What is stamp duty in South Australia?
Stamp duty in South Australia (SA), also known as transfer duty, is a state government tax applied to the sale or transfer of many personal and business-related assets, most commonly real estate.How much is stamp duty in SA?
Stamp duty in South Australia is calculated on a sliding scale based on the property value. Stamp duty costs in SA will vary depending on:
- The property's value
- The type of property you're buying (e.g. residential, primary production land, off-the-plan apartment)
- Your residency status
- Your eligibility for concessions (such as the first-home buyers stamp duty exemption and pensioner concessions)
In June 2024, the SA government abolished stamp duty entirely for first-home buyers who buy or build a new home. There are no property price caps.
General stamp duty rates in South Australia
| Purchase price of property | Stamp duty payable |
|---|---|
$0 - $12,000 | $1 for every $100 or part of $100 |
$12,001 - $30,000 | $120, plus $2.00 for every $100 or part of $100 over $12,000 |
$30,001 - $50,000 | $480, plus $3.00 for every $100 or part of $100 over $30,000 |
$50,001 - $100,000 | $1,080, plus $3.50 for every $100 or part of $100 over $50,000 |
$100,001 - $200,000 | $2,830, plus $4.00 for every $100 or part of $100 over $100,000 |
$200,001 - $250,000 | $6,830, plus $4.25 for every $100 or part of $100 over $200,000 |
$250,001 - $300,000 | $8,955, plus $4.75 for every $100 or part of $100 over $250,000 |
$300,001 - $500,000 | $11,330, plus $5.00 for every $100 or part of $100 over $300,000 |
$500,000+ | $21,330, plus $5.50 for every $100 or part of $100 over $500,000 |
Here’s how the stamp duty calculation in SA works in a nutshell. Suppose you’re buying a property in Adelaide for $600,000, you’ll pay $21,330, plus $5.50 for every $100 or part of $100 over $500,000 — totaling $26,830 in stamp duty. Please note these calculations may change depending on the type of property you’re buying.
$750,000 vs $1,000,000 property stamp duty example calculation in SA
| Property price | Owner-occupier stamp duty | Investment stamp duty |
|---|---|---|
$750,000 | $35,080 | $35,080 |
$1,000,000 | $48,830 | $48,830 |
Who pays stamp duty in South Australia?
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.
Money.com.au’s analysis shows stamp duty can end up costing more than double its original amount once interest is factored in over a typical 30-year mortgage.
Based on the median dwelling value, Adelaide homebuyers face the highest overall cost among Australia's capital cities, with rolling stamp duty into a home loan adding $108,923 once interest is factored in over the loan term. For buyers in the rest of South Australia, financing stamp duty would add $53,207 over time.
How do you pay stamp duty in SA?
Stamp duty can be paid by direct deposit, cheque, credit card, and other major payment options. In most cases, you'll receive a notice from RevenueSA or another finance department delivered to the address of the purchased property or via email. This letter will often contain:
- The amount of stamp duty payable
- Details on the tax and how it was calculated
- Concessions or exemptions included in the calculation
- Payment options
- Payment due date
- Information regarding late payments and associated penalties or charges
- Reference details for the notice and payment
What are the stamp duty exemptions in SA?
South Australia has fewer stamp duty concessions or exemptions than other states and territories. However, there are some typical exemptions, including:
First-home buyer exemption
The SA government has completely abolished stamp duty for first-home buyers who buy or build a new home. Additionally, a $15,000 first-home buyer grant is available in SA to further reduce the cost of buying a home. Property price caps were removed for both the stamp duty exemption and FHOG (First Home Owner Grant).
Transfers between domestic partners
Stamp duty exemptions apply for transfers of primary residence between spouses or former spouses.
Transfers from a deceased estate
Full exemptions apply to transfers of property to a beneficiary, executor or administrator of a deceased estate.
Farming land exemption
Exemptions may apply when transferring primary production land between family members and/or their trustees.
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