Abolishing stamp duty for victims of domestic, family and sexual violence
Victims of domestic, family and sexual violence will be eligible for 100 per cent stamp duty relief and the First Home Owner Grant, even if they had purchased a home previously, under a new ex gratia scheme designed to help vulnerable women leave dangerous situations and re-establish themselves in secure, independent housing.
Domestic, family and sexual violence has been identified as the leading cause of homelessness for women, with 45 per cent of all women and girls who seek homelessness assistance identifying domestic, family or sexual violence as a cause.
A woman leaving a violent partner often does so with very few resources, and sometimes next to none. A 2021–22 Australian Bureau of Statistics Personal Safety Survey suggested nearly two in three women – around 867,000 in total nationally – who experienced intimate partner violence while living with a previous partner had to move away from their home when the relationship ended.
The Malinauskas Government is determined to help ease the financial burden for those in such situations, with the forthcoming 2026-27 State Budget providing funding for practical assistance to help women escaping domestic, family and sexual violence to re-establish safe housing and independence.
Under the ex gratia scheme, applicants may be eligible for 100 per cent stamp duty relief on a new or established home as well as the First Home Owner Grant for eligible new home or vacant land contracts entered into on or after 4 June 2026. For eligible established home contracts, only the full stamp duty relief applies.
Applicants who have vacated a home due to domestic, family or sexual violence are eligible for this scheme if they have not received a material financial benefit from the vacated home and otherwise meet all eligibility requirements that apply to stamp duty relief for first home buyers and/or the First Home Owner Grant in relation to the home they are purchasing or building. This includes living in the new home as a principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least 12 months from settlement or completion of construction. If domestic or family violence prevents an applicant from meeting the 12-month residency requirements, they may still be eligible for support.
Quotes
Attributable to Peter Malinauskas
It’s a sad reality that women escaping domestic, family and sexual violence often end up homeless.
That’s why we are introducing this new support scheme to help vulnerable women set themselves up in their own secure, independent home.
The State Government last year committed to spend $674 million across the next decade responding to a suite of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, including doubling the number of public housing properties to be specifically set aside for those escaping domestic, family and sexual violence.
Now we’re going further and providing real financial assistance to ensure women leaving dangerous, threatening or violent situations have a better opportunity to re-establish themselves in the housing market.
Attributable to Tom Koutsantonis
Domestic, family and sexual violence against women is a scourge of our society, and it is a tragedy often overlooked that escaping such a difficult environment can often mean financial and housing insecurity.
This measure takes away some of the barriers currently in place for women escaping domestic, family and sexual violence.
Attributable to Alice Rolls
Waiving stamp duty costs for those fleeing domestic, family and sexual violence will enable them easier access into the housing market by reducing the tax burden and easing financial pressure more generally.
This, as well as a range of measures outlined in the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, are aimed at levelling the playing field for victims of violence and abuse.
This measure along with the $674 million we’re also spending on the Royal Commission recommendations will have a significant impact in protecting South Australians from the scourge of domestic, family and sexual violence.