If you are planning to buy a home, first home or vacant land in Queensland, there is an important change you need to be aware of before you sign anything.

As part of the 2026–27 State Budget, the Queensland Government announced changes to the eligibility criteria for transfer duty home concessions. These changes took effect from 1 August 2026 and could have a significant financial impact on certain buyers.

What Is Transfer Duty and Why Does the Concession Matter?

Transfer duty — sometimes called stamp duty — is a state government tax payable when you purchase property in Queensland. The amount you pay is calculated based on the purchase price of the property. For eligible buyers, home concessions reduce the amount of transfer duty payable, which can result in substantial savings depending on the value of the property being purchased.

What Changed From 1 August 2026?

From 1 August 2026, buyers must meet new eligibility criteria to qualify for a home concession, a first home concession or a concession on vacant land on which they intend to build their first home.

To be eligible, the buyer must be one of the following:

  • An Australian citizen
  • A permanent resident
  • A specified foreign retiree

Who Is No Longer Eligible?

Temporary residents are generally no longer eligible for these home concessions. This is a significant change. Temporary residents purchasing residential property in Queensland are now required to pay transfer duty at the full investment rate — the same rate that applies to investment property purchases — plus the 8% additional foreign acquirer duty (AFAD) that applies to residential land purchases by foreign acquirers in Queensland.

Even if a temporary resident intends to live in the property, it is treated in the same way as an investment purchase for transfer duty purposes — meaning the full higher rate applies rather than the concessional owner-occupier rate. Depending on the purchase price of the property this could represent a considerable additional cost.

Are There Any Exceptions?

Yes. Self-funded foreign retirees who hold certain legacy visas — specifically subclass 405 or subclass 410 — and who are already exempt from AFAD are excluded from these changes and will not be affected.

If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident these changes do not affect your eligibility and you can continue to access home concessions as normal — provided you meet the other qualifying criteria.

What This Means If You Are Planning to Buy

Property purchases are one of the most significant financial decisions most people will make. Understanding your duty obligations and concession eligibility before you exchange contracts can save you thousands of dollars and prevent costly surprises at settlement.

At Reid Legal Group we assist buyers across the Gold Coast and Queensland with conveyancing, property law and navigating exactly these kinds of legislative changes. If you are unsure how the new rules apply to your situation, we are here to help you work through it clearly and confidently.

Book a consultation with our team today.
Reid Legal Group — Gold Coast
reidlegalgroup.com.au

Source: Queensland Revenue Office — State Budget 2026–27 Transfer Duty Concession Eligibility Changes. Effective 1 August 2026.