What it costs to buy in Northern Territory: the transfer duty payable at each price, the relief available to first home buyers, the property price caps that govern the 5% Deposit Scheme, and the suburb guides published for Darwin and beyond.
Transfer duty in Northern Territory
Transfer duty is set by Territory Revenue Office and is usually the largest cost of buying after the deposit. It generally cannot be added to the loan. The figures below are indicative, calculated on the 2026-27 schedule for an established home, and exclude foreign purchaser surcharges.
Purchase price
First home buyer
Owner-occupier
Investor
$500,000
$23,929
$23,929
$23,929
$700,000
$34,650
$34,650
$34,650
$900,000
$44,550
$44,550
$44,550
$1,200,000
$59,400
$59,400
$59,400
First home buyer figures assume eligibility. The Northern Territory has no general first home duty concession for established homes. Its support is directed to new homes, through the $50,000 HomeGrown Territory Grant and the House and Land Package Exemption, which runs to 30 June 2027. Confirm the current position with Territory Revenue Office, stamp duty, or work out a specific price with the NT stamp duty calculator. Grants and other assistance are set out in the guide to first home buyer grants in Northern Territory.
The 5% Deposit Scheme in Northern Territory
Under the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, eligible buyers purchase with a deposit of 5 per cent, or 2 per cent for single parents and legal guardians, without paying lenders mortgage insurance. Since 1 October 2025 there are no income caps and no limit on places. Property price caps still apply, and both the purchase price and the lender’s valuation must sit at or below the cap.
One guide has been published for Northern Territory, each with 2021 Census housing and household data, the dominant housing stock and the lending considerations that follow from it.
Duty, concessions and grants are set by each jurisdiction, so the cost of the same purchase differs across a border. The guide to stamp duty compares all eight, and the government grants section sets out the assistance available.
Questions about buying in Northern Territory
How much is stamp duty in Northern Territory?+
It depends on the price and on who is buying. On an indicative 2026-27 schedule, an owner-occupier buying an established home at $700,000 in Northern Territory pays about $34,650. Duty rises faster than price, so the average rate increases as the property becomes more expensive. Territory Revenue Office publishes the current schedule.
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in Northern Territory?+
The Northern Territory has no general first home duty concession for established homes. Its support is directed to new homes, through the $50,000 HomeGrown Territory Grant and the House and Land Package Exemption, which runs to 30 June 2027. First home buyer figures on this page assume eligibility, and conditions including residence requirements apply. The revenue office should be checked before a purchase is relied upon.
What is the 5% Deposit Scheme price cap in Northern Territory?+
$750,000 in Darwin and the defined regional centres, and $600,000 elsewhere. Both the purchase price and the lender's assessed value must be at or below the cap for the location.
Are home loan interest rates different in Northern Territory?+
No. Australian lenders price home loans nationally, so the rate offered does not depend on the state. What differs by jurisdiction is the cost of the transaction: transfer duty, first home buyer concessions, grants and land tax. Those differences can amount to tens of thousands of dollars on the same purchase price.
Can I use a broker for a purchase in Northern Territory?+
Yes. Australian credit licensing is national, so an accredited broker can arrange finance for a property anywhere in Australia. Conveyancing is the part that is state based, and a conveyancer or solicitor admitted in Northern Territory should handle the transaction itself.
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