Stamp Duty Relief Now Available for Victim-Survivors of Family Violence in Victoria

New reforms reduce financial barriers for women escaping domestic violence – Queensland should follow suit

Family violence is the leading cause of homelessness among women in Australia. When a woman leaves a violent partner, she often does so with very few resources, sometimes leaving behind everything — her home, possessions, and sense of stability. According to the 2021–22 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Personal Safety Survey, nearly 2 in 3 women (64%) who experienced intimate partner violence while living with a previous partner had to move away from their home when the relationship ended. That equates to around 867,000 women.

To help ease the financial burden for those starting over, the Victorian Government has recently introduced landmark reforms that provide stamp duty and land tax relief for people leaving a relationship due to domestic and family violence.

What has changed?

The State Taxation Acts Amendment Act 2025, which took effect following Royal Assent on 24 June 2025, introduces targeted support:

• Stamp Duty Relief: Victim-survivors who have previously received a first home buyer benefit but had to leave their home due to family violence may now requalify for the First Home Owner Grant and stamp duty exemptions or concessions, even if they previously held a property interest.

• Land Tax Exemption: Individuals who have left their principal place of residence due to domestic violence may be exempt from land tax for up to six years, provided they are not deriving income from the property and are not claiming a similar exemption elsewhere.

These reforms acknowledge the devastating impact of family violence and help remove a significant financial barrier to re-establishing a safe home.

Who is eligible?

To qualify for stamp duty relief, applicants must:

• Have left a previous home because of domestic or family violence;

• Be the sole or joint purchaser of a new property;

• Intend to live in the new property as their principal place of residence for 12 months (this requirement may be waived in some cases); and

• Not benefit financially from the previous property.

For land tax exemption, applicants must have lived in the former home for at least six consecutive months and meet other non-occupancy criteria.

Queensland should adopt similar reforms

As a Queensland-based family law firm, we believe this is exactly the kind of reform needed here. We regularly assist women who have left unsafe or abusive relationships and are facing the enormous challenge of starting again — often without financial security, safe housing, or family support.

At present, there is no equivalent stamp duty exemption or requalification scheme in Queensland. This places victim-survivors at an even greater disadvantage and reinforces the cycle of economic harm caused by domestic violence. We urge the Queensland Government to consider introducing similar measures to provide victim-survivors with the opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity and security.

We’re here to help

At Powell Family Law, we understand the unique challenges faced by victim-survivors of domestic violence — from legal safety planning and protection orders to property settlement and parenting arrangements. Our team is compassionate, strategic, and trauma-informed.

📞 Call us today on (07) 3040 2600
📧 Email: hello@powellfamilylaw.com.au
🌐 Visit us at www.powellfamilylaw.com.au

If you need a safe, knowledgeable legal team on your side, get in touch — you are not alone, and we are here to help.

If you need crisis support, contact:

• 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732
• DVConnect – 1800 811 811 (Women’s Line, 24/7)
• Women’s Legal Service Qld – 1800 957 957 (Mon–Fri, 9am–3pm)