Your Finance GuideAustralian finance education
VIC · Melbourne

Buying or refinancing in Victoria?

The schemes, stamp-duty thresholds and journey paths that apply to Victoria buyers, current as of May 2026. Median dwelling value: $830,000 (-0.9% year-on-year).

Stamp duty (transfer duty)
$600,000
FHB full exemption up to

Stamp duty steps from 1.4% to 5.5% with a premium 6.5% above $2,000,000. Foreign-buyer surcharge 8%.

Calculate stamp duty
First Home Owner Grant
$10,000
Cap $750,000

New homes (regional VIC up to $20,000 periodically).

Read the FHB grant guide
Median dwelling value
$830,000
-0.9% YoY

Melbourne dwelling values are roughly flat year-on-year, with apartment values down materially while houses are mixed.

Victoria home loans
Victoria schemes

Every Victoria scheme that actually moves the maths.

Federal + state schemes that Victoria first-home buyers and owner-occupiers can stack. Confirm eligibility against the relevant revenue office before signing a contract.

First Home Buyer Duty Exemption / Concession
Full waiver to $600k, sliding to $750k.
Victorian Homebuyer Fund
State shared-equity, government takes up to 25% equity.
Regional First Home Owner Grant
Up to $20,000 in regional VIC for new homes (eligibility windows vary).
Melbourne & beyond

Where Victoria borrowers are buying.

Sub-markets vary widely on price-to-income, rental yield and growth. Use the regions below as starting points; the journey paths below cover the structural decisions.

  • Melbourne metro
  • Geelong
  • Ballarat
  • Bendigo
  • Mornington Peninsula

Melbourne dwelling values are roughly flat year-on-year, with apartment values down materially while houses are mixed. Investor demand is muted by the 7.5% land-tax surcharge introduced in 2024.

WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the example given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees, or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Comparison rates are based on a secured loan of $30,000 over 5 years for vehicle finance and $50,000 over 5 years for equipment finance, as required under the National Credit Code.