Do You Pay Stamp Duty When Selling a House?

When selling a property in Australia, one of the most common questions that comes up is: ‘do you pay stamp duty as a seller?’ With so many costs and legal requirements involved in property transactions, it’s easy to see why this is confusing.

The short answer is no, in most cases, sellers do not pay stamp duty. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other important fees and responsibilities to be aware of. In this article, we’ll explain how stamp duty works, who pays it, and what costs sellers do need to plan for, along with how the right real estate agent (found through Agent Choice) can help you avoid surprises.

What Is Stamp Duty and Who Pays It?

Stamp duty is a government tax applied to certain transactions, most commonly property purchases. The rate and rules vary from state to state, but the purpose of stamp duty is to cover the administrative and legal costs of changing ownership.

So, do you pay stamp duty when selling a house? No, buyers are responsible for stamp duty, not sellers. This is true across all Australian states and territories. However, stamp duty can significantly affect the overall cost of buying a property, which means it may influence buyer demand and budget, and indirectly affect your sale.

Do You Pay Stamp Duty When Selling a House? 

Let’s say it again clearly: Sellers do not pay stamp duty. That responsibility sits with the buyer. But while you won’t be charged this tax directly, selling still comes with a range of legal and financial costs you’ll need to plan for.

This includes things like:

• Conveyancing and legal fees
• Mortgage discharge fees (if you’re still paying off the home)
• Marketing and photography
• Real estate agent commission
• Capital gains tax (if it’s an investment property)
  

In short: while stamp duty isn’t your burden as a seller, the process is far from free and having an experienced agent to guide you is key.

What Costs Do Sellers Actually Pay?

Here’s a breakdown of typical seller-side costs:

• Conveyancing Fees: Most sellers will pay between $700 and $2,000 to have a solicitor or conveyancer handle the legal paperwork and settlement process.
• Mortgage Discharge Fees: If you have a home loan, your lender may charge a discharge or early termination fee when you sell often between $300 and $1,000.
• Agent Commission: The biggest cost is usually your real estate agent’s commission, which typically ranges between 1.6% and 3.3% of the final sale price.
• Marketing and Photography: Marketing packages vary but often cost between $2,500 and $8,000. This includes listings on sites like realestate.com.au and Domain, floorplans, signboards, and styling.
• Capital Gains Tax (if applicable): If the property was an investment, capital gains tax (CGT) may apply on any profit. CGT rules are complex, your accountant can advise you based on your situation.

Is Stamp Duty Tax Deductible?

Not for sellers. Since you’re not paying stamp duty when selling, there’s nothing to claim. For buyers, stamp duty is also generally not tax-deductible. However, if you’re an investor, stamp duty may be claimable as part of your property’s cost base when calculating capital gains tax. It’s a common area of confusion especially when selling investment properties.

• If you want to dig deeper, check out this guide from Hardman Associates on: “Is Stamp Duty Tax Deductible?”

Why It Still Matters to Sellers

Even though sellers don’t pay stamp duty, it still plays a role in the selling process:

• It affects how much buyers can afford
• It influences buyer behaviour and demand
• It can impact your sale price indirectly, especially in slower markets
  

That’s why it’s important to work with an agent who understands local buyer sentiment including how stamp duty thresholds or exemptions might impact demand in your area.

Why the Right Agent Makes All the Difference

A great agent doesn’t just market your property they guide you through every step, including:

• What documents and disclosures you need to provide
• When to expect your settlement date
• What costs apply, and how to minimise them
• How to time your sale based on local buyer activity
  

Agent Choice helps you compare top-performing agents in your area, based on real data including fees, reviews, and results so you can make an informed choice without the guesswork.

Stamp Duty May Not Be Your Cost, But Selling Still Comes at a Price

To wrap it up: do you pay stamp duty when selling a house? No, but that doesn’t mean selling is free of cost or complexity. From legal paperwork to choosing the right marketing approach, there’s a lot to consider.

That’s where Agent Choice makes the process simpler. We help you compare top-performing agents across Australia based on reviews, fees, and actual performance so you can sell smarter, not harder.

👉 Compare top agents now and feel confident in every step of your sale.