need. You can use the 5% Deposit Scheme or Help to Buy, but not both.

First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS). Lets you save for a deposit inside your super through voluntary contributions, then withdraw them to buy your first home.

Our process covers a free first chat, pre-approval, house hunting, making an offer, unconditional approval and settlement. Book a free chat to find out which first home buyer schemes could apply to you.

General information only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Eligibility criteria, price caps and scheme rules change and should be confirmed before you rely on them.

Under $600,000 - zero stamp duty

If you're buying your first home in Victoria and the purchase price is $600,000 or less, you pay no stamp duty at all. That's a saving of up to $31,070 compared to what a standard buyer would pay on the same property.

The exemption applies to both new and established properties, as long as it's your principal place of residence and you haven't owned property in Australia before.

The concession: $600,001 to $750,000

If your purchase price falls in this range you get a partial concession on a sliding scale. At $600,001 the saving is nearly the full amount. At $700,000 you're paying roughly $26,700. At $750,000 the concession disappears completely. The closer you are to $600,000, the better.

What you need to qualify

All four of these must apply:

- You've never owned residential property in Australia before.

- The property will be your principal place of residence, not an investment.

- You move in within 12 months of settlement.

- You live there for at least 12 continuous months

Can I use this alongside other schemes?

Yes. The stamp duty exemption stacks with the First Home Guarantee (5% deposit, no LMI) and the $10,000 First Home Owner Grant. Used together on a property under $600,000 you're looking at zero stamp duty, a $10,000 cash grant, and only a 5% deposit required — no LMI on top.

Off-the-plan properties

A separate concession applies when buying off the plan. Stamp duty is calculated on the land value only, not the completed property value. This can save significantly on new builds. Contracts signed before 21 October 2026 are eligible — after that date the rules may change.