Upfront costs of buying a property in Australia
What are upfront costs?
The deposit is the number everyone talks about. It's rarely the number that trips people up. Stamp duty, legal fees, building and pest, lenders mortgage insurance - the costs stacked on top of your deposit are the ones that quietly blow out a budget the week before settlement.
This calculator shows the full cash you need to complete a purchase, broken down line by line, for any state or territory. Punch in a price and see the real day-one figure - not the sticker price.
Upfront costs
The cash you need on settlement day to complete the purchase – deposit, stamp duty, legal fees and everything in between, before the property is yours. Enter your details to see your total.
Property & loanLoan amount: $616,000 · LVR 88%
Your deposit is under 20%, so lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) normally applies. It's estimated below and added to the loan by default.
Under the scheme the government guarantees the gap, so no LMI is charged even at a 5% deposit. Price caps apply (Sydney $1.5M, Melbourne $950k, Brisbane $1M, with separate regional caps) and the home must be one you live in. Confirm your address is under the cap.
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Full bar is total cash to complete. The mint tip is the part that changes when you cross a state line. Sorted lowest to highest.
Know the cash. Now check the property. We buy investment-grade property nationally and pressure-test what a calculator can't see.
Book a discovery callEstimates only. This calculator does not constitute financial, legal, credit or tax advice. Stamp duty is based on 2025-26 published schedules for each state and territory. First home buyer stamp duty concessions and First Home Owner Grants shown are estimates, subject to eligibility, price caps and principal-place-of-residence requirements, and vary by state. The First Home Guarantee is a Commonwealth guarantee that removes LMI for eligible first home buyers with as little as a 5% deposit; it is subject to property price caps by region and is not a cash grant. Transfer and mortgage registration fees are approximate and vary by transaction. Lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) is an indicative estimate only – actual premiums vary significantly by lender, insurer, loan size and LVR, and are commonly added to the loan rather than paid upfront. Settlement adjustments for council and water rates are not included. Foreign purchaser surcharges are not included. Always confirm your final figures with your conveyancer, mortgage broker and the relevant state revenue office before you commit. Premier Buyers holds no Australian Financial Services Licence or Australian Credit Licence. Sources: Revenue NSW · SRO Victoria · Queensland Revenue Office · RevenueWA · RevenueSA · SRO Tasmania · ACT Revenue Office · NT Treasury · Housing Australia (Home Guarantee Scheme). © Premier Buyers – premierbuyers.com.au
FAQ
What are the upfront costs of buying a property in Australia?
Your deposit plus stamp duty, transfer and registration fees, conveyancing, building and pest, and lenders mortgage insurance if your deposit is under 20%. On top of the deposit, costs often land somewhere around 5% to 10% of the purchase price.
How much deposit do I need?
Most buyers aim for 20% to avoid lenders mortgage insurance. You can buy with as little as 5% if you're happy to pay LMI - or avoid it entirely if you're an eligible first home buyer using the First Home Guarantee.
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty?
Often reduced, sometimes nothing - it depends on the state, the price, and whether it's the home you'll live in. Your state revenue office sets the rules and your lender confirms your eligibility.
What is LMI and when do I pay it?
Lenders mortgage insurance protects the lender when you borrow more than 80% of the property value. You can pay it upfront or add it to the loan. It's waived under the First Home Guarantee.
Why do upfront costs differ between states?
Mainly stamp duty - each state and territory runs its own schedule, so the same price can cost thousands more in one state than another.
Can I add these costs to my loan?
LMI is commonly added to the loan. Most other costs - stamp duty, legal, inspections - are paid in cash at settlement.
General information only. Not financial advice. Figures are estimates - confirm with your conveyancer, broker and the relevant state revenue office before you commit.