Stamp Duty on $500,000 ACT 2026 — $0 for First Home Buyers (Save $10,880)

30-SECOND ANSWER

For a $500,000 property in Australian Capital Territory, the standard 2026 transfer duty is $10,880. Eligible first home buyers pay $0 — a saving of $10,880. Scheme: Home Buyer Concession Scheme — raised from $607,500 on 1 July 2025. Max concession 2025-26: $35,238..

First home buyer exemption status

ACT FHB exemption rules in 2026:

Full exemption: properties up to $1,020,000
Tapered concession: $1,020,000 – $1,455,000
Above $1,455,000: standard rates apply, no FHB relief
Note: Home Buyer Concession Scheme — raised from $607,500 on 1 July 2025. Max concession 2025-26: $35,238.

For your $500,000 purchase: Full FHB exemption — price under ACT threshold of $1,020,000.

Breakdown by buyer type (at $500,000)

Standard buyer (non-FHB)	$10,880
First home buyer — established home	$0 (save $10,880)
First home buyer — new build	$0 (save $10,880)

$500,000 stamp duty by state — full comparison

State	Standard	FHB (established)	FHB (new build)
NSW	$17,031	$0	$0
VIC	$21,970	$0	$0
QLD	$15,925	$0	$0
WA	$17,765	$0	$0
SA	$21,330	$0	$0
TAS	$18,248	$0	$0
ACT	$10,880	$0	$0
NT	$23,929	$23,929	$0

Calculated from 2026 state revenue tiered formulas. Excludes foreign-buyer surcharge and absentee-owner levies. For an interactive calculator with all options, use the stamp duty calculator.

FAQs about stamp duty on $500,000 in ACT

How much is stamp duty on a $500,000 property in Australian Capital Territory in 2026?#

For a $500,000 property in Australian Capital Territory, the standard transfer duty in 2026 is $10,880. Eligible first home buyers pay $0 (full exemption). The ACT full FHB exemption threshold is $1,020,000 with a tapered concession up to $1,455,000.

Do I pay stamp duty in Australian Capital Territory as a first home buyer?#

For a $500,000 property, no — you qualify for the full exemption. Home Buyer Concession Scheme — raised from $607,500 on 1 July 2025. Max concession 2025-26: $35,238.

When is stamp duty paid on a $500,000 Australian Capital Territory purchase?#

Stamp duty in Australian Capital Territory is generally payable at or shortly after settlement. Your conveyancer or solicitor arranges the payment from your settlement funds, so you do not need to transfer it separately — but you do need to budget for it alongside your deposit.

Can I add stamp duty to my home loan?#

Stamp duty is not typically rolled into the loan amount — it sits alongside your deposit as part of your "cash-to-close". For a $500,000 property in Australian Capital Territory, the standard stamp duty of $10,880 would need to be paid from cash savings, gift, or in some cases a separate personal loan. First home buyer exemptions remove this requirement at lower price points.