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?
A mortgage discharge fee is charged by your current lender when you refinance or pay out your home loan. It covers the administrative work required to remove their mortgage from the title.
Exact mortgage registration and discharge fees by state
Below is a Squarespace-friendly list with the exact amounts:
New South Wales
Mortgage registration fee: $175.70
Mortgage discharge fee: $175.70
Victoria
Paper lodgement:
Mortgage registration fee: $135.80
Mortgage discharge fee: $135.80
Electronic (PEXA):
Mortgage registration fee: $125.70
Mortgage discharge fee: $125.70
Queensland
Mortgage registration fee: $238.14
Mortgage discharge fee: $238.14
South Australia
Mortgage registration fee: $198.00
Mortgage discharge fee: $198.00
Western Australia
Mortgage registration fee: $216.60
Mortgage discharge fee: $216.60
Tasmania
Mortgage registration fee: $163.30
Mortgage discharge fee: $202.46
Northern Territory
Mortgage registration fee: $176.00, plus $69.00 for each additional title
Mortgage discharge fee: $176.00, plus $69.00 for each additional title
Australian Capital Territory
Mortgage registration fee: $178.00
Mortgage discharge fee: $178.00
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.