In South Australia, stamp duty is paid by the individual, business or trust that takes ownership of a property, whether they’re buying it or receiving it as a gift. Essentially when ownership of a home or land changes hands, stamp duty will apply unless the new owner qualifies for an exemption or concession
Keep in mind that stamp duty is an upfront cost you need to budget for on top of your deposit, property price, conveyancing and insurance.
Fortunately, most lenders allow you to increase the principal amount of your home loan to account for stamp duty. This will increase your home loan repayments. If you're buying a property with the help of a conveyancer, they may take care of the paperwork and lodge the payment with the revenue office on your behalf.
When is stamp duty in SA payable?
In SA, stamp duty is payable at or before settlement — when the property is legally transferred to your name.