Foreign Buyer Surcharge Calculator
Calculate the additional stamp duty surcharge payable by foreign persons purchasing residential property in Australia.
| Foreign Buyer Surcharge | $0 |
| Standard Stamp Duty | $0 |
| Surcharge Rate | — |
| Total as % of Purchase | 0% |
FIRB application fees and annual foreign owner land tax surcharges are not included. Check with the relevant state revenue office for current rates and eligibility.
Foreign Buyer Stamp Duty Surcharges in Australia
If you are a foreign person — generally someone who is not an Australian citizen or permanent resident — most Australian states charge an additional stamp duty surcharge when you purchase residential property. This surcharge is on top of the standard stamp duty that any buyer pays, and can add up to tens of thousands of dollars on a single purchase.
Surcharge Rates by State (FY 2026–27)
- NSW: 9% of the purchase price
- VIC: 8% of the purchase price
- QLD: 8% of the purchase price
- SA: 7% of the market value (typically purchase price)
- WA: 7% of the purchase price
- TAS: 8% of the purchase price
- NT: No foreign buyer surcharge
- ACT: No foreign buyer surcharge
A worked example
An $800,000 residential purchase in Victoria by a foreign buyer. Ordinary duty is $43,070 and the 8.0% surcharge adds $64,000 on top — $107,070 of transfer costs before FIRB fees are counted.
FIRB Approval
Before a foreign person can purchase most residential property in Australia, they must obtain approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). FIRB application fees apply and are based on the purchase price. FIRB fees are separate from and in addition to stamp duty surcharges. As of 2026–27, fees start at approximately $4,200 for properties valued up to $1 million.
Annual Land Tax Surcharges
Many states also impose an ongoing annual land tax surcharge on properties owned by foreign persons. NSW charges 5% per year (raised from 4% for the 2025 land tax year); VIC charges 4% per year on the capital improved value. These ongoing costs should be factored into any investment analysis. Use the land tax calculators on AusCalcs to estimate your annual obligations.
New Zealand Citizens
New Zealand citizens and permanent residents of New Zealand are treated differently in some states. In NSW, they are exempt from the foreign buyer surcharge. Check with your state revenue office for NZ-specific rules in your jurisdiction.