Foreign Buyer Surcharges Across Australian States, Compared

July 2, 2026

If you're not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, buying residential property in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, or WA means paying an additional surcharge duty on top of standard transfer duty. NSW and Victoria currently charge 8%, while Queensland and Western Australia charge 7%. These surcharges apply to the full purchase price and stack directly on top of the progressive transfer duty bands — there's no offsetting concession for foreign first-home buyers. The policy intent is consistent across states: ease pressure on housing affordability for local buyers by making foreign investment in residential property comparatively more expensive. If you're a temporary resident on a visa rather than a permanent resident, you'll likely still be classified as a foreign person for these purposes — check your specific state revenue office's definition before you commit to a purchase.