What selling and buying a home costs in each state: agent commission, transfer duty, first home concessions, foreign buyer rules and capital gains tax.
Selling a home in Australia usually costs the agent's commission plus GST, a marketing campaign, conveyancing and the cost of paying out your mortgage. Buying costs transfer (stamp) duty, which is set by each state and territory, plus conveyancing, inspections and registration fees. On top of that sit the tax rules: the main residence exemption from capital gains tax, the 15% foreign resident capital gains withholding that has applied to every sale since 1 January 2025 unless the seller has a clearance certificate, and the foreign buyer surcharges and ban on buying established homes.
Start with the overview of the cost of selling a house. It links to the guides on agent commission by state, stamp duty by state, first home buyer concessions, the Victorian off-the-plan concession, foreign buyer surcharges, the main residence exemption and foreign resident withholding.
Duty rates, thresholds and concessions change in state budgets, often on 1 July. We give the figures we checked against official sources as at October 2026 and name the source, but always confirm with your state revenue office before you sign a contract.
Costs, Duty and 2026 Rules
When selling your home in Australia is free of CGT, when only part is exempt, the six-year absence rule, foreign resident rules and how selling costs reduce a gain.
Costs, Duty and 2026 Rules
What it costs to sell a home in Australia in 2026, including agent commission, GST, marketing, conveyancing, mortgage discharge, CGT and withholding, with a worked total.
Costs, Duty and 2026 Rules
Current first home buyer duty exemptions and concessions in every Australian state and territory as at October 2026, with thresholds, conditions and worked savings.
Costs, Duty and 2026 Rules
The 2025 ban on foreign persons buying established homes, FIRB approval and fees, state foreign buyer duty surcharges and land tax surcharges, with a worked example.
Costs, Duty and 2026 Rules
Why every Australian property seller needs an ATO clearance certificate since 1 January 2025, how the 15% withholding works, variations for foreign residents and worked examples.
Costs, Duty and 2026 Rules
How agent commission works in each Australian state and territory in 2026, the laws and regulators, agency agreement rules, GST and what to negotiate.
Costs, Duty and 2026 Rules
How transfer (stamp) duty works in each Australian state and territory in 2026, current NSW, Victorian and Queensland rate scales, due dates and surcharges.
Costs, Duty and 2026 Rules
How Victoria's temporary off-the-plan duty concession works for apartments, units and townhouses, its extension to 20 April 2027, eligibility and a worked saving.
