A Quick Guide to Land Tax in Australia
Land tax in Australia is assessed and collected annually (quarterly in the ACT) based on the value of land, and is levied by all states and territories except the Northern Territory, which imposes a Property Activation Levy on Darwin CBD properties.
The taxing regimes are set on a state-by-state basis, and although broadly similar, they differ in matters of:
- the taxing date
- valuation methods
- the ownership entity (e.g. individual as opposed to corporate or trust ownership)
- tax rates and thresholds
- exemptions
Typically one principal place of residence is exempt from land tax, as are charities, other non-profit entities and disability trusts.
Land tax is generally assessed to the owner, based on ownership of the land within the state or territory at a point of time, the taxing date.
Land Tax NSW
Tax on land in the state of New South Wales.
Taxing date
Midnight 31 December
NSW online land tax calculator
NSW land valuations
NSW land tax website
Land Tax Queensland
Tax on land in the state of Queensland.
News article: Land tax changes coming to Queensland in July 2023 – Holding Redlich
Warning: Queensland land tax rates to be based on Australia wide landholdings – McCullogh Roberston
Taxing date
30 June
Qld land valuations
Queensland land tax website
Land Tax Western Australia
Tax on land in the state of WA
Taxing date
30 June
WA land valuations
Western Australia land tax website
Land Tax Australian Capital Territory
Tax on land in the ACT
Taxing date
Quarterly on each of 1 July, 1 October, 1 January and 1 April
ACT land valuations
ACT land tax website
Land Tax Victoria
Tax on land in the state of Victoria.
Taxing date
Midnight 31 December
Vic online land tax calculator
Vic land valuations
Victoria land tax website
Land Tax South Australia
Tax on land in the state of South Australia.
Taxing date
30 June
SA land valuations
South Australia land tax website
Land Tax Tasmania
Tax on land in the state of Tasmania
Taxing date
1 July
TAS land valuations
Tasmania land tax website
Land Tax Northern Territory
Tax on land in the Northern Territory
Taxing date
30 June
NT Property Activation Levy – Territory Revenue Office
Further info – Land tax in Australia
NSW: New initiative for First Home Buyers As part of the 2022-23 Budget, the NSW Government announced that first home buyers purchasing properties up to $1.5 million will be provided the option to pay an annual property tax instead of transfer duty. See full article from NSW Revenue.
The wait is over: Victoria implements the new windfall gains tax regime – Corrs Chambers Westgarth
How Does Land Tax Apply to Discretionary Trusts? – Coleman Greig
Stamp Duty and Land Tax Maps – PWC
This page was last modified 2022-08-05