Stamp Duty Fees & Total Costs
Understanding total government costs: stamp duty, transfer fees, mortgage registration and more.
Stamp Duty Fees vs Total Government Costs (Australia)
Many calculators show only stamp duty — but buyers often face additional government fees at settlement. Budgeting only for duty can lead to unpleasant surprises.
Quick action: Estimate stamp duty + fees
What are “stamp duty fees”?
People often search “stamp duty fees” or “stamp duty cost” to understand everything payable to government. In practice, there are usually two categories:
1) Stamp duty (transfer duty)
The main duty calculated using state rate bands.
2) Government registration fees
Common examples include:
- transfer registration fee (title transfer)
- mortgage registration fee (if you take a home loan)
These are not “stamp duty” but they are government costs that show up at settlement.
Total government costs (the number buyers actually want)
MoneyWiseCalc can show:
- Stamp duty total
- Government fees total
- Total government costs (duty + fees)
This gives a clearer “cash needed” picture, especially when combined with deposit planning.
FAQ
How much is stamp duty in Australia?
There isn’t one national amount — duty depends on your state/territory and property value. Use the calculator for an estimate.
Does stamp duty include settlement fees?
No. Settlement involves legal/conveyancing, lender fees, and government registration fees. “Total government costs” focuses on duty + common government registration fees.
Tip: For a full “cash to close” plan, also budget for conveyancing, lender fees, inspections, and moving costs.