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Victorian first-home buyer duty exemption and concession

Pay no or reduced Victorian land transfer duty as an eligible first-home buyer — thresholds, the residency requirement, and what can claw the concession back.

Jurisdiction: Victoria only·Effective from: 1 Jul 2017·Written by: Delora editorial team·Last reviewed: 2026-07-29·Change history
Key points
  • No duty on eligible first homes up to the exemption threshold, and a reduced rate up to the concession ceiling.
  • At least one purchaser must live in the home as their principal residence for 12 continuous months, generally starting within 12 months of settlement.
  • Failing the residency requirement can mean the concession is clawed back.
  • This exemption/concession is separate from the First Home Owner Grant and federal schemes.

Exemption and concession thresholds

Eligible first-home buyers pay no Victorian land transfer duty on a home valued up to $600,000 (State Revenue Office Victoria, verified 29 Jul 2026), and a reduced (concessional) rate on a home valued from that threshold up to $750,000 (State Revenue Office Victoria, verified 29 Jul 2026).

The residency requirement

At least one purchaser must occupy the home as their principal place of residence for 12 continuous months, generally starting within 12 months of settlement (State Revenue Office Victoria, verified 29 Jul 2026). Failing to meet this condition can mean the duty concession is clawed back — this is a common and costly oversight when plans change (a job relocation, a relationship change, or an early resale) after settlement.

Common mistake: assuming eligibility for this duty exemption automatically means eligibility for the First Home Owner Grant or the 5% Deposit Scheme. Each has its own separate rules, and meeting one does not guarantee the others.

Practical checklist

Before relying on this exemption or concession

  • Confirm the property's dutiable value against the current thresholds
  • Check every purchaser meets the first-home buyer eligibility criteria
  • Plan for the 12-month continuous residency requirement before settlement
  • Ask your conveyancer to confirm the exact duty payable at your specific price

Relevant Delora tool

Estimate your buying costs →

Questions for a professional

  • What is my exact duty liability at this purchase price, including the concession?
  • What happens to the concession if my residency plans change after settlement?
  • Do I also qualify for the First Home Owner Grant on this same purchase?

Official resources

Important limitations: Duty thresholds and residency rules can change and may not reflect your specific circumstances (for example, off-the-plan purchases or foreign-purchaser surcharges). Always confirm your exact liability with the SRO calculator or a conveyancer.

Sources and methodology

Figures on this page are drawn from Delora's local knowledge graph, refreshed from these primary sources and checked for changes on a regular schedule. If a figure here looks out of date, the official source above is always the authority — please let us know.

Written by
Delora editorial team
Professional review
Not yet reviewed by a licensed professional — confirm anything material with your conveyancer, broker or accountant
Jurisdiction
Victoria only
Content type
Guide (general education, not financial advice)
Last reviewed
2026-07-29
Sources
See "Further reading" / "Sources" above for cited sources