Through property professionals working across Australia, our team brings local market knowledge, comprehensive market research and expert property advice to every valuation.
Stamp duty is the duty or tax charged by state governments and territories for certain types of dutiable transactions including property. The laws and charges vary between states and territories.
Generally, if a property is purchased the tax is paid by the purchaser of the asset on transfer. For this reason stamp duty is sometimes referred to as transfer duty. This is payable to the State Revenue Office. Stamp duty can be levied on the sale or transfer of a range of assets including residential property or business assets.
Stamp duty exists to generate government revenue and to ensure that property transactions (especially those involving related parties or legal structures) are taxed fairly according to the unencumbered value of the property.
A stamp duty assessment is used to work out how much stamp duty should be paid on a property transfer. It’s often needed when the price being paid doesn’t reflect what the property is actually worth. For example, when it’s being transferred between family members, into a trust, or as part of a gift.
In these situations, a formal valuation is required to confirm the property’s fair market value. This helps the State Revenue Office make sure the right amount of duty is paid.
At Acumentis, our stamp duty valuation reports follow national standards set by the Australian Property Institute and reflect what the property would sell for in a normal, open market.
These valuations are supported by fair market value calculations, which take into account comparable property sales, location factors, and the condition of the asset — all to ensure your assessment is accurate and defensible.
In many cases, stamp duty is based on the contract price of a residential or commercial property. But when the transaction isn’t a standard sale — such as when the property is transferred between related parties, into a superannuation fund, trust, or legal entity — a formal property valuation for stamp duty purposes may be required.
These types of dutiable transactions can occur for a range of reasons, including gifting, estate settlement, capital gains tax planning, business-related restructuring, or even the transfer of an easement or lease. In these cases, the value of the property may not be obvious, and the amount of stamp duty you pay depends on its fair market value, not just the price stated in a contract.
A certified valuation confirms the property’s unencumbered value (its full value without any debts or conditions attached) and helps show that the transfer was made on an arm’s length basis, meaning it was fair and independent, just like a normal sale between unrelated parties.
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Over 300 qualified valuers and property experts located across 40 offices throughout Australia. This means you can be confident of their local knowledge of relevant stamp duty laws in your state.
Our team of certified property valuers are accredited by the Australian Property Institute and have extensive experience in delivering accurate, compliant stamp duty valuation reports for residential, commercial, and business assets in all states and territories.
Your assessment reports are provided with speed and accuracy to meet your specific requirements.
You need a stamp duty valuation to make sure you’re paying the correct amount of stamp duty based on the fair market value of the property at the time of the transaction. This is especially important when the purchase price doesn’t reflect the market value, such as in transfers between related parties, legal entities, or family trusts. In short, it helps you avoid overpaying or underpaying stamp duty.
This refers to the value used to determine the amount of stamp duty payable. For standard purchases, it may be the purchase price. However, for transfers between related parties or legal entities, the unencumbered value (or fair market value) must be established via a formal valuation.
Stamp duty is calculated based on the dutiable value of the property, which is often the higher of the purchase price or the property’s market value. The specific amount of stamp duty you’ll pay depends on your state or territory’s legislation and whether the transaction is considered arm’s length.
The purchase price is the amount agreed upon between buyer and seller. The fair market value is the estimate of what the property would sell for on the open market between unrelated parties acting at arm’s length. Stamp duty is calculated using whichever is higher.
Yes, stamp duty (also known as transfer duty) varies significantly across Australia's states and territories. Each jurisdiction sets its own rates, thresholds, exemptions, and surcharges, which can substantially impact the amount payable on a property transaction.
Here's an overview of the structure of stamp duty by state as of 2025:
Stamp Duty Valuation NSW
Stamp Duty Valuation Victoria (VIC)
Stamp Duty Valuation Queensland (QLD)
Stamp Duty Valuation Western Australia (WA)
Stamp Duty Valuation South Australia (SA)
Stamp Duty Valuation Tasmania (TAS)
Stamp Duty Valuation Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Stamp Duty Valuation Northern Territory (NT)
Note: Stamp duty calculations are typically based on the higher of the property's purchase price or its unencumbered market value. It's essential to consult with a qualified property valuer to obtain an accurate stamp duty valuation report, especially in transactions involving related parties or non-standard conditions.
For precise calculations and to explore potential exemptions or concessions, it's advisable to use the official stamp duty calculators provided by each state's revenue office or consult with a property valuation expert.
Contact one of our friendly team today to discuss your stamp duty valuation requirements.
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