---
title: "Stamp Duty Western Australia 2026 — First Home Buyer Relief"
description: "WA stamp duty rates, first home buyer exemptions up to $500,000, and how to save $15K-$30K by building instead of buying."
source: HomeBuildBudget
sourceUrl: https://homebuildbudget.com/guides/stamp-duty-wa
lastUpdated: 2026-06-16
citationUrl: https://homebuildbudget.com/guides/stamp-duty-wa
---

# Stamp Duty Western Australia 2026 — First Home Buyer Relief

WA stamp duty rates, first home buyer exemptions up to $500,000, and how to save $15K-$30K by building instead of buying.

WA stamp duty rates, first home buyer exemptions up to $500,000, and how to save $15K-$30K by building instead of buying.

Quick answer: WA stamp duty on a $500,000 property is approximately $17,765. First home buyers pay zero stamp duty on homes up to $500,000 (metro/Peel and regional), with concessional rates up to $700,000 metro or $750,000 regional. Vacant land is exempt up to $350,000. Building instead of buying saves $15,000–$30,000+ because you only pay duty on the land, not construction. WA also has no foreign buyer surcharge. Updated April 2026 based on Department of Finance WA data.

“Western Australia is one of the few states with no foreign buyer stamp duty surcharge — that alone makes it attractive. For first home buyers, the $500,000 exemption threshold plus the $10,000 FHOG means building a new home in Perth’s outer suburbs can save you close to $28,000 upfront.”
— Emma Whitfield, Property Finance Analyst at BuildBudget

For Vacant Land (For Building):

Not complicated, but you need to get the paperwork right.

### Standard Rates (Not First Home Buyer)

### Who Qualifies for First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Relief?

## How Much Do You Save By Building Instead of Buying?

### Example 2: First Home Buyer in Ellenbrook

### Example 3: Upgrader in Cottesloe (Not First Home Buyer)

### See your WA stamp duty savings

## How It Works

### The Two-Contract Rule

## How Much Stamp Duty Will You Pay in WA?

## What Are the Off-the-Plan Concessions (Until 30 June 2026)?

## When Is Stamp Duty Due in WA?

## Do Foreign Buyers Pay More Stamp Duty in WA?

### Do I pay stamp duty on the construction cost?

### Can I get both the stamp duty exemption and the FHOG?

### What about the off-the-plan concession for houses?

## Key Points

- $500,000 property: $17,765
- $750,000 property: ~$29,740
- $1,000,000 property: ~$42,616
- Up to $17,765 saved on a $500,000 property (full exemption)
- Up to $11,115 saved on $350,000 land (full exemption)
- Buy the land first — you pay stamp duty on the land value only
- Sign a building contract separately — the building contract is NOT subject to stamp duty
- You need one contract for the land purchase
- You need a separate building contract with your builder
- The land settlement has to happen before construction starts (or at least, land and build are contracted separately)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Who Qualifies for First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Relief?

For Homes (New or Established):

### What Are the Off-the-Plan Concessions (Until 30 June 2026)?

Buying an apartment, townhouse, or villa off-the-plan? Western Australia offers massive stamp duty relief until 30 June 2026.

### Can I get both the stamp duty exemption and the FHOG?

Yes, and this is where first home buyers really come out ahead. You can stack both:

### What about the off-the-plan concession for houses?

The off-the-plan concession is designed for apartments, townhouses, and villas bought before completion. If you’re building a standalone house, you don’t need it — the two-contract approach (separate land purchase + separate build contract) already saves you stamp duty on the construction cost.

### How does WA compare to other states?

Stamp duty exemption thresholds for first home buyers:

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*Source: [HomeBuildBudget](https://homebuildbudget.com/guides/stamp-duty-wa)*