First Home Buyer Guide

Which Queensland duty concession applies

Transfer duty is a state charge on a property transaction. Queensland provides different concessions for established first homes, new first homes and vacant residential land. A grant or federal guarantee does not automatically qualify you for a duty concession.

Last reviewed: 6 September 2026. Grant amounts, eligibility rules, and thresholds are set by the relevant government body and subject to change. Always verify current conditions at the Queensland Revenue Office, Home Concessions before making a financial decision.

Established first homes

The first home concession applies below $800,000. Eligible residential purchases at $700,000 or less can have no duty; relief reduces above that level. Other concessions may apply at higher values. Ask your conveyancer to calculate your transaction, including any non-residential land.

New first homes

For eligible contracts from 1 May 2025, the first home (new home) concession gives full relief on the home and its residential land, with no value cap. Additional non-residential land can still attract duty. The home must meet the new-home definition and be acquired at market value; other conditions apply.

Vacant land for your first home

For eligible transactions from 1 May 2025, the residential vacant-land concession has no value cap. Additional non-residential land can attract duty. Separate construction and occupancy conditions apply; check those before buying land.

Who qualifies?

Eligibility is assessed for each buyer’s share. A co-buyer who does not qualify does not automatically remove your own concession.

Generally, you must be an individual aged 18 or over, with no previous interest in a residence anywhere in the world and no prior first home vacant-land concession. Specific exceptions require QRO advice.
For transactions from 1 August 2026, the relevant buyer must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or specified foreign retiree.
Use the criteria for the particular concession, including market-value and property-use conditions. Do not substitute the FHOG spouse test.

Occupancy and disposal

For home purchases, move in within 1 year of settlement. Selling, transferring or granting possession before moving in can remove relief. Selling or letting the whole property during the following year can also trigger reassessment. Renting part while you remain living there can be permitted under current rules. Existing tenancies and vacant-land purchases have additional conditions; ask your conveyancer before changing use.

Claiming and payment

Ask your conveyancer or solicitor to identify the concession, lodge the claim and explain the payment deadline for your transaction. Do not assume settlement is the only relevant deadline. Use QRO’s estimator for an indication, then confirm the calculation before committing.

Frequently asked questions

Does an ineligible partner make me ineligible?

Not automatically. QRO can apply different concessions to different buyers’ shares. Your conveyancer should calculate the combined duty.

Is the grant’s six-month residence rule enough?

No. The grant and duty concessions have separate occupancy and disposal rules. Check both if you claim both benefits.

Does a new home always mean no duty?

No. The contract date, applicant eligibility, property definition, market-value requirement and land use all matter.

Can I combine this with the federal deposit scheme?

Check each program independently. Approval for a lender guarantee does not confirm entitlement to a state duty concession.