Tasmania levies property transfer duty on most residential purchases at settlement. For 2026-27 the standard rate scale remains unchanged from the prior year, but the first home buyer landscape has shifted materially. A temporary 100% duty exemption on established homes valued at $750,000 or below — available for settlements between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026 — has expired. From 1 July 2026 first home buyers purchasing an established home no longer receive that blanket exemption, narrowing first home buyer support to new home purchases via the First Home Owner Grant and any standard concessions that apply. The foreign investor duty surcharge (FIDS) remains at 8%. On a median-priced Hobart home of approximately $640,000 a non-first-home buyer pays roughly $21,648 in duty. All figures are sourced from the State Revenue Office of Tasmania and are current as at July 2026.
Tasmania Standard Property Transfer Duty Rates 2026-27
Tasmania has one of the lowest stamp duty structures in Australia at the lower end of the price spectrum. The scale opens with a flat $50 duty for properties valued at $3,000 or below. Between $3,001 and $25,000 the duty is $50 plus 1.75% of the amount exceeding $3,000. For the $25,001 to $75,000 bracket the duty is $435 plus 2.25% of the excess over $25,000. Between $75,001 and $200,000 the duty is $1,560 plus 3.5% of the amount exceeding $75,000. The $200,001 to $375,000 band — covering many entry-level and regional homes — attracts $5,935 plus 4% of the excess over $200,000. Between $375,001 and $725,000 the duty is $12,935 plus 4.25% of the amount exceeding $375,000. For properties above $725,000 the duty is $27,810 plus 4.5% of the amount exceeding $725,000.
At a Hobart median of $640,000 the calculation is $12,935 + 4.25% × ($640,000 − $375,000) = $12,935 + $11,262.50 = $24,197.50. Tasmania’s rates are noticeably more affordable than the larger states, reflecting the lower average property values and the state’s policy of keeping transaction costs competitive.
First Home Buyer: Established Home Exemption Expired 30 June 2026
A key change for first home buyers in the 2026-27 financial year is the expiry of the temporary 100% duty exemption on established homes. This exemption, introduced for settlements from 18 February 2024, provided full stamp duty relief for first home buyers purchasing an established home valued at $750,000 or below. The measure was time-limited and applied only to settlements completed on or before 30 June 2026.
For settlements from 1 July 2026 onwards — covering the entire 2026-27 financial year — this exemption has lapsed in its current form. First home buyers purchasing an established home in Tasmania are now subject to the standard transfer duty scale unless a successor scheme is legislated by the Tasmanian Government. As at July 2026 no replacement has been announced.
The practical consequence is significant. A first home buyer who settled on a $600,000 established home in Hobart on 29 June 2026 paid zero transfer duty. The same buyer settling on 2 July 2026 would pay approximately $22,297.50 — a difference of over $22,000 arising purely from the timing of settlement.
First home buyers in the 2026-27 year who are considering an established home should factor the full standard transfer duty into their budget and monitor announcements from the State Revenue Office for any new or reinstated concession measures.
First Home Owner Grant — New Homes
Despite the expiry of the established home duty exemption, first home buyers in Tasmania can still access the First Home Owner Grant of $10,000 for the purchase or construction of a new home. The grant applies to new houses, new apartments, and house-and-land packages where the buyer meets the eligibility criteria.
The FHOG is paid as a cash grant at settlement and can be directed toward the deposit, transfer duty, or other settlement costs. It is typically claimed through an approved agent — usually the lender or conveyancer handling the transaction.
Foreign Investor Duty Surcharge (FIDS)
Tasmania applies a Foreign Investor Duty Surcharge of 8% on residential property purchases by foreign buyers. This surcharge is calculated on the dutiable value and is payable in addition to the standard transfer duty. Foreign buyers are ineligible for any first home buyer concessions or the FHOG.
Tasmania does not currently impose an annual land tax surcharge on foreign owners at the level seen in Victoria or New South Wales, though foreign buyers should verify this with their conveyancer as state revenue policies are subject to change.
Worked Examples
A non-first-home buyer purchasing an established home in Hobart at $640,000 pays approximately $24,197.50 in transfer duty. A first home buyer purchasing the same property in 2026-27 also pays the full $24,197.50 — unlike in 2025-26 when the temporary exemption would have reduced this to zero. A first home buyer purchasing a new home at $640,000 is eligible for the $10,000 FHOG.
A foreign buyer at $640,000 pays the standard duty of $24,197.50 plus the 8% FIDS of $51,200, for a total stamp duty cost of $75,397.50.
A purchaser of a $350,000 entry-level home pays $5,935 + 4% × ($350,000 − $200,000) = $5,935 + $6,000 = $11,935 — Tasmania’s advantage at the lower end of the market is clear compared to the mainland states.
FAQ
Q: Will the established home duty exemption come back in 2026-27? A: As at July 2026 the Tasmanian Government has not announced a replacement for the expired exemption. The State Revenue Office administers duty under the Duties Act 2001 and any legislative change would require a bill to pass through Parliament and receive assent. First home buyers should monitor the SRO Tasmania website for updates and budget their stamp duty on the assumption the full standard rate applies to established homes.
Q: Can I still get the exemption if I signed a contract before 30 June 2026 but settled after? A: The exemption applied based on the date of settlement, not the date of contract. If settlement occurs on or after 1 July 2026 the exemption is no longer available, regardless of when the contract was signed. This is an important distinction — buyers who entered contracts expecting the exemption should urgently discuss timing with their conveyancer.
Q: Does Tasmania have a pensioner stamp duty concession? A: Yes. Eligible pensioners in Tasmania may qualify for a concessional rate of duty on property purchases used as their principal place of residence. The concession provides a reduced rate and is separate from the first home buyer schemes. Contact the State Revenue Office for current eligibility criteria.
Q: Is transfer duty payable on a transfer between family members in Tasmania? A: Tasmania provides exemptions for certain transfers between family members, including transfers between spouses or de facto partners as a result of a relationship breakdown, and transfers to a deceased estate. Transfers between other family members (such as from parent to child) generally attract duty unless a specific exemption applies.
Q: How long after settlement does transfer duty need to be paid? A: Transfer duty is payable within three months of the date of the transfer. However in practice your conveyancer or solicitor will arrange lodgement and payment at or before settlement to ensure the transfer can be registered with the Land Titles Office without delay. Late payment incurs interest at the prescribed rate, currently above 8% per annum.
Sources
- State Revenue Office of Tasmania, Property Transfer Duty, sro.tas.gov.au (current as at July 2026)
- State Revenue Office of Tasmania, First Home Buyer Duty Exemption, sro.tas.gov.au (expired 30 June 2026)
- State Revenue Office of Tasmania, First Home Owner Grant, sro.tas.gov.au (2026-27)
- State Revenue Office of Tasmania, Foreign Investor Duty Surcharge, sro.tas.gov.au
- Duties Act 2001 (Tas), as amended
This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Transfer duty obligations and concessions depend on individual circumstances and are subject to legislative change. Consult the State Revenue Office of Tasmania or a qualified conveyancer before making a purchase decision.