Worried the off-the-plan stamp duty concession in WA is about to disappear on 30 June, and that you’ve missed your chance? Take a breath — there’s good news.
The short answer: the off-the-plan stamp duty concession WA buyers have been using was previously due to end on 30 June 2026, but the State Government has announced it will be extended to 30 June 2028 — and made more generous. So rather than racing a deadline, the real job right now is making sure you’re set up to claim the benefit correctly. Here’s what’s changed and what to do.
Key takeaways
No. You may have seen older information saying the concession finishes on 30 June 2026 — that was the previous end date. In March 2026, the Government announced it would extend the scheme by two years, to 30 June 2028, as part of its push to support new housing.
In plain English, “off-the-plan” means buying a dwelling — such as an apartment, townhouse, villa or unit — before it’s built, or while it’s still under construction. The concession reduces the transfer duty (the stamp duty you pay when property changes hands) on that purchase.
Alongside pushing back the end date, the Government announced two upgrades that apply to contracts entered into on or after 12 March 2026:
The upshot: more Perth buyers, and more types of new home, can now access a meaningful saving on duty.
Here’s the nuance that trips people up. The extension and the expanded rules were announced, but they can’t legally take effect until Parliament passes the law and RevenueWA updates its systems. That’s currently expected around the middle of 2026.
What that means for you if you’re buying off-the-plan right now:
So you don’t lose out by buying now — but you do want your paperwork in order so a reassessment and refund go through smoothly. That’s something we handle as a matter of course during a residential purchase settlement.
A short checklist:
Is the WA off-the-plan concession really not ending on 30 June? Correct. It was previously due to end on 30 June 2026, but the Government has announced an extension to 30 June 2028, along with expanded eligibility and higher value thresholds.
Do I need to settle before a certain date to get the concession? It’s tied to when you enter your contract and whether you meet the eligibility rules — not a settlement-date race. If the expanded rules haven’t commenced by the time you settle, your transaction can be reassessed for a refund afterwards.
What types of property does the concession cover? New dwellings bought off-the-plan or while under construction — apartments, townhouses, villas and units — including, under the 2026 changes, certain survey-strata dwellings that were previously excluded.
Is a settlement agent the same as a solicitor? Not quite. A licensed settlement agent (conveyancer) is qualified to handle your property settlement, including the duty side of things. A solicitor can also do this and give broader legal advice. For most off-the-plan purchases, a settlement agent is who you’d work with.
Off-the-plan purchases come with their own timing quirks, and the 2026 changes add a layer to think about. If you’d like a local hand making sure your concession is claimed correctly — now, or after the new rules commence — we’re a Victoria Park team who do this every day. Learn more about how we handle a residential purchase, or get in touch for a friendly, plain-English chat.
Buying your first home in Perth and worried stamp duty is going to swallow your savings? You’ve probably seen the headlines about the WA stamp duty changes 2026 and wondered what they actually mean for you — and whether you should buy now or hold off. Let’s clear it up.
The short answer: in the May 2026 State Budget, the WA Government announced bigger stamp duty breaks for first home buyers. The price at which you pay no duty has gone up, and more buyers will now qualify for a concession (a reduced rate). But — and this part matters — the new thresholds aren’t switched on just yet. Here’s exactly what’s changed, when it starts, and how to make sure you don’t miss out.
Key takeaways
Stamp duty (officially “transfer duty” — the state tax you pay when a property changes hands) has become more generous for first home buyers. The Government has lifted the price thresholds for the First Home Owner Rate of duty, which is the concession that lets eligible first home buyers pay reduced or no duty.
Here’s the before and after:
| First home buyer | Old threshold | New (announced) |
|---|---|---|
| Home — no duty up to | $500,000 | $600,000 |
| Home — concession up to | $700,000 | $800,000 |
| Vacant land — no duty up to | $350,000 | $450,000 |
| Vacant land — concession up to | $450,000 | $550,000 |
So if you’re an eligible first home buyer purchasing a home up to $600,000, you’d pay no transfer duty at all — and homes priced between $600,000 and $800,000 attract a reduced rate rather than the full amount.
There are also two helpful changes to the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG), the grant available when you build or buy a brand-new home:
This is the part worth slowing down for. The changes were announced in the Budget and apply to contracts entered into on or after 7 May 2026 — but they can’t legally take effect until Parliament passes the law and RevenueWA updates its systems. That’s currently estimated for 28 July 2026.
What does that mean in practice? If you sign a contract before the changes commence, your settlement will initially be assessed at the *old* thresholds. You don’t lose the benefit, though — once the new law commences, eligible transactions can be reassessed and any overpaid duty refunded.
So you don’t necessarily need to delay your purchase to benefit. If you’re buying now, your settlement agent can make sure your transaction is set up for a reassessment and refund once the changes are in force. This is exactly the kind of detail we keep an eye on for our clients during a residential purchase.
A couple of other 2026 changes are worth knowing if they apply to you:
A simple way to think about it:
Do the new WA stamp duty thresholds apply to me right now?
Not automatically. They apply to contracts entered into from 7 May 2026, but the law is estimated to commence on 28 July 2026. Contracts signed before commencement are assessed at the old rates first, then can be reassessed for a refund once the changes are in force.
Does the stamp duty concession only apply to brand-new homes?
No. Eligible first home buyers can access the First Home Owner Rate of duty on established homes as well as new builds, provided the price is within the relevant threshold.
Who pays the stamp duty, and when?
The buyer pays transfer duty, and it must be paid before the transfer of land can be registered. Your settlement agent or licensed conveyancer usually handles this for you as part of settlement.
Is a settlement agent the same as a solicitor?
Not quite. A licensed settlement agent (conveyancer) is qualified to handle your property settlement and the duty process. A solicitor can also do this and offer broader legal advice. For a standard residential settlement, a settlement agent is who you’d typically work with.
Property settlement is stressful enough without decoding tax changes on your own. If you’d like a hand understanding how the WA stamp duty changes 2026 affect your purchase — or a rough estimate of your costs — try our stamp duty calculator or get in touch with our team. We’re a local Victoria Park agency, and we’ll walk you through it in plain English, or Arabic if that’s what you speak.
As a property settlement agent, I have seen many cases of fraud and legal issues arise when property transfers are not handled properly. The recent court ruling on the Gold Coast mortgage fraud case serves as a reminder of the importance of hiring the right property settlement agent.
When buying or selling a property, it’s important to have a trusted and experienced property settlement agent to handle the legal aspects of the transaction. A reliable agent will ensure that all the necessary checks and balances are in place to prevent fraud and protect your interests.
At Rothschild Group, we understand the complexities of property transfers and have a team of expert conveyancers who are well-versed in Western Australia’s property laws. We offer a comprehensive range of property settlement services for both residential and commercial properties and provide personalized guidance to our clients throughout the entire process.
With Rothschild Group as your property settlement agent, you can rest assured that your transaction will be handled professionally and efficiently. We will conduct thorough title searches, review contracts, and ensure that all the necessary legal requirements are met to protect your investment.
Don’t take any chances when it comes to your property transfer. Hire Rothschild Group as your trusted property settlement agent and let us handle the legal aspects for you. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can assist you with your property transfer needs.