Government fees when buying or refinancing a property.
When buying a home or refinancing, there are several government fees that apply no matter which lender you choose. These charges relate to title changes and mortgage registration, and they vary depending on your state or territory.
Understanding these fees early helps you plan your total funds required at settlement. At Lumo, we walk clients through these numbers upfront so there are no surprises.
The main government fees
You may encounter the following charges:
- Mortgage registration fee
- Mortgage discharge fee
- Transfer fee
- Transfer duty (stamp duty)
Mortgage & Title Fees Explained
What is a mortgage registration fee?
A mortgage registration fee is charged by your state or territory government to record your lender’s mortgage on the property title. This legally registers the property as security for the loan.
You’ll pay this fee whenever a new mortgage is created — such as when purchasing or refinancing.
What is a mortgage discharge fee?
There are two different things with this name, and it is worth keeping them apart.
The first is a government fee, charged by the land titles office to remove your old lender’s mortgage from the title. That is the one listed in the table below, and it is payable whenever a mortgage comes off, whether you are refinancing or paying the loan out entirely.
The second is your lender’s own discharge or settlement fee, which covers their administrative work in releasing the security. It is set by the lender, not the government, varies between lenders, and is usually a few hundred dollars. Check your loan contract, or ask us and we’ll find it for you.
Mortgage registration and discharge fees by state
These are the land titles office fees, current for the 2026–27 financial year. Every state and territory re-sets them on 1 July, so if you are reading this after June 2027 treat them as a guide and ask us for the current figure.
New South Wales
- Mortgage registration fee: $182.73
- Mortgage discharge fee: $182.73
NSW is the only state where GST applies to these fees. The amounts above include it.
Victoria
Paper lodgement:
- Mortgage registration fee: $139.50
- Mortgage discharge fee: $139.50
Electronic (PEXA):
- Mortgage registration fee: $129.20
- Mortgage discharge fee: $129.20
Queensland
- Mortgage registration fee: $248.04
- Mortgage discharge fee: $248.04
South Australia
- Mortgage registration fee: $204.00
- Mortgage discharge fee: $204.00
Western Australia
- Mortgage registration fee: $225.10
- Mortgage discharge fee: $225.10
Tasmania
- Mortgage registration fee: $167.58
- Mortgage discharge fee: $207.76
Tasmania is the one place where discharging costs more than registering. That is deliberate, not a misprint — the two are separate items in their fee schedule.
Northern Territory
- Mortgage registration fee: $181.00, plus $71.00 for each additional title
- Mortgage discharge fee: $181.00, plus $71.00 for each additional title
Australian Capital Territory
- Mortgage registration fee: $184.00
- Mortgage discharge fee: $184.00
Your conveyancer will confirm these with the relevant state authority at the time of settlement.
What is a transfer fee?
A transfer fee is charged by the state or territory government to transfer legal ownership of the property to you.
Some states charge a fixed fee.
Others scale the fee based on the purchase price.
States with a fixed transfer fee
- New South Wales
- ACT
- Northern Territory
- Tasmania
States where the fee depends on the property price
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- Western Australia
Your conveyancer will calculate the exact amount payable for your property and contract.
What is transfer duty (stamp duty)?
Transfer duty is a government tax that applies whenever property ownership changes.
It is determined by:
- The state or territory
- The purchase price
- Whether you’re buying to live in or invest
- Whether you qualify for concessions, rebates or first-home benefits
Stamp duty is often the largest government cost associated with the purchase and must be budgeted for early in the process.
Why these fees matter
Government fees form part of your total funds to complete, alongside:
- Your deposit
- Stamp duty
- Transfer fees
- Mortgage registration and discharge fees
- Legal and conveyancing costs
These amounts must be paid at settlement and are not optional, so we always include them in your upfront planning.
Let’s chat.
If you’d like help understanding which government fees apply to your purchase or refinance or want a full funds-to-complete breakdown, we can guide you through it clearly. Let’s chat.
This page provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. Subject to lenders terms and conditions, fees and charges and eligibility criteria apply.