From offer to settlement,
step by step.
A plain-English walkthrough of buying your first home, from the moment you've found the place all the way to life after settlement. The legal process differs by state, so pick yours and the guide updates to match.
Showing the journey for New South Wales.
Cooling-off period
5 business days
Government duty
Transfer duty
Shared buildings
Strata
Revenue authority
Revenue NSW
First-home help in New South Wales
First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme (a transfer-duty exemption or concession) plus the First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) for eligible newly built properties. NSW calls it transfer duty (most people still say “stamp duty”). First home buyers may pay no duty or a reduced rate under the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme, depending on the price. Always confirm current eligibility and amounts with Revenue NSW.
Read our buying a home in NSW guide for the full NSW conveyancing process.
Stamp duty & grant estimator
Move the slider to your budget for an indicative transfer duty figure in New South Wales, plus a flag for likely first-home exemptions, concessions and the grant. For the authoritative amounts, always check with Revenue NSW.
Estimate your duty & grant
A rough figure to plan with, not a quote.
Estimated duty payable
Down from $27,937, about $27,937 saved as a first home buyer.
Likely full exemption
Indicative estimate only, not legal or financial advice. Duty scales, thresholds, concessions and grants change and depend on your circumstances. Always confirm the amounts that apply to you with Revenue NSW before you act.
Your step-by-step path to settlement
Each step shows what happens, plus what's specific to New South Wales.
You've found the property you want to buy
You make an offer (or it's accepted) and the seller's agent prepares the contract of sale. Before you sign, get the contract reviewed. Once you sign and exchange, you're committed, subject to any cooling-off rights and conditions in the contract.
NSW: In NSW, private-treaty sales come with a 5-business-day cooling-off period after the contract is exchanged. If you pull out during it, you forfeit 0.25% of the purchase price. There's no cooling-off when you buy at auction.
Searches & enquiries
Your conveyancer orders property and title searches to make sure the property is exactly what you think it is, and that nothing unexpected (debts, restrictions, planning issues) comes with it.
NSW: Title and planning searches confirm who owns the property, the zoning, and whether anything (like an easement or a council notice) affects it.
Financing & your deposit
Your lender confirms your loan and unconditional finance approval, and your deposit is paid as the contract requires. The legal steps are timed to line up with your lender so settlement isn't held up.
NSW: Line up your finance approval and deposit early. Settlement timing is coordinated with your lender so the funds are ready on the day.
Inspections
A building inspection and a pest (timber pest) inspection check the physical condition of the property. For a unit or shared building, you'll also want the relevant strata-type report.
NSW: In NSW, the report for a shared building is the strata report. Buying a unit or townhouse? Order a strata report to check the building's finances, levies and any disputes before you commit.
Engaging a conveyancer
Bring a conveyancer in as early as possible, ideally before you sign anything. They review the contract, run the searches, manage the other side and your lender, prepare the adjustments and book and attend settlement on your behalf.
NSW: In NSW you can use a licensed conveyancer or a solicitor. We handle it for you either way.
What gets adjusted at settlement
On settlement day, ongoing property costs are fairly split between you and the seller for their share of the period. You only pay for the days you'll actually own the home.
NSW: Council rates, water rates and any strata levies are split (adjusted) between you and the seller. Land tax may also be adjusted if it applies to the property.
After settlement
The property is yours. There are a few loose ends to tie up so your records are up to date and bills come to the right place.
NSW: Update your details with Revenue NSW, your council and your water provider, and make sure any first-home benefit you qualified for has been claimed.
Cooling-off period
5 business days
Government duty
Transfer duty
Shared buildings
Body corporate
Revenue authority
Queensland Revenue Office (QRO)
First-home help in Queensland
First home transfer-duty concession (including a concession for first-home vacant land) plus the First Home Owner Grant for eligible new homes. Queensland calls it transfer duty (often still called “stamp duty”). First home buyers may qualify for a first home concession, or a first home (new) concession, that reduces or removes it. Always confirm current eligibility and amounts with Queensland Revenue Office (QRO).
Read our buying a home in Queensland guide for the full Queensland conveyancing process.
Stamp duty & grant estimator
Move the slider to your budget for an indicative transfer duty figure in Queensland, plus a flag for likely first-home exemptions, concessions and the grant. For the authoritative amounts, always check with Queensland Revenue Office (QRO).
Estimate your duty & grant
A rough figure to plan with, not a quote.
Estimated duty payable
Down from $26,775, about $15,850 saved as a first home buyer.
Likely partial concession
Indicative estimate only, not legal or financial advice. Duty scales, thresholds, concessions and grants change and depend on your circumstances. Always confirm the amounts that apply to you with Queensland Revenue Office before you act.
Your step-by-step path to settlement
Each step shows what happens, plus what's specific to Queensland.
You've found the property you want to buy
You make an offer (or it's accepted) and the seller's agent prepares the contract of sale. Before you sign, get the contract reviewed. Once you sign and exchange, you're committed, subject to any cooling-off rights and conditions in the contract.
QLD: Queensland gives most buyers a 5-business-day cooling-off period, ending at 5pm on the fifth business day. Withdraw during it and you may forfeit 0.25% of the purchase price. Auctions have no cooling-off.
Searches & enquiries
Your conveyancer orders property and title searches to make sure the property is exactly what you think it is, and that nothing unexpected (debts, restrictions, planning issues) comes with it.
QLD: Title and council searches confirm ownership, zoning and any notices, encumbrances or rates owing on the property.
Financing & your deposit
Your lender confirms your loan and unconditional finance approval, and your deposit is paid as the contract requires. The legal steps are timed to line up with your lender so settlement isn't held up.
QLD: Get your finance approval and deposit sorted early. We coordinate the settlement date with your lender so everything lands together.
Inspections
A building inspection and a pest (timber pest) inspection check the physical condition of the property. For a unit or shared building, you'll also want the relevant strata-type report.
QLD: In QLD, the report for a shared building is the body corporate records search and disclosure statement. Buying a unit or townhouse? Review the body corporate records and disclosure statement to understand levies, the sinking fund and any by-laws or disputes.
Engaging a conveyancer
Bring a conveyancer in as early as possible, ideally before you sign anything. They review the contract, run the searches, manage the other side and your lender, prepare the adjustments and book and attend settlement on your behalf.
QLD: In Queensland, conveyancing is done by solicitors. There are no licensed conveyancers, so a qualified property lawyer handles your matter.
What gets adjusted at settlement
On settlement day, ongoing property costs are fairly split between you and the seller for their share of the period. You only pay for the days you'll actually own the home.
QLD: Council rates, water and body corporate levies are split (adjusted) between you and the seller. Land tax may also be adjusted where it applies.
After settlement
The property is yours. There are a few loose ends to tie up so your records are up to date and bills come to the right place.
QLD: Update your details with the Queensland Revenue Office, your council and your water/utility providers, and confirm any first-home concession has been applied.
Cooling-off period
3 business days
Government duty
Land transfer duty
Shared buildings
Owners corporation
Revenue authority
State Revenue Office Victoria (SRO)
First-home help in Victoria
First-home land-transfer-duty exemption or concession plus the First Home Owner Grant for eligible new homes. Victoria calls it land transfer duty (still widely known as “stamp duty”). First home buyers may pay no duty up to a threshold, with a sliding concession on a band above it. Always confirm current eligibility and amounts with State Revenue Office Victoria (SRO).
Read our buying a home in Victoria guide for the full Victorian conveyancing process.
Stamp duty & grant estimator
Move the slider to your budget for an indicative land transfer duty figure in Victoria, plus a flag for likely first-home exemptions, concessions and the grant. For the authoritative amounts, always check with State Revenue Office Victoria (SRO).
Estimate your duty & grant
A rough figure to plan with, not a quote.
Estimated duty payable
Standard VIC duty on a $750,000 purchase.
Standard duty likely applies
Indicative estimate only, not legal or financial advice. Duty scales, thresholds, concessions and grants change and depend on your circumstances. Always confirm the amounts that apply to you with State Revenue Office Victoria before you act.
Your step-by-step path to settlement
Each step shows what happens, plus what's specific to Victoria.
You've found the property you want to buy
You make an offer (or it's accepted) and the seller's agent prepares the contract of sale. Before you sign, get the contract reviewed. Once you sign and exchange, you're committed, subject to any cooling-off rights and conditions in the contract.
VIC: Victoria gives private-sale buyers a 3-business-day cooling-off period. If you withdraw, you forfeit $100 or 0.2% of the purchase price, whichever is greater. There's no cooling-off when you buy at auction (or within three clear business days of one).
Searches & enquiries
Your conveyancer orders property and title searches to make sure the property is exactly what you think it is, and that nothing unexpected (debts, restrictions, planning issues) comes with it.
VIC: Title and planning searches confirm ownership, zoning and anything (such as an easement or covenant) that affects the land. Your contract should include a vendor statement (section 32). We review it closely.
Financing & your deposit
Your lender confirms your loan and unconditional finance approval, and your deposit is paid as the contract requires. The legal steps are timed to line up with your lender so settlement isn't held up.
VIC: Sort your finance approval and deposit early. We align the settlement date with your lender, and handle any section 27 early deposit release.
Inspections
A building inspection and a pest (timber pest) inspection check the physical condition of the property. For a unit or shared building, you'll also want the relevant strata-type report.
VIC: In VIC, the report for a shared building is the owners corporation certificate (section 151). Buying an apartment or unit? Request the owners corporation certificate to see fees, the maintenance fund and any current issues.
Engaging a conveyancer
Bring a conveyancer in as early as possible, ideally before you sign anything. They review the contract, run the searches, manage the other side and your lender, prepare the adjustments and book and attend settlement on your behalf.
VIC: In Victoria you can use a licensed conveyancer or a solicitor. We take care of it for you.
What gets adjusted at settlement
On settlement day, ongoing property costs are fairly split between you and the seller for their share of the period. You only pay for the days you'll actually own the home.
VIC: Council rates, water and owners corporation fees are split (adjusted) between you and the seller. Land tax may also be adjusted where it applies.
After settlement
The property is yours. There are a few loose ends to tie up so your records are up to date and bills come to the right place.
VIC: Update your details with the State Revenue Office, your council and your water provider, and confirm any first-home benefit you qualified for has been applied.
This guide is general information only and isn't legal advice. Property law, cooling-off rules, duties, grants and concessions change and depend on your circumstances. Always confirm the details that apply to you with Revenue NSW and your conveyancer before you act.
Ready when you are
Get a fixed-fee quote in minutes, or talk it through with a real conveyancer first. We handle first-home purchases across NSW, VIC and QLD, fully online.
Looking for the first-home buyer offer? See first home buyers