WA Stamp Duty Concessions for First-Home Buyers: 2025 Guide (Explained Simply)

Quick Summary: How Much Stamp Duty First-Home Buyers Pay in WA (2025)

If you’re a first-home buyer in WA, this is the fast snapshot of what you can save on stamp duty in 2025:

*Applies to transactions on or after 21 March 2025. Thresholds differ for Perth/Peel vs regional WA for homes, but vacant land thresholds apply statewide.*

Want your exact number? Contact our team for a personalised WA stamp duty estimate and first-home lending options.

What Is the WA First Home Owner Rate (FHOR)?

The First Home Owner Rate (FHOR) is a reduced (or even nil) stamp duty rate available to eligible first-home buyers in Western Australia. It comes from Sections 141–146 of the Duties Act 2008 (WA).

FHOR is linked to the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG). If you’re eligible or “would have been eligible” for the FHOG, you’ll usually also qualify for FHOR. That means you either pay:

• No stamp duty at all; or
• Discounted concessional transfer duty up to a certain property value

And here’s a key point most buyers miss:

You do not need to build a brand-new home to access FHOR. You may still qualify even if you’re buying an established home in Perth, Peel, Bunbury, Geraldton, Mandurah, etc.

Who Can Qualify for FHOR?

You must:

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or buying with at least one)
• Have never owned residential property in Australia before
• Intend to live in the property as your principal place of residence
• Buy within the WA stamp duty concession price thresholds below

Tip: If you’re not sure whether you qualify for first-home buyer duty concessions in WA, talk to a broker who works with first-home buyers every day. Getting this right can save you tens of thousands of dollars at settlement.

WA First-Home Buyer Stamp Duty Thresholds in 2025

These are the current FHOR thresholds as of March 21, 2025. They determine whether you pay no duty, reduced duty or full duty.

1. Established Homes and New Builds (House & Land Packages)

2. Vacant Land (Statewide)

If your property (or land) value sits entirely below the “no duty” threshold, you pay zero stamp duty.

This is one of the biggest financial boosts available to first-home buyers in WA right now.

Real WA Stamp Duty Examples (2025)

Below are real-world style examples to help you understand how the WA first-home buyer transfer duty concession actually works.

Example 1: Buying a $480,000 Home in Perth (Metro / Peel)

You’ve found your first home in Perth for $480,000.

Because the no-duty threshold for houses in Metro / Peel is $500,000, your entire purchase price is covered.

Result: You pay $0 stamp duty.

That’s an instant saving of roughly $17,000–$20,000 compared to what a non-first-home buyer would pay at full rates.

Example 2: Buying a $600,000 Home in Perth

You’re purchasing a first home in Perth for $600,000. The first $500,000 is duty-free, but the amount above that ($100,000) is charged at the concessional FHOR rate.

The Metro/Peel concessional rate is $13.63 per $100 above $500k.

Calculation:
$100,000 ÷ 100 × $13.63 = $13,630

Result: You pay $13,630 in stamp duty instead of more than $22,000 at normal rates — you’re saving around $8,370 thanks to the first-home buyer concession.

Example 3: Regional WA Home for $680,000

You’re buying in regional WA (for example, Bunbury or Geraldton) for $680,000.

The first $500,000 is covered by the no-duty threshold. The remaining $180,000 is charged at the regional concessional rate of $11.89 per $100.

Calculation:
$180,000 ÷ 100 × $11.89 = $21,402

Result: Your stamp duty payable is $21,402 — a saving of roughly $6,000–$7,000 compared to standard duty rates.

Example 4: Vacant Land in Mandurah for $390,000

You’re purchasing vacant land in Mandurah (Peel region) valued at $390,000.

The no-duty threshold for land is $350,000, with concessions up to $450,000. That means only the $40,000 above $350,000 is taxed.

The concessional rate is $15.39 per $100 over $350k.

Calculation:
$40,000 ÷ 100 × $15.39 = $6,156

Result: You pay $6,156 in stamp duty. A buyer who is NOT a first-home buyer would pay almost double.

Foreign Buyers: Extra WA Duty Still Applies

If any buyer on the contract is considered a foreign person, WA charges a 7% foreign transfer duty surcharge on that person’s share — even if the rest of the purchase qualifies for FHOR first-home concessions.

Example: Mixed Residency Purchase

Kate (Australian citizen) and Simon (foreign buyer) purchase a $400,000 home 50/50.

• Base transfer duty: $0, because the value is under $500k for first-home buyers
• However, Simon still pays a 7% surcharge on his $200,000 share
• 7% of $200,000 = $14,000 in extra foreign buyer duty

Takeaway: If even one applicant is a foreign person, factor in surcharge duty before you sign your offer and acceptance.

How to Apply for the WA First Home Owner Rate (FHOR)

Good news: You don’t have to “wait and hope.” There’s a formal application process. In many cases your broker or settlement agent will handle this for you.

Step-by-Step: Applying for FHOR

1. Complete Form F-FHOG1 (First Home Owner Grant / First Home Owner Rate Application).
2. Submit it through your broker, lender, or via the RevenueWA portal.
3. If you’re eligible, RevenueWA issues a Form FDA7 approval letter.
4. Your settlement agent then lodges the signed contract plus Form FDA7 so the concessional stamp duty is assessed before (or at) settlement.

Already Paid Full Stamp Duty?

If you’ve already paid standard transfer duty but you believe you qualified for first-home buyer concessions, you may be able to claim a refund.

How to request reassessment:

• Apply for reassessment via the RevenueWA online portal
• Attach your contract of sale or land transfer document
• Attach the Certificate of Duty showing what was paid

RevenueWA will reassess and refund any overpaid amount directly to you.

Refund Deadlines

• Homes: You generally have 12 months from settlement to request reassessment.
• Land: You generally have 12 months from when you start living in the completed home OR 3 months after your First Home Owner Grant is paid — whichever is later.

Do not miss this deadline. Once you pass it, the refund window usually closes.

Common First-Home Buyer Mistakes (That Cost You Thousands)

• Missing the 12-month reassessment deadline and losing your refund window
• Applying before your First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) status is confirmed
• Assuming established homes don’t qualify — many do
• Forgetting to disclose a co-buyer who’s a foreign person (triggering extra duty later)

Pro tip: Always get your concessional duty position in writing before signing a contract. Your lender or broker should walk you through this before pre-approval.

What To Do Before You Sign a Contract

Understanding WA’s first-home stamp duty concessions could mean saving tens of thousands at settlement — money you can redirect into your deposit, build upgrades, furniture or emergency buffer.

Before you make an offer or sign a building contract, speak with a Broker360 specialist for:

• Your personalised stamp duty estimate
• Whether you qualify as a first-home buyer under FHOR / FHOG rules
• Which lenders currently work best for WA first-home buyers

Next step: Book a quick first-home review and get your WA stamp duty position confirmed up front.