Land Registry Fees Victoria 2026: Stamp Duty, Conveyancing Costs & New Property Rules

Buying a property in Victoria in 2026 involves more than the agreed purchase price. Buyers need to budget for land transfer duty, Land Registry fees, conveyancing costs, title searches and other settlement-related expenses before they commit to a transaction.

At the same time, Victoria is introducing significant changes to residential property sales and auction practices. From 1/10/2026, new rules will change how property prices are advertised, how auction reserve prices are disclosed and how comparable-property information is presented to buyers. Further reforms are already scheduled for 2027.

For buyers searching for a conveyancer Melbourne property owners can rely on, understanding these changes alongside the actual transaction costs is an important part of planning a purchase.

This guide brings the major 2026 costs and upcoming Victorian property rules together in one place.

Land Registry Fees Victoria 2026: What Buyers Need to Know

Land Registry fees are charges connected with registering land transactions and obtaining information from Victoria's land registration system.

They are separate from:

• land transfer duty
• conveyancing professional fees
• lender fees
• inspection costs
• other property-related expenses.

Land Services Victoria updates its statutory fees each financial year. The current 2026–27 fee schedule applies from 1/7/2026, with updated charges for transactions, searches and related services.

The 2026–27 fee unit is $17.27, following the annual adjustment under Victoria's fee-unit system.

The amount payable depends on the transaction. A straightforward transfer is not necessarily charged the same way as a transaction involving additional dealings, easements or other registration requirements.

Land Services Victoria also provides a current Transfer of Land Fees Calculator where buyers and their representatives can select the 2026/27 fee structure and relevant transaction details.

That matters because property articles published in previous financial years can contain outdated figures.

Why the 2026 fee update matters

Victoria has been reviewing its land registry fee structure to modernise and simplify fees and to ensure the charges reflect the cost of delivering digital land registry services.

The review proposed changes to the structure of registration and search fees, following a broader examination of the existing system.

The existing statutory regulations were also extended to 17/4/2027, while the annual indexed fees continued to apply from 1/7/2026.

For buyers, the practical point is straightforward: use the current 2026/27 Land Services Victoria fee information rather than relying on an old conveyancing calculator or blog post.

Stamp Duty in Victoria 2026

Land transfer duty, commonly known as stamp duty, is often one of the largest additional costs when purchasing property in Victoria.

The State Revenue Office calculates duty using the property's dutiable value, which is generally the purchase price or market value, whichever is greater.

For general transactions, the current rates are:

Dutiable value	General duty
$0–$25,000	1.4%
More than $25,000–$130,000	$350 + 2.4% of amount over $25,000
More than $130,000–$960,000	$2,870 + 6% of amount over $130,000
More than $960,000–$2 million	5.5%
More than $2 million	$110,000 + 6.5% of amount over $2 million

These are the current general rates published by the Victorian State Revenue Office.

However, the amount you actually pay can be different depending on how the property will be used and whether you qualify for a concession or exemption.

Principal place of residence concessions

Victoria has concessional treatment for eligible properties that will be used as the buyer's principal place of residence.

For qualifying homes valued at $550,000 or less, the principal place of residence concession can reduce the amount of duty payable. The State Revenue Office also states that eligible first-home buyers can pay no duty on homes valued up to $600,000, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements.

For example, the SRO currently illustrates that an eligible principal place of residence worth $550,000 may receive a duty saving of $3,100 under the concession.

This is why simply using the standard stamp duty rate can produce the wrong result for a home buyer.

Other duty considerations

Different rules can apply to:

• first-home buyers
• principal places of residence
• investment properties
• foreign purchasers
• certain commercial or regional property transactions
• specific concession or exemption situations.

For example, the current Victorian foreign purchaser additional duty rate is 8%.

The SRO's online duty calculator can account for several of these factors, including first-home assistance, principal residence concessions and foreign purchaser additional duty.

How Land Registry Fees and Stamp Duty Differ

These two charges are often confused because both arise during a property transaction.

The simplest way to separate them is:

Land transfer duty: a Victorian government tax associated with acquiring dutiable property.

Land Registry fee: a charge associated with registration or land registry services.

Conveyancing fee: the professional fee charged for managing the property transaction.

A buyer could therefore have all three within the same transaction.

Understanding this difference also makes it easier to compare conveyancing quotes. A quoted professional fee is not necessarily the total amount of government and transaction charges you will pay.

What Are Conveyancing Costs in Melbourne?

Conveyancing costs are the professional charges associated with handling the property transaction from contract through to settlement.

The amount varies between providers and depending on the property and transaction involved.

A conveyancing service may include work such as:

• contract and vendor statement review
• title and property searches
• checking transaction requirements
• preparing transfer documentation
• communicating with the other parties
• arranging settlement
• handling relevant government processes
• confirming settlement figures and adjustments.

The important point for buyers is to distinguish the professional conveyancing fee from government charges and disbursements.

A quote that looks cheaper initially may not include every search, registration charge or additional service.

When comparing a conveyancer Melbourne buyers are considering, it is sensible to ask what the quoted fee covers and which costs are additional.

New Victorian Property Rules Coming in 2026

The biggest regulatory development for residential property buyers in 2026 is the upcoming change to Victoria's property sales and underquoting framework.

Most of these new rules begin on 1/10/2026. Their purpose is to improve price transparency, reduce underquoting and give prospective buyers clearer information about residential properties.

These changes are particularly relevant to anyone planning to buy through an auction or fixed-date sale.

Auction reserve prices will become more transparent

Under the new rules, real estate agents must generally publish the seller's reserve price at least 7 days before an auction or fixed-date sale.

The published price must be a single dollar amount.

Agents will not be able to present the reserve using wording or symbols such as:

• “from”
• “over”
• “+”
• “starting at”.

The advertising and relevant property information must also be updated to reflect the reserve.

If the required reserve price has not been published within the specified timeframe, the auction or fixed-date sale cannot proceed.

For buyers, this is a substantial change in how auction expectations are communicated.

The Property Price Statement Will Replace the Statement of Information

Another major change is the introduction of the Property Price Statement (PPS).

The PPS will replace the current Statement of Information and will provide key information about:

• the property being sold
• comparable properties
• relevant pricing information.

It must be displayed prominently in online advertising rather than being difficult to find within a listing.

Where three comparable properties cannot be identified, agents who can identify one or two must include those available comparable properties under the new requirements.

This should make it easier for buyers to assess a property's advertised price against comparable properties rather than relying entirely on an agent's price range.

Sold Prices Will Also Become More Visible

Under the new system, the Property Price Statement must generally be updated with the property's sold price within 7 days after the sale becomes unconditional.

The statement must then remain publicly available for at least 18 months, subject to permitted exemptions.

For buyers, this creates a more useful trail of recent market information.

Someone researching a Melbourne suburb, for example, may have better access to comparable information when assessing a property they are considering purchasing later.

Section 32 Timing Will Change

The reforms do not stop with price advertising.

From 1/6/2027, new requirements will affect when vendors must make the Section 32 statement available.

For auctions and fixed-date sales, the Section 32 must generally be made available at least 14 days before the auction or fixed-date sale.

For private sales, the rules will also introduce specific timing requirements linked to when the property is advertised and when it is sold.

For buyers, this reinforces an important principle: property documents should be reviewed before making an irreversible commitment, especially before an auction.

More Property Industry Changes Are Already Scheduled

Victoria's reforms extend beyond auction advertising.

There are also changes affecting conveyancers and real estate professionals.

For conveyancers, some licence fees change from 25/11/2026, while annual continuing professional development becomes mandatory from 1/4/2027. The new CPD requirements include mandatory activities and written assessments.

Real estate agents and agents' representatives are also subject to new education and registration requirements, including annual CPD from 1/4/2027.

Further property-sales changes are scheduled for 2027, including restrictions on agents taking commission from a deposit released before settlement and future requirements for agents to provide sold-price information to the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria.

What Should Buyers Budget for in Victoria?

A realistic property budget should start with more than the advertised purchase price.

Before making an offer or bidding at auction, consider:

Purchase price
The amount you agree to pay for the property.

Land transfer duty
This depends on the property's dutiable value and your individual circumstances.

Land Registry fees
These cover relevant registration and search services.

Conveyancing costs
The professional cost of managing the transaction.

Searches and disbursements
Depending on the property and transaction, additional searches or third-party costs may apply.

Settlement adjustments
Amounts such as rates and other property-related adjustments can affect the final settlement figure.

Getting these numbers together before signing can provide a much clearer picture of the actual cost of buying.

What This Means for Melbourne Property Buyers

The 2026 property market is not simply about watching house prices.

Buyers also need to understand the transaction costs attached to the purchase and keep up with regulatory changes.

The updated Land Services Victoria fees mean registration and search charges need to be calculated using current 2026–27 information.

Stamp duty remains a major cost, but concessions and exemptions can significantly change the amount payable for eligible buyers.

At the same time, the new auction and pricing rules commencing on 1/10/2026 will change how buyers receive information about reserve prices, comparable properties and advertised pricing.

That makes preparation more important than ever.

Final Thoughts

Land Registry fees are only one piece of the cost of buying property in Victoria.

A buyer needs to consider the full transaction: purchase price, stamp duty, Land Registry charges, conveyancing costs, searches and settlement adjustments.

On top of that, Victoria's new property sales framework introduces important changes around auction reserve prices, Property Price Statements and price transparency from 1/10/2026, followed by further Section 32 and professional-industry changes in 2027.

For Melbourne buyers, the safest approach is to understand these costs and the contract documentation before signing or bidding, rather than trying to resolve questions after the transaction has progressed.

A knowledgeable conveyancer Melbourne buyers choose can help keep the transaction organised, explain the costs involved and coordinate the steps required from contract through to settlement.

Planning to buy property in Melbourne? Get your contract reviewed before you sign.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a conveyancer do?

A conveyancer helps manage the transfer of property from one owner to another. Their work can include reviewing transaction documents, checking title information, preparing transfer documentation and coordinating settlement.

What is conveyancing?

Conveyancing is the process involved in transferring legal ownership of property from the seller to the buyer, including the documentation, searches, settlement and registration steps.

What is a conveyancer?

A conveyancer is a licensed professional who provides conveyancing services relating to property transactions and transfers of title.

What do conveyancers do?

Conveyancers can assist with contract and vendor statement checks, title searches, transfer documentation, settlement coordination and other administrative requirements involved in a property transaction.

Do you need a solicitor when buying a house?

Not every property purchase requires a solicitor. Depending on the transaction, buyers may use a licensed conveyancer or solicitor for assistance with the purchase.

What does a solicitor do?

A solicitor can provide professional services relating to property transactions and may assist with more complex matters depending on the circumstances and their area of practice.

Do you need a conveyancer to buy a house?

A buyer can undertake their own conveyancing in some circumstances, but many buyers engage a conveyancer to help manage the contract, property information, searches, transfer and settlement process.

What are Land Registry fees in Victoria?

Land Registry fees are charges associated with registering property transactions and accessing land registration and search services provided through Victoria's land registry system. Current 2026–27 fees are published by Land Services Victoria.

Are Land Registry fees the same as stamp duty?

No. Land Registry fees relate to registration and search services, while land transfer duty is a Victorian government tax that may apply when property is acquired.

What are the new auction rules in Victoria?

From 1/10/2026, new rules will generally require auction reserve prices to be published at least 7 days before an auction or fixed-date sale, while new Property Price Statement requirements will provide buyers with additional pricing and comparable-property information.

When do the new Section 32 rules start?

The new Section 32 timing requirements are scheduled to apply from 1/6/2027, including earlier availability requirements for auctions and fixed-date sales.

Will conveyancer requirements change in Victoria?

Yes. Some conveyancer fees change from 25/11/2026, while annual continuing professional development requirements begin from 1/4/2027.

How can I calculate stamp duty in Victoria?

The Victorian State Revenue Office provides a land transfer duty calculator that uses the contract date and dutiable value and can account for applicable concessions and exemptions.