Buyer’s Guide
Stamp duty
South Australia.
The hidden cost that catches almost every buyer off guard. Understand the tiered system, calculate your liability and budget with confidence before you make an offer.
Interactive tool
Calculate your duty
Duty is based on the purchase price or market value, whichever is higher.
Estimated transfer duty
$29,580
Effective rate
4.55%
Total cost
$679,580
The system
Not a flat percentage
Stamp duty in South Australia — officially transfer duty — is a state government tax paid when property ownership changes hands. It is not a flat percentage of the purchase price.
South Australia uses a tiered sliding scale. Each portion of the property value is charged at a different rate, and above $500,000 the marginal rate reaches 5.5% on top of the duty already accumulated in the lower brackets.
RevenueSA applies duty to the purchase price or market value, whichever is higher, which prevents a sale price being understated to reduce tax.
The data
Stamp duty by property price
Total duty payable at key price points across South Australia.
How it works
The bracket system explained
The first $12,000 is charged at roughly one percent. As the price climbs into the hundreds of thousands, the marginal rate rises with it. Above $500,000 the rate becomes 5.5% on the amount over that threshold, in addition to the base amount already accumulated.
Because of that structure, duty on a typical home purchase commonly lands between three and five percent of the total price, depending on value.
Effective rate
The effective rate curve
The overall percentage of your purchase price that goes to stamp duty.
Brackets
Marginal rate by bracket
Each portion of the property value is taxed at a progressively higher rate.
Quick reference
Duty at a glance
| Property price | Stamp duty | Eff. rate |
|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $8,955 | 3.58% |
| $350,000 | $13,830 | 3.95% |
| $450,000 | $18,830 | 4.18% |
| $500,000 | $21,330 | 4.27% |
| $600,000 | $26,830 | 4.47% |
| $750,000 | $35,080 | 4.68% |
| $900,000 | $43,330 | 4.81% |
| $1,000,000 | $48,830 | 4.88% |
| $1,500,000 | $76,330 | 5.09% |
Relief & surcharges
Concessions and exemptions
There are situations where concessions or exemptions apply. Eligible first home buyers purchasing a new home may receive relief, and foreign buyers may face additional surcharges. These rules can materially change the final amount payable.
Proposed reform also matters: a full exemption for eligible downsizers aged 60 and over buying new or off-the-plan homes would remove up to $103,830 of duty on a qualifying purchase.
Know the number before you offer.
Stamp duty is one of the largest upfront costs of buying. Talk to Brittany Sims about what it means for your budget, your timing and your next move.
Estimates use the RevenueSA general transfer duty schedule and are provided as a guide only. They do not constitute financial or legal advice. Confirm final figures with RevenueSA or your conveyancer.