Rates Forms

Ownership Transfer Fee

Cassowary Coast Regional Council charges an ownership transfer fee of $15.00 (valid from 1 July 2020) when a person buys a property. This fee has been incorporated into the Property Search fee. You can apply for exemption from the ownership transfer fee when:

• you transfer ownership to a former spouse/de facto/partner as part of a separation of assets.
• the property goes to the surviving joint tenant/s on the death of other joint tenant/s.
• there is a transfer by consent/direction.
• it is a public trustee transaction.
• it is pursuant to a will intestacy – this occurs when ownership transfer was not made clear in a deceased owner's will.
• an error in an earlier transfer of property needs to be fixed.

The following purchases are not exempt from payment of the ownership transfer fee:

• Purchases made in the name of a trust.
• Purchases made in the name of a company.