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What is the Pensioner Stamp Duty Concession?

As a pensioner in Victoria you may be eligible for a discount on the stamp duty when purchasing your next home.

The scheme is offered to pensioners in receipt of an eligible concession card which includes the Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and Low Income Health Card.

The concession applies on an individual basis. A full exemption is applied if an eligible pensioners share in the home value is less than $330,000 and a discount is offered on a sliding scale for those whose share lies between $330,001 and $750,000. The concession cut-off is $750,000 per person. 

As a result, a couple may be entitled to the full exemption if the property value is under $660,000 and both are holders of an eligible concession card. Alternatively a single person may only purchase a house worth $330,000 to receive the full exemption.

A couple who are both eligible pensioners may continue to receive a concession on stamp duty for properties valued up to $1,500,000, assuming a 50/50 ownership stake.  

Some of the other key criteria for the stamp duty concession include;

  • It is a once-only concession. 
  • You must use the home as your principal residence.  The concession does not apply to investment properties or holiday homes.

You are able to determine your exemption / concession using the State Revenue Office website. 

If you would like to discuss your eligibility in more detail, please contact our office.

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21 Comments

  1. Mrs Irena Drew on July 30, 2020 at 5:05 pm

    Hello
    I have a question as to the sliding scale re purchasing a home in Victoria? We are both pensioners and both hold a pensioner card. As we are going to buy and live in the home what would the concession on the stamp duty be say on a purchase of our first home in Victoria e.g……$800,000.00 to $900,000.00 ?
    I appreciate your help as we are moving from Sydney to be with our son when he returns from London. Thank you for your time.
    Kind Regards
    Irena and Rhett Drew

  2. Jane C cole on October 12, 2020 at 9:26 pm

    I’m on a disability pension am I eligible for the stamp duty concession?

  3. Gana on December 7, 2020 at 4:56 pm

    How does concession work on low-income healthcare cardholders

    • The Muirfield Team on December 9, 2020 at 11:53 am

      Hi Gana

      I’m not sure I understand your question

      Could you please rephrase.

      Thanks

      Courtney

  4. Peter and Alex Myers on December 16, 2021 at 1:22 pm

    I am a pensioner in Victoria, my wife won’t be until next November. My pension is based on the rate for a couple, even though she is not eligible. Does that mean we get the full discount on a house worth $660k,or does the government want it both ways and treat me as a single in this case?
    TIA,
    Peter.

    • The Muirfield Team on January 17, 2022 at 8:39 am

      Hi Peter,

      Unfortunately you are correct, both partners are required to be holders of an appropriate concession card. By the sounds of it, you will receive a discount, your wife will not.

      All the best

      Courtney Robinson

  5. oz on February 2, 2022 at 5:41 pm

    hi i bought a house in victoria for $990,000 my husband is pensioner and i am his career, and its my first house do i get any stamp duty back?
    thanks
    oz

  6. Maureen on March 19, 2022 at 7:32 am

    I am a single person with a pension card. If I buy a property for $900,000 as a home to live in as I’m down sizing am I eligible for a concession on stamp duty
    Thank you
    Maureen

    • The Muirfield Team on March 24, 2022 at 1:18 pm

      Hi Maureen,

      In Victoria, to receive any stamp duty discount, the value of your new home will need to be under $750,000.

      I suggest you use the pensioner stamp duty calculator on the State Revenue Office website.

      All the best

      Courtney Robinson

  7. Brenda Maree Farey on April 6, 2022 at 4:31 pm

    Iam a single person who owns a house with my brother he is how in a nursing home and I wish to down size but still keep the new house in both our names, l will be at retiring age in Feb next year, is there any concessions we are eligible for,
    Thankyou Brenda

    • The Muirfield Team on May 5, 2022 at 9:33 am

      Hi Brenda,

      Zac from our office specialises in both Aged Care and Centrelink matters and is best positioned to answer your questions.

      Please call our office on 03 5224 2700 and I’m sure he would be happy to help.

      Take care

      Muirfield Team

  8. Kenneth Hart on June 10, 2022 at 8:01 pm

    Many years ago we received a stamp duty concession as we were buying our first home in Australia. Seeing that we have received a stamp duty concession during our working days are we still able to receive a stamp duty concession again now that we are both retired and on a pension? We are thinking of purchasing a home on the Mornington Peninsula

    • The Muirfield Team on July 4, 2022 at 11:22 am

      Hi Kenneth,

      You may claim the stamp duty concession once using an approved Government concession card.

      However, by the sounds of it your original stamp duty concession fell under a different scheme, possibly the first home buyer scheme.

      If this is the case, you may be eligible to claim it for the first time using your concession card.

      I suggest you contact the State Revenue Office to confirm your specific case.

      All the best

      Courtney Robinson

  9. lynda wabbis on August 21, 2022 at 6:53 pm

    I’m retired aged pensioner what’s the concession if I buy a apartment $399,000

    • The Muirfield Team on August 23, 2022 at 11:09 am

      Hi Lynda,

      You can use the online calculator provided by the State Revenue office in your state to calculate your stamp duty concession.

      All the best

      Muirfield

  10. dirk peeman on December 14, 2022 at 7:49 pm

    i am a pensioner with a concession. card my wife is on job seek) but has been unable to work due to health issues. she will be on the pension in about 4 weeks. will we be eligible for a stamp duty exemption as we are purchasing another home to liv e in? thank you muirfield team

    • The Muirfield Team on January 10, 2023 at 5:01 pm

      Hi Dirk,

      The stamp duty concession comes with a number of eligibility criteria and considerations.

      Firstly, the home must be your principal residence. Second of all, to receive a full exemption for a couple, the home purchase price must be below $660,000 and it assumes both you and your wife have an applicable concession card.

      If you purchase a home worth more than $660,000, the concession is scaled back. In addition, if your wife does not hold an eligible concession card, the concession will only apply to your ownership stake in the home.

      I suggest you use the online calculator issued by the State Revenue Office, it’s quite intuitive.

      All the best.

      Muirfield

  11. Dawn on June 2, 2023 at 2:48 pm

    My husband and I as age pensioners received a discount five years ago, when downsizing our home. Since then, my husband has passed away two years ago and I want to sell and move closer to my daughter. Am I eligible for a discount again? Thanking you, Dawn Dean.

    • The Muirfield Team on July 4, 2023 at 11:51 am

      Hi Dawn, we’re sorry to hear of the passing of your husband.

      Unfortunately, the stamp duty concession can only be applied for once in your lifetime.

      If you require any assistance with your Centrelink benefits, please call us on 03 5224 2700.

      Take care.

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