The reform aims to unlock housing stock for growing families and entry-level buyers by enabling downsizers to move into smaller units, such as apartments, townhouses, villas, duplexes, and triplexes.

By encouraging downsizing, the plan seeks to free up larger homes in established areas for families and promote more medium- and high-density housing.

The initiative is expected to indirectly free up family-oriented housing by driving downsize moves, addressing a bottleneck in the housing chain.

To incentivize purchases, price thresholds were raised: zero stamp duty up to $800,000, with tapering concessions above $900,000 for off-the-plan purchases; for dwellings bought under construction, concessions reach 75% up to $800,000 and taper to 37.5% above $900,000.

The concession now covers survey-strata dwellings, enabling new apartments, townhomes, villas, and multi-unit properties like duplexes or triplexes.

Overall, stamp duty reform is framed as a lever to boost mobility, increase housing supply, and reduce cost burdens across multiple links of the market.

Concessions were broadened to include under-construction dwellings and survey-strata options, reducing upfront costs for buyers.

Industry impact notes that developers face high costs, and the concession helps make presales and early-stage construction financially feasible, potentially accelerating new projects.

UDIA WA supported the expansion, aligning with its 2026-27 Pre-Budget Submission to back housing supply and affordability.

A 2025 REIWA survey found that 63% of respondents view stamp duty as a significant barrier to downsizing, contributing to fewer listings of larger homes.

Public and industry stakeholders welcomed the measure and anticipate further housing and budget announcements ahead of the May State Budget.

The government extended the off-the-plan stamp duty concession to June 30, 2028, expanding support for downsizers and those seeking medium- to higher-density living.