EOFY and Property in WA: What to Know Before 30 June

Published by RG Settlements — property settlement services in Victoria Park, Perth and across Western Australia.

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The end of the financial year is creeping up, and if you’re buying or selling property in Perth you might be wondering whether 30 June is a date you need to worry about. Maybe your settlement is landing right around then, and you’re not sure whether the timing helps you or costs you.

The short answer: for most people, EOFY and property in WA comes down to a few specific things — chiefly land tax, which is worked out based on who owns the land at midnight on 30 June, plus some tax-timing matters worth raising with your accountant. It’s rarely a crisis, but a little awareness can save you money and stress. Here’s what actually matters.

Key takeaways

WA land tax is assessed on the land you own at midnight on 30 June; your principal place of residence is generally exempt.
For an investment property or vacant land, your settlement date around 30 June can affect who carries the next year’s land tax.
At settlement, land tax, council rates and water rates are apportioned between buyer and seller.
Capital gains tax timing is generally tied to the contract date, not the settlement date — a question for your accountant.

Does EOFY really matter for property in WA?

For your everyday home, usually not much. If the property is your principal place of residence (the home you live in), it’s generally exempt from WA land tax, so the 30 June date doesn’t change a great deal for owner-occupiers.

Where EOFY and property in WA start to matter is with investment properties, vacant land, deceased estates, and settlements that happen to fall right around 30 June. That’s where timing can genuinely affect your costs.

The 30 June date that matters most: land tax

Land tax is an annual WA state tax (administered by RevenueWA) on land you own that isn’t your principal place of residence — think investment properties and vacant land. Your own home is generally exempt.

Here’s the key part: land tax is assessed on the land you own at midnight on 30 June, for the following financial year. A few things follow from that:

Your principal place of residence is generally exempt.
Land tax only applies once your total taxable land is valued above the tax-free threshold (currently $300,000), with the holdings you own aggregated — that is, added together.
If you sell land during the year, you can still be liable based on what you owned on the previous 30 June.

If you’re selling

Because ownership is tested at midnight on 30 June, your settlement date can matter. Broadly, if your sale settles on or before 30 June, you’re no longer the owner at that midnight cut-off — which affects who carries the land tax for the next assessment year. If it settles just after, you may still be the owner at 30 June.

We’re not tax advisers, so we won’t tell you to rush or delay a settlement. But if you’re selling an investment property close to 30 June, it’s worth understanding how your settlement date interacts with land tax. We can talk you through the settlement side when we handle your property sale.

If you’re buying

If you’re buying an investment property or vacant land, you’re stepping into the land tax system for that property going forward. At settlement, land tax — along with council rates and water rates — is usually adjusted between buyer and seller so each pays for their share of the period. That’s something we sort out as part of a residential purchase.

Settlement timing around 30 June

EOFY is a busy stretch. A few practical things help:

Book in early. Finance approvals, searches and settlement bookings can take longer when everyone’s trying to settle before 30 June. Giving yourself runway reduces the risk of delays.
Know your adjustments. At settlement, ongoing costs such as council and water rates, strata levies and land tax are apportioned between buyer and seller, so neither pays for time they didn’t own.
Most WA settlements are now electronic. Through PEXA (the online platform used for e-conveyancing), settlements are lodged and completed digitally, which is generally smoother — but it still relies on everyone being ready on time.

Tax matters to raise with your accountant

This is where we hand the baton to your accountant or tax agent, because these are federal tax questions rather than settlement matters. They’re still worth knowing to ask about before 30 June:

Capital gains tax (CGT) timing. For a property sale, the CGT “event” is generally tied to the contract date, not the settlement date. That can affect which financial year a capital gain or loss falls into. If you’re selling an investment, ask your accountant how the timing works for you.
Deductions and depreciation. Investors often review prepaid expenses, repairs and depreciation before EOFY. Your accountant can advise what applies to your situation.

We mention these only so you know what to ask — for advice on your numbers, your accountant is the right person.

What about stamp duty?

Stamp duty (transfer duty) isn’t tied to the financial year, so 30 June doesn’t create a duty deadline. It’s worth knowing, though, that WA’s duty settings for first home buyers and off-the-plan purchases have been changing through 2026, so the amount payable depends on your circumstances and timing. Our stamp duty calculator is a handy place to start for an estimate.

Your quick EOFY property checklist

Owner-occupier in your own home? The 30 June land tax date generally doesn’t affect you.
Selling an investment or land near 30 June? Understand how your settlement date interacts with land tax.
Buying an investment or land? Expect land tax and rates to be adjusted at settlement.
Settling around EOFY? Book early and keep your paperwork moving.
An investor? Line up a chat with your accountant about CGT timing and deductions.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay land tax on my own home in WA? Generally no. Your principal place of residence is usually exempt. Land tax mainly applies to investment properties, vacant land and other non-exempt land you own at midnight on 30 June.

Does settling before 30 June save me money? It depends on your situation. For land tax, ownership is tested at midnight on 30 June, so your settlement date can affect who carries the liability — but it isn’t a blanket “settle early and save.” It’s best to check how it applies to your specific sale or purchase.

Is the CGT date my settlement date? For most property sales, the capital gains tax event is generally linked to the contract date rather than settlement. The detail matters, so confirm with your accountant.

Is a settlement agent the same as an accountant or solicitor? No. A licensed settlement agent (conveyancer) handles the property settlement itself. An accountant advises on tax, and a solicitor provides broader legal advice. For your settlement, we’re the people in your corner — and we’ll point you to the right professional for anything outside that.

Talk to a local team before 30 June

If your settlement is landing near EOFY, or you just want to understand how 30 June affects your purchase or sale, we’re happy to help. We’re a Victoria Park settlement agency who guide Western Australians through this every day, in plain English. Get in touch and we’ll walk you through your situation.

This article is general information only and not legal or financial advice. For advice about your specific situation, please get in touch with our team.

Planning a property settlement in WA? Get a settlement quote from RG Settlements and speak with our Victoria Park team about your purchase, sale or property transfer.