Invest Score

Australian property planning tool

Property buying cost calculator

Estimate the deposit and the less obvious cash costs of buying a house or investment property in Australia—before you make an offer.

Calculate buying costs Model the full investment

How much cash do you need to buy a property?

The purchase price is only one part of the commitment. A useful Australian property buying-cost estimate separates the deposit from transfer duty, legal work, inspections, loan and registration charges, and a settlement buffer. This calculator keeps those assumptions visible so you can replace every default with a quote or official calculation.

Estimated cash required = deposit + transfer duty + professional fees + inspections + finance and registration fees + other purchase costs

Costs to include when buying a house

Deposit and lender requirements

Your deposit is usually the largest cash item. A lower deposit can also introduce lenders mortgage insurance or a low-deposit premium. The calculator does not assume that cost because lender policy, valuation and borrower circumstances vary.

Stamp duty or transfer duty

Transfer duty is administered by each state or territory and can depend on location, price, property use, first-home status, concessions and purchaser status. Use the relevant government calculator, then enter that result here instead of relying on a generic national rate.

Conveyancing, searches and inspections

Budget for a solicitor or conveyancer, title and council searches, and building, pest or strata inspections where relevant. These costs can reveal risks that matter more than the fee itself.

Finance, registration and settlement buffer

Loan application or valuation fees, mortgage registration, transfer registration and settlement adjustments may all affect the cash needed on the day. Keep a separate buffer rather than treating every available dollar as deposit.

Important: this is a planning estimate, not a duty assessment or lending quote. Verify duty with the relevant revenue office and final settlement figures with your conveyancer and lender.

Continue your property cost analysis

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Property buying cost questions

Does the deposit count as an extra buying cost?

The deposit is not a fee—it becomes equity in the property—but it is part of the upfront cash you need. This tool reports the deposit and non-deposit purchase costs separately.

How do I calculate stamp duty in Australia?

Use the official calculator for the state or territory where the property is located. Duty rules are jurisdiction-specific and can change with buyer status, property type and concessions.

What costs are often forgotten when buying a house?

Commonly missed items include conveyancing searches, building and pest reports, strata reports, mortgage and transfer registration, settlement adjustments, lender valuation fees, insurance and an emergency buffer.

Official sources to verify

Content reviewed 26 July 2026. Government rules and rates can change.