When buying a property, there’s more to consider than just the deposit and your home loan repayments. Costs like stamp duty, inspections and smaller expenses can add up quickly, making it important to understand the full picture before you commit.
This calculator helps you estimate the additional costs involved in buying a home, giving you a more realistic idea of what you’ll need to budget for.
How to use the property buying cost calculator
For each cost listed in the calculator, enter the amount you expect to pay, or use estimates if you’re unsure. If you don’t have the figures to hand, the resources and general ranges we provide below can give you an idea of what each cost might be.
If a cost doesn’t apply to you, simply leave it at $0.
Once all amounts are entered, the calculator will estimate your government charges, lender fees and other expenses, as well as the total of all these costs.
Note that this calculator does not include your mortgage repayments. To estimate those, you can use Savvy’s home loan repayments calculator.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate only. Actual costs will vary depending on the property, location and your individual circumstances.
What costs will I have to pay when buying a property?
Government charges
When you buy a property, there will be certain government-imposed costs that must be paid to complete the purchase.
Stamp duty
Also referred to as transfer duty, stamp duty is a government tax paid when you buy a property. How much you’ll pay depends on the value of the property, where you live and whether you qualify for a reduction or exemption, but it can amount to tens of thousands of dollars.
Mortgage registration fee
This is a small fee payable when you take out a home loan to buy or refinance a property. It varies depending on the state or territory you live in, but will fall somewhere between $125 and $240.
Transfer fee
Not to be confused with transfer (stamp) duty, the transfer fee is a government charge that must be paid to register a change in the property’s ownership. Some states and territories charge a fixed fee, while others base it on the property’s value, meaning it can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
The table below can help you understand how much you will have to pay in government charges when buying a home:
| State/Territory | Stamp duty | Mortgage registration fee | Transfer fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Transfer duty calculator | $176 | $176 |
| VIC | Land transfer (stamp) duty calculator | $125.70 (digital transaction) $135.80 (paper transaction) | Variable – based on property price |
| QLD | Transfer duty estimator | $238 | Variable – based on property price |
| SA | Property transfer fees calculator | $198 | Variable – based on property price |
| WA | Transfer duty calculator | $217 | Variable – based on property price |
| NT | Land or property transfer stamp duty calculator | $176 | $176 |
| TAS | Property transfer duties and FIDS calculator | $163 | $250 |
| ACT | Conveyance duty calculator | $178 | $479 |
| Prices and links correct as of March 2026 | |||
Lender fees
Taking out a home loan comes with a range of fees, including a number of costs that will need to be covered up front.
Loan application fees
Sometimes called a loan establishment fee, this is a one-off cost charged by the lender to set up your loan, typically ranging from $150 to $700 (though some lenders may waive the fee).
You may also want to include other lender costs in this total, such as valuation fees ($300–$600), settlement fees ($150–$300) and, depending on your circumstances, additional security fees ($100–$150).
Legal fees
You may also need to pay the lender’s legal fees, which cover work on your loan documentation. These typically add $200 to $400 to your costs.
Note that these are separate from the fees for a solicitor or conveyancer handling the property transfer.
Lenders mortgage insurance
If your deposit is below 20% of the property price, you may need to pay lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). This is an additional cost that protects the lender if you default on your loan. LMI can add thousands to tens of thousands of dollars to your loan, depending on the loan amount, loan-to-value ratio (LVR) and your location, so it’s important to factor into your calculations.
Other buying costs
There’s a range of other expenses to consider when moving into a new home, though not all will apply to your situation.
- Home insurance: many lenders require borrowers to take out home insurance when buying a property to cover damage to the building, while adding contents insurance protects your belongings inside the home. Premiums vary depending on the property and location, but generally range from around $1,000 to $3,000 a year.
- Solicitor and conveyancing fees: when buying a property, you’ll generally need a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the legal transfer of ownership. Typical fees range from $500 to $2,500.
- Strata search: a strata search (or strata report) checks a unit, apartment or townhouse’s records to identify any risks before purchase. This usually costs from $250 to $450.
- Building and pest inspections: a building inspection checks the property for structural issues, damage and general condition, while a pest inspection looks for termites and other infestations. Costs typically range from $200 to $800 for a building inspection and $100 to $300 for a pest inspection.
- Moving expenses: moving costs vary based on how much you’re moving, how far and whether you hire removalists or do it yourself with a rented vehicle, meaning your move could cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
- Connecting utilities: you may need to pay disconnection and reconnection fees for electricity or gas, and if you’re moving into a new build, you may also need to pay for a new NBN connection. Costs can exceed $100 for energy connections, depending on where you live, while NBN setup fees may be $300 or more.
- Land tax: if you buy a property that you don’t intend to live in, such as an investment property or holiday home, you may need to pay land tax. It’s calculated based on the land’s value and varies by state, but can add hundreds to thousands of dollars to your annual costs.
- Council rates: you’ll need to pay your share of the annual council rates for the time you own the property during the rating period. Costs can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on where you live, the property’s value and how much of the year you are liable to pay for.
What are some of the avoidable home-buying costs?
There are some costs you may be able to avoid or reduce when buying a home. These include:
- Stamp duty: eligible first-time home buyers across Australia may qualify for stamp duty exemptions or reductions, depending on type of property, its value and location, potentially saving thousands of dollars. There may also be other stamp duty concessions available to buyers depending on the state you live in.
- LMI: if your deposit is below 20% of the property price, you’ll likely need to pay LMI. However, you may be able to avoid this extra charge through government programs like the 5% Deposit Scheme or the Help to Buy Scheme or applying with a guarantor.
- Application fees: fees vary between lenders and loan products, with some loan providers offering lower establishment, and others waiving it entirely.
Case study: budgeting for buying a home
Emma is taking the next step in her property journey in Melbourne. She’s selling her flat and buying a $1,000,000 house with her partner in a nearby suburb.
On top of their deposit and regular mortgage repayments, they’ll need to factor in a range of other upfront expenses.
Here’s an example of the costs they might face:
Government charges
- Stamp duty: $55,000
- Mortgage registration fee: $125.70
- Transfer fee: $2,442
Lender fees
- Home loan application fee: $200
Other home-buying costs
- Home insurance: $2,500
- Solicitor/conveyancing: $1,000
- Pest inspection: $800
- Moving costs: $600
- Disconnect/reconnect energy: $66
- Council rates (adjusted at settlement): $200
Total estimated costs: $62,933.70
As this example shows, additional expenses can add tens of thousands of dollars to the total outlay when buying a property. While government charges such as stamp duty are often the largest single item, other costs also add up, so it’s important to budget for these extra amounts.
Tips for saving money on your property purchase
-
Look for lower interest rates
Even small differences in your home loan interest rate can add up to thousands of dollars in savings over the life of your loan.
-
Put down a higher deposit
A larger deposit reduces the amount you need to borrow, lowering your interest payments over time. It may also help you avoid LMI.
-
Take advantage of government schemes
Programs for first-home buyers or other eligible buyers can reduce costs like stamp duty or deposit requirements, potentially saving thousands.
-
Spend now to save later
Paying for building and pest inspections can identify issues before purchase, which can help you negotiate a better price or avoid costly repairs after buying.
-
Shop around for services
You don’t have to settle for the first quote you find. Whether it’s lenders, conveyancers, removalists or insurance, comparing your options can help you reduce your overall moving costs.
-
Use a mortgage broker
A mortgage broker can help you navigate the range of lenders and loan products to find the best fit. They can also identify savings tailored to your situation and help you avoid unnecessary fees.
