Investors · Owner-Occupiers · First Home Buyers
Off the Plan Property Australia Wide
Anyone can buy a property. We help identify property worthy of your investment dollars.
Secure a brand-new apartment, townhouse or house and land at today’s price, typically with a 10% deposit and the balance on completion, plus stamp duty savings in several states.
Image: John Robert McPherson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (converted to black and white)
What it means
Buy Now, Settle When It’s Built
Buying off the plan means signing a contract before the property is built, or while it’s under construction. You lock in the price and the property, pay a deposit, and settle when it’s complete.
It applies to apartments, townhouses and house and land on new estates where the land hasn’t titled yet.
10% deposit, balance on completion
How Buying Off the Plan Works
From contract to keys, there are three stages.
Sign & pay the deposit
Typically a 10% deposit, sometimes 5%, held in trust. Some buyers use a deposit bond instead of cash.
Construction
Usually 12 months to three years, depending on the project. No loan repayments on the balance while it’s being built, giving you time to save and grow your income.
Settle on completion
The balance is paid at completion, when your finance is approved against the finished property.
Finance is assessed at settlement, not when you sign. With the cash rate at 4.60% and APRA limiting high debt-to-income lending since 1 February 2026, get pre-approval advice early and keep a buffer. Read: APRA lending changes 2026 and your borrowing capacity
The advantages
Why Buy Off the Plan?
Done well, buying off the plan combines the benefits of a brand-new property with time on your side.
Today’s price
Lock in the price now. If the market rises during construction, you may have equity before you settle.
Time to save
Typically only the deposit is paid upfront. The balance isn’t due until completion, giving you time to save and grow your income.
Stamp duty savings
Several states reduce or remove stamp duty on off-the-plan purchases. See the table below.
Depreciation & negative gearing
Full capital works and plant and equipment deductions, and new builds keep access to negative gearing after the 2026–27 Budget changes.
Brand new, with warranties
Statutory builder warranties, a 7-star energy rating and low maintenance in the early years.
First pick
Buying early often means the best positions, outlooks and floor plans, and the chance to choose finishes.
Stamp duty
Off-the-Plan Stamp Duty Savings by State
Depending on where you buy and who you are, buying off the plan can cut stamp duty significantly or remove it altogether.
| State | Off-the-plan & new build stamp duty savings | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | Temporary off-the-plan concession for apartments, units and townhouses in strata developments: duty is reduced by the construction yet to be completed. Open to investors as well as owner-occupiers, no value cap, for contracts signed from 21 October 2024 and before 21 April 2027. | All buyers |
| Western Australia | Off-the-plan concession for apartments, townhouses, units and villas in strata schemes: 100% up to $800,000 for pre-construction contracts, phasing to 50% at $900,000 (capped at $50,000). Extended to 30 June 2028. | All buyers |
| Queensland | First home buyers pay no transfer duty on a new home or off-the-plan purchase, with no value cap. | First home buyers |
| South Australia | First home buyers pay no stamp duty on new homes and off-the-plan apartments. Eligible downsizers aged 60+ also receive relief on new homes. | First home buyers & downsizers |
| New South Wales | Owner-occupiers can defer duty on off-the-plan purchases for up to 15 months. First home buyers pay no duty up to $800,000. | Owner-occupiers & first home buyers |
| ACT | Owner-occupiers buying off-the-plan or new unit-titled homes pay no duty, with no value cap from 1 July 2026. | Owner-occupiers |
Victoria’s and WA’s concessions are among the most generous for investors. Victorian buyers can also read our guide to stamp duty in Victoria. Tasmania and the Northern Territory currently have no dedicated off-the-plan concession. Rules, eligibility and dates change: always confirm with your conveyancer or state revenue office before you sign.
Buyer protections
Cooling-Off Periods & Protections
Each state protects off-the-plan buyers differently. Always have a solicitor or conveyancer review the contract before you sign.
| State | Cooling-off period | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 10 business days for off-the-plan | Disclosure statement required. Deposits held in trust. Sunset clauses can’t be used without your consent or a Supreme Court order. |
| Victoria | 3 business days | Developers need your consent or a Supreme Court order to use a sunset clause. |
| Queensland | 5 business days | Disclosure statement required for community titles schemes. |
| ACT | 5 business days | Penalty for cooling off is generally 0.25% of the price. |
| Northern Territory | 4 business days | No forfeit fee generally applies. |
| South Australia | 2 business days | Small penalty may be deducted from the deposit. |
| Western Australia | None automatic | Ask for a cooling-off or finance clause to be included in the contract. |
The ten-year rule
A home built today will be ten years old in a decade. The one next door, built ten years ago, will then be twenty.
That age gap never closes. It shows up in maintenance bills, energy costs, depreciation and the rent a tenant is willing to pay.
What to watch
Not Every Off-the-Plan Project Is Worth Buying
These are the questions we ask before recommending any off-the-plan property.
- Valuation at settlement. Banks value the finished property. If it values below the contract price, you fund the gap.
- Your finance at completion. Borrowing rules and rates can change between signing and settlement. Keep a buffer.
- Developer and builder. Track record, financial strength and defects history matter more than the display suite.
- Sunset clauses. Understand the completion date and what happens to your deposit if it’s missed.
- Supply in the area. Large pipelines of similar stock can hold back rents and prices.
- Changes to the plans. Check what the developer can change, such as size, finishes and parking.
- Owner-occupier appeal. Projects that appeal to owner-occupiers tend to hold value better.
- Strategy first. Off the plan is a way of buying, not a strategy. It has to fit your goals.
Read: Off the plan market insights · How to identify an investment-grade property
Where we can help
Off the Plan Across Australia
We research selected markets across the country. Start with the state or region that fits your strategy.
Read more
Questions
Off the Plan FAQs
What does buying off the plan mean?
You sign a contract to buy a property before it is built, or while it is under construction, usually paying a deposit of around 10% and the balance when the property is completed.
How much deposit do I need to buy off the plan?
Typically 10% of the purchase price, held in a trust account until settlement. Some developers accept 5%, and some buyers use a deposit bond instead of cash.
Is there a cooling-off period on off-the-plan contracts?
In most states, yes. In NSW it is 10 business days for off-the-plan contracts. Victoria has 3 business days, Queensland and the ACT 5, the NT 4 and South Australia 2. WA has no automatic cooling-off period. Conditions and penalties apply.
What is a sunset clause?
A sunset clause lets either party end the contract if the property isn’t finished by a set date. NSW and Victoria now restrict developers from using sunset clauses without the buyer’s consent or a Supreme Court order.
What happens if the property values below the price I paid?
Your lender lends against the valuation at settlement, so you would need to fund any shortfall. Buying the right property, from the right developer, at the right price reduces this risk.
Do I save stamp duty buying off the plan?
Often. Victoria and Western Australia offer off-the-plan concessions investors can use, while Queensland, South Australia, NSW and the ACT offer savings mainly for first home buyers or owner-occupiers.
Make an enquiry
Find Your Off-the-Plan Property
Tell us where you’d like to live or invest, your budget and the type of property you’re considering. We’ll come back to you with projects worth considering.
- No obligation
- Investors, owner-occupiers and first home buyers
- New and off-the-plan, selected developments
- Selected locations Australia wide
Off the Plan Enquiry
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Anyone can buy a property
We Help Identify Property Worthy of Your Investment Dollars
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General information only. properT network does not provide personal financial, legal, tax or lending advice. Grants, stamp duty, lending, planning and tax rules vary by state and change over time. Property investment carries risk, including the risk of loss. Seek independent professional advice before making any decision.
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