Stamp Duty Valuation Australia

Each Australian state and territory administers its own transfer duty regime through a dedicated revenue office. While the underlying triggers for requesting an independent market valuation are broadly similar across jurisdictions — typically related-party transfers, gifts, transfers for nominal or no consideration, and corporate or trust restructures — each office has its own published guidance, evidentiary expectations, and objection process. The notes below outline the most common practical triggers per jurisdiction. For specific cases, verify the current requirement directly with the relevant revenue office before commissioning work.

New South Wales — Revenue NSW. An independent market valuation is typically expected for transfers between related parties, transfers for nominal or no consideration, and transfers involving discretionary trusts. The Revenue NSW Duties Document Matrix specifies which evidence is mandatory for each transaction type. RICS- or API-prepared reports are accepted as standard evidence of dutiable value. Reassessment requests on existing duty assessments are made via the Revenue NSW objections process and generally require an independent valuation as supporting evidence.

Victoria — State Revenue Office Victoria (SRO). SRO Victoria publishes specific guidance on transfer duty assessments where consideration does not represent market value. Independent valuations are typically required for transfers between associated entities, distributions in specie from trusts, and corporate reconstruction relief applications. SRO accepts valuations prepared by qualified valuers (API CPV or RICS Registered Valuer) provided the report sets out methodology and is dated at or near the dutiable date.

Queensland — Queensland Revenue Office (QRO). QRO publishes a Public Ruling on the use of market value for transfer duty. Independent valuations are typically expected for related-party transfers, gifts, and transactions where consideration is below market value. QRO also administers the Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty (AFAD), which is calculated on the same dutiable value — an independent valuation supports both the standard duty calculation and the foreign surcharge in a single document.

Western Australia — RevenueWA. RevenueWA administers transfer duty under the Duties Act 2008 (WA). Independent valuations are commonly required for non-arm's-length transfers, gifts, and corporate reconstruction relief. RevenueWA's published Practice Notes set out the evidence expected for assessments where market value is the dutiable base.

South Australia — RevenueSA. RevenueSA requires independent valuations for transfers between related parties, transfers for nominal consideration, and applications for relief under the Stamp Duties Act 1923 (SA). South Australian stamp duty reforms (including residential commercial property duty changes) have made valuation evidence increasingly important for borderline transactions.

Tasmania — State Revenue Office Tasmania (SRO Tas). SRO Tasmania administers property transfer duty under the Duties Act 2001 (Tas). Independent valuations are typically requested for related-party transfers, gifts, and transfers under family arrangements. The Foreign Investor Duty Surcharge (FIDS) is calculated on the same dutiable value, so a single valuation supports both standard and surcharge duty calculations.

Australian Capital Territory — ACT Revenue Office. ACT administers transfer duty under the Duties Act 1999 (ACT). The ACT is currently mid-way through a long-running reform replacing transfer duty with higher recurring rates on land, but residential and commercial transfer duty still applies. Independent valuations are typically requested for related-party transfers, trust restructures, and any transfer where the contract price does not reflect market.

Northern Territory — Territory Revenue Office. The Territory Revenue Office administers stamp duty under the Stamp Duty Act 1978 (NT). Independent valuations are commonly required for related-party transfers, transfers for nominal consideration, and corporate reconstruction relief applications. NT does not impose a foreign purchaser surcharge on transfer duty.

For the per-jurisdiction bracket tables and headline duty rates, see the Stamp Duty Rates by State Australia 2025-26 reference data article linked under Further Reading below.