QLD Transfer Duty Changes For Temporary Residents 

QLD Transfer Duty Changes For Temporary Residents 

As part of the 2026–27 State Budget, the Queensland Government has announced changes to the eligibility for transfer duty home concessions. 

From 1 August 2026, temporary residents generally no longer qualify for transfer duty (stamp duty) home concessions. To qualify, a buyer must generally be one of the following:   

• An Australian citizen; 
• A permanent resident; or 
• A specified foreign retiree. 

If you are a temporary resident looking to buy a home in Queensland, you may face increased upfront costs.

What has changed?

Before 1 August 2026, temporary residents could typically qualify for Queensland’s home transfer duty concessions, provided they met other eligibility criteria.  

Now, for transactions entered into from 1 August 2026, concessions will not typically apply to temporary residents.  

Note: The date you enter the transaction is what is looked at, not the settlement date.  

These changes don’t apply to you if you sign a contract before 1 August 2026, but settle after 1 August 2026, as you’ve entered the transaction before 1 August 2026. 

Quick FAQs 

What is transfer duty? 

Transfer duty, typically referred to as stamp duty, is a state tax that you may need to pay when you acquire property. 

The amount differs depending on the state the property is being purchased in, the value of the property, what you intend to use it for, and whether you are eligible for a concession

What is a transfer duty concession? 

If you meet relevant requirements, the transfer duty concession  reduces the transfer duty amount you pay when puchasing a property.

Each state government provides concessions to certain purchasers they want to support, such as first home buyers. 

What is a temporary resident? 

In general, a temporary resident is someone living in Australia on a temporary visa, as opposed to an Australian citizen or permanent resident.   

This could be someone here for:

• Several years on a temporary skilled work visa. 
• Three or five years at a time on a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa, with a maximum cumulative stay of 10 years. 
• Potentially many years overall if they move between eligible temporary visas. 

You could still qualify as a temporary resident even after living and working in Australia for several years if you haven’t been granted permanent residency.

Which home concessions are affected? 

The new eligibility requirements apply to Queensland’s: 

Home concession.

This concession may reduce the transfer duty payable when you purchase a property, intending to live in it as your home. You do not necessarily need to be a first-home buyer.  

First home concession.

This provides additional transfer duty relief for eligible people purchasing their first home. 

First home (new home) concession.

With this, eligible first-home buyers purchasing a new home may receive a full transfer duty concession, removing entirely the transfer duty payable on the qualifying residential property.  

First home vacant land concession.

Eligible first-home buyers purchasing vacant land on which they plan to build their first home may receive a full transfer duty concession on qualifying residential vacant land. 

What could the change mean for temporary residents? 

It’s important to be across these changes, as paying a high transfer duty can significantly impact the cost of purchasing a home, and can affect affordability, budgeting costs, and the timing of your purchase.

What about foreign purchaser surchargers?

Queensland AFAD rules generally treat temporary residents as foreign persons, although the terms have different legal meanings and aren’t interchangeable.

Foreign acquirers purchasing certain residential land in Queensland can be subject to Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty (AFAD). AFAD is an additional 8% duty that applies on top of ordinary transfer duty where the relevant requirements are met. 

This means a temporary resident purchasing Queensland residential property may not only lose access to a home concession but may also be liable for AFAD, depending on their circumstances. 

With ongoing debate on foreign purchaser surcharges, it’s important to seek advice about the rules that apply to your circumstances.  

Planning to buy property in Queensland? 

For temporary residents looking to purchase property in Queensland, understanding your transfer duty position before entering into a contract is critical.  

Your Aintree Group adviser can help you to accurately assess the true cost of your purchase, identifying what your obligations will be and setting a plan in place for how these can be navigated.  

We have property law specialists, financial planners and accountants in our team who are experienced in these areas.  

Before committing to a transaction, get in touch with your Aintree Group adviser to explore how these changes affect you.   

This is general advice only and has not been prepared with your individual situation or needs in mind. For personalised advice, we highly recommend that you seek professional guidance from a qualified adviser.