Buying a new home in Western Australia just got a tiny little more affordable. The Cook Government has announced changes to its stamp duty concession scheme for off-the-plan and under-construction dwellings, backed by a $70.6 million investment as part of the 2026-2027 State Budget.
The changes took effect on Thursday, March 12th, and bring a wider range of properties into the fold. For the first time, survey-strata dwellings — including duplexes and triplexes — are eligible for concessions, meaning buyers aren’t limited to large apartment complexes when looking to take advantage of the scheme.
What the new thresholds mean for buyers
The concession thresholds have been lifted by $50,000 across the board. The lower threshold now sits at $800,000 (up from $750,000) and the upper threshold at $900,000 (up from $850,000).
For buyers purchasing off-the-plan, no stamp duty is payable on dwellings up to $800,000, with a 50% concession available above that mark. Those buying a property that’s already under construction can access a 75% concession up to $800,000, tapering to 37.5% above $900,000. On an $800,000 property, that translates to a saving of more than $32,300 for off-the-plan purchases, or more than $24,200 for under-construction buys — a meaningful dent in the cost of getting into a new home.
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Who stands to benefit
The expanded scheme is particularly relevant for downsizers — older Western Australians looking to trade a family home for something more manageable. Apartments, townhouses, villas, units, duplexes, and triplexes in eligible strata schemes are now all covered, giving buyers considerably more choice in deciding what the next chapter looks like.
Treasurer Rita Saffioti described the announcement as the first in a series of housing measures coming via the 2026-27 State Budget. “By expanding stamp duty concessions to more homes, we’re providing greater choice to buyers and making home ownership more affordable,” she said. “This means older Western Australians looking to downsize can save thousands when buying a new apartment, townhouse, villa, or unit off-the-plan or under construction.”
Extended deadline gives buyers more time
The concession scheme, which had been set to conclude on June 30th, 2026, has now been extended until June 30th, 2028. That two-year extension gives buyers more time to plan, and provides greater certainty for developers working on multi-residential projects.
The announcement builds on what the government describes as a record $6.3 billion investment in housing and homelessness measures since 2021, with housing flagged as a central focus of the upcoming State Budget.
