First-Home Buyer Grants Australia: Everything You Need to Know

The Australian government is currently offering the most generous combination of first home buyer support in years. A QLD buyer purchasing a $500,000 new home with a 5% deposit can access roughly $55,000 in combined benefits: the $30,000 state grant, a stamp duty saving, and a Lenders Mortgage Insurance waiver, provided they act before 30 June 2026, when the elevated grant expires.¹

That stacking of grants, schemes, and concessions is where the real first home buyer advantage sits in 2026, and it varies significantly by state. This guide maps every scheme currently available nationally, what each one offers, who qualifies, and how they interact with each other, so you know exactly what you’re entitled to before you speak to a lender.

Where the First Home Buyer Opportunity Sits in 2026

Three significant changes since 2024 have reshaped what’s available to first home buyers in Australia. The federal 5% Deposit Scheme removed its income caps and annual place limits from 1 October 2025, meaning any eligible first home buyer can now apply regardless of what they earn.² Help to Buy, a shared equity scheme where the government contributes up to 40% of the purchase price, launched in December 2025.³ And several state grants have been updated, with Queensland’s elevated $30,000 grant set to expire on 30 June 2026.¹

If you’re buying in 2026, these aren’t background details. They’re the difference between entering the market with a 20% deposit you’ve been saving for three years and entering today with 2% to 5%, no LMI, and potentially $10,000 to $30,000 in your pocket from a state grant.

The catch is that the rules vary by state and scheme. Not every buyer qualifies for every scheme. And some schemes can’t be combined with each other. Understanding the landscape before you apply saves you from approaching the wrong lender first. Applying with the wrong lender adds a credit inquiry even when the application is declined.

Not sure which schemes are available to you? We can map your eligibility across all programs before you apply to any lender. Book a free eligibility check.

The First Home Owner Grant: What Each State and Territory Offers

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a one-off, tax-free cash payment from your state or territory government. It was introduced in 2000 to offset the GST impact on new home purchases. The grant applies to new homes, house-and-land packages, off-the-plan purchases, and substantially renovated properties. Established (second-hand) homes don’t qualify for the cash grant in most states, though they may qualify for separate stamp duty concessions.

State/Territory	Grant amount	Property value cap	Key conditions
NSW	$10,000	New home ≤$600,000; land + build ≤$750,000	New builds only. Must move in within 12 months.
VIC	$10,000	New home ≤$750,000	New builds only. Must move in within 12 months.
QLD	$30,000 ⚠️ expires 30 June 2026	New home <$750,000	Contracts must be signed or foundations laid by 30 June 2026. The grant amount after this date has not been confirmed. Verify at Queensland Revenue Office before you rely on this figure.
WA	$10,000	≤$750,000 (south of 26th parallel); ≤$1,000,000 (north) ⚠️ WA Budget (7 May 2026) proposes increasing the southern cap to $800,000, pending parliamentary passage	New builds only. Must occupy the home for at least 6 consecutive months within 12 months of settlement. Always verify the current cap at RevenueWA before committing to a purchase price.
SA	$15,000	New home ≤$650,000	New builds only. Eligibility criteria updated February 2025. Verify at RevenueSA.
TAS	$10,000	No property value cap	New builds only. No value cap applies. One of the most accessible FHOG structures nationally.
ACT	No FHOG	N/A	The ACT abolished its FHOG in 2019 and replaced it with the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, which provides significant stamp duty savings. See the stamp duty section below.
NT	$10,000 (plus $10,000 HomeBuild Access for eligible new builds)	Varies by product	The Territory Home Owner Discount applies to NT purchases in addition to the FHOG.

The FHOG is once-per-lifetime across all states. If you received it in VIC, you can’t claim it again for a WA purchase. All applicants on the purchase must be first home buyers. If one applicant previously owned residential property in Australia, the entire FHOG claim for that purchase is generally ineligible.

QLD buyers should treat the 30 June 2026 deadline as a hard constraint, not an estimate. Contracts signed or foundations laid after that date will likely receive a different grant amount. At the time of writing, the QLD Government has not confirmed what replaces the $30,000. If you’re buying in Queensland, your contract timing determines which amount applies.

The Federal 5% Deposit Scheme (No Income Caps, No Place Limits)

The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (previously the First Home Guarantee) lets eligible first home buyers purchase with a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. The federal government guarantees the remaining 15% of the property value to the lender, so you’re borrowing at 95% LVR without the LMI cost that normally applies above 80%.

From 1 October 2025, the scheme was significantly expanded:²

• No income caps. Previous limits of $125,000 for singles and $200,000 for couples were removed entirely.
• No annual place limits. The scheme previously allocated a fixed number of places each year. Any eligible first home buyer can now apply.
• Higher property price caps. Caps were increased across all states and regions. Sydney now sits at $1,500,000. WA caps: $850,000 in Perth and regional centres, $600,000 in the rest of WA.

Key eligibility requirements: you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years old, intend to live in the property as your main residence, and not currently own property in Australia (with an exception for buyers who haven’t owned property in the past 10 years). The scheme applies through participating lenders. You can’t apply directly to Housing Australia.

Consider a first home buyer in Perth purchasing an $800,000 property. With the federal scheme, a 5% deposit is $40,000. Without it, the standard 20% deposit would be $160,000, and they’d also face LMI of $20,000 to $30,000 on a 95% LVR loan. That’s $140,000 to $150,000 in deposit burden removed, plus the LMI waiver.

If you want to know whether the properties you’re looking at qualify under the scheme caps for your area, book a free eligibility check and we’ll confirm before you apply anywhere.

The Single Parent Scheme: 2% Deposit for Eligible Single Parents

The Single Parent Scheme (the Single Parent Stream of the federal 5% Deposit Scheme, previously the Family Home Guarantee) lets eligible single parents or legal guardians with a dependent child purchase with a 2% deposit. The federal government guarantees up to 18% of the property value, so the lender can offer 98% LVR without LMI.

Unlike the main 5% Deposit Scheme, this stream doesn’t require you to be a first home buyer. If you previously owned property with a former partner and are now single with a dependent, you may still qualify.

The same WA property price caps apply: $850,000 in Perth and regional centres, $600,000 in the rest of WA. An income threshold applies to the Single Parent Scheme, separate from the main scheme which removed income caps. Verify the current threshold with Housing Australia or a participating lender before applying.²

For WA buyers, this scheme is worth comparing directly against Keystart. Both allow a 2% deposit with no LMI. The Single Parent Scheme is delivered through participating mainstream lenders and typically offers a more competitive interest rate than Keystart’s standard variable. The right choice depends on your income level, the property price, and how your application profiles across lenders.

Help to Buy: The Shared Equity Option Launched December 2025

Help to Buy launched on 5 December 2025 as Australia’s first national shared equity scheme.³ The concept is different from the 5% Deposit Scheme. Instead of guaranteeing your loan, the government co-purchases part of the property with you. That reduces the amount you need to borrow, lowers your repayments, and requires only a 2% deposit.

The government contributes up to 40% of the purchase price for new homes, or up to 30% for existing homes. When you sell, you repay the government’s share of the proceeds at the value at time of sale. If the property grows in value, the government benefits from that growth proportionally.

Key eligibility criteria:³

• Annual taxable income at or below $100,000 (singles) or $160,000 (couples and single parents)
• Australian citizen, at least 18 years old
• Cannot own property in Australia or overseas at time of application
• Must live in the home as your principal residence while in the scheme
• 10,000 places per year (40,000 over four years nationally)

Perth price cap under Help to Buy: $850,000.³ Tasmania has not yet passed the enabling legislation to participate. All other states and territories are included.

One critical distinction: Help to Buy cannot be combined with the federal 5% Deposit Scheme. You pick one or the other. If your income is below $100,000 and you’re comfortable with shared equity, Help to Buy may give you the lowest entry point. If your income is above $100,000, Help to Buy isn’t available and the 5% Deposit Scheme is your federal pathway.

Stamp Duty Concessions: What Each State and Territory Offers

Stamp duty (transfer duty) is often the second-largest upfront cost after the deposit. Most states offer first home buyers either a full exemption, a concession, or both. In some states, the stamp duty saving exceeds the FHOG cash payment.

State/Territory	Full exemption up to	Concession up to	Notes
NSW	$800,000	$1,000,000	Applies to new and existing homes. At $800,000, saves approximately $30,000 compared to standard rates.
VIC	$600,000	$750,000	Full exemption on new and existing homes. Sliding concession applies above $600,000.
QLD	Full concession on new homes ≤$700,000	Sliding scale to $800,000	First home concession also available on existing homes. Check Queensland Revenue Office for current thresholds before purchasing.
WA	$500,000 (Metro/Peel and Regional) ⚠️ WA Budget (7 May 2026) proposes increase to $600,000, pending parliamentary passage	$700,000 (Metro/Peel); $750,000 (Regional) ⚠️ WA Budget proposes increase to $800,000 Metro, pending parliamentary passage	Applies to established homes and new builds. WA buyers can combine the FHOG with the stamp duty concession on eligible new builds. See the full WA stamp duty guide for worked examples. Verify current and proposed thresholds at RevenueWA before signing any contract.
SA	No general stamp duty exemption for FHBs	N/A	SA first home buyers can access the $15,000 FHOG on new builds, but there is no separate stamp duty concession for first home buyers on existing properties.
TAS	$750,000 (existing homes) ⚠️ expires 30 June 2026	N/A	100% duty exemption for existing homes settled between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026. Verify current status at the State Revenue Office Tasmania before relying on this concession.
ACT	Up to $1,000,000 (income limits apply)	N/A	The Home Buyer Concession Scheme provides full stamp duty exemption for eligible buyers. Income thresholds apply. This replaced the ACT’s FHOG entirely in 2019.
NT	50% discount on homes ≤$650,000	N/A	Territory Home Owner Discount applies in addition to the 50% stamp duty discount.

For WA buyers, the current stamp duty concession thresholds (full exemption up to $500,000, concession to $700,000 in Metro/Peel and $750,000 in Regional WA) leave most Perth metro buyers outside the concession window. Perth median values now sit well above $700,000 in most suburbs. New builds and house-and-land packages priced within the FHOG value cap offer the best chance of accessing both the grant and a stamp duty saving simultaneously.

The WA Government announced proposed threshold increases in the 7 May 2026 Budget: full exemption rising to $600,000 and the concession extending to $800,000 (Metro). These are subject to the parliamentary process and are not yet law as of the date of this article. Don’t structure your purchase budget around the proposed figures until they are formally enacted. Check RevenueWA for the current status before you commit to a contract. For the full WA breakdown with worked dollar examples, see our WA Stamp Duty guide.

How to Stack Schemes: What Can and Can’t Be Combined

Combination	Can you stack?	Notes
FHOG + Federal 5% Deposit Scheme	Yes	The most common combination. FHOG provides cash; the scheme provides LMI-free low-deposit access.
FHOG + Stamp Duty Concession	Yes	Both apply independently through different government programs. Most eligible FHB purchases access both.
Federal 5% Scheme + Stamp Duty Concession	Yes	Federal scheme and state concessions sit at different government levels. Stack freely where eligible.
FHOG + Help to Buy	Yes	The FHOG is a state grant; Help to Buy is a federal shared equity program. Compatible.
Federal 5% Scheme + Help to Buy	No	Mutually exclusive federal programs. You choose one or the other before approaching a lender.
Keystart (WA) + Federal 5% Scheme	No	Keystart is a direct lender, not a panel lender for the federal scheme. You apply through one or the other.
FHOG + First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS)	Yes	The FHSS lets you save up to $50,000 inside super at concessional tax rates for your first home deposit. Compatible with state grants and federal schemes.

What Catches First Home Buyers Out

The QLD $30,000 grant has a hard deadline. Contracts must be signed or foundations laid by 30 June 2026. If you’re buying a new build in Queensland and the contract isn’t executed by that date, you won’t receive the $30,000. The replacement amount hasn’t been confirmed at the time of writing. Act on the timeline, not on intention.

WA stamp duty thresholds are changing, but the changes aren’t law yet. The WA Government’s 7 May 2026 Budget announced proposed threshold increases: full exemption rising from $500,000 to $600,000, and the Metro/Peel concession extending from $700,000 to $800,000. The FHOG cap (currently $750,000 south of the 26th parallel) is also proposed to increase to $800,000 and be delinked from stamp duty eligibility. None of these changes take effect until parliament passes the enabling legislation. Don’t plan your purchase price around proposed figures until that happens. Check RevenueWA directly for the current status.

Tasmania’s stamp duty exemption also expires 30 June 2026. The 100% duty exemption on existing homes valued up to $750,000 applies only to contracts settled by 30 June 2026. TAS buyers should verify the current status with the State Revenue Office Tasmania before signing.

Established homes don’t qualify for the FHOG in most states. The cash grant almost universally applies only to new builds, off-the-plan purchases, and substantially renovated properties. A buyer who plans their budget around the FHOG and then chooses an established home often discovers the grant isn’t available to them after the fact.

Help to Buy and the federal 5% Deposit Scheme are mutually exclusive. Choosing one rules out the other entirely. Help to Buy suits buyers with income below $100,000 who are comfortable with shared equity. The 5% Scheme suits buyers who want full ownership from day one or earn above the Help to Buy income cap.

The ACT has no FHOG. It was abolished in 2019. ACT buyers access the Home Buyer Concession Scheme (a significant stamp duty saving) instead of a cash grant. The stamp duty saving in the ACT can be substantial for eligible buyers, but it requires meeting separate income thresholds.

All applicants on the purchase must meet the eligibility criteria. If you’re buying with a partner, sibling, or friend, every person on the contract must qualify as a first home buyer. One applicant having previously owned residential property in Australia generally invalidates the entire FHOG claim for that purchase.

Applying with the wrong lender first can affect your credit file. The federal 5% Deposit Scheme and Help to Buy are only available through Housing Australia’s participating lender panel. Applying with a non-panel lender means you miss the scheme benefits and pick up a credit inquiry. Confirm which lenders are on the panel before you apply anywhere.

Your Next Steps

1. Confirm your state’s FHOG eligibility before you commit to a property type. New build versus established home is the first decision that determines your grant eligibility. Most state grants don’t apply to established properties.
2. Check the QLD and TAS deadlines if they apply to you. Both the QLD $30,000 FHOG and the TAS stamp duty exemption on existing homes expire 30 June 2026. If you’re buying in either state, your contract timing is a financial decision.
3. Decide between the federal 5% Scheme and Help to Buy before approaching any lender. They’re mutually exclusive. Your income level, ownership preference, and the number of available Help to Buy places all factor into the decision. Confirm your position before your first lender conversation.
4. Verify your stamp duty position separately from the FHOG. The two programs operate independently and apply to different property types in some states. Confirm both before you sign a contract.
5. Check your deposit is structured as genuine savings. Most participating lenders require the deposit to meet their genuine savings definition, typically held in your account for at least three months. A gifted deposit may not automatically qualify without additional documentation.
6. Apply through a scheme-participating lender, not any lender. The federal 5% Deposit Scheme and Help to Buy can only be accessed through the Housing Australia panel. A non-panel lender can’t deliver these schemes regardless of how they market their first home buyer products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the FHOG for an established home?

In most states and territories, no. The FHOG applies to new builds, off-the-plan purchases, and substantially renovated properties. Established homes generally don’t qualify for the cash grant, though they may qualify for separate stamp duty concessions in your state. Always confirm with your state’s revenue office before assuming eligibility.

Can I combine multiple grants and schemes?

Yes, in many cases. The FHOG, stamp duty concessions, and the federal 5% Deposit Scheme can generally be combined. The First Home Super Saver Scheme is also compatible. The exception is Help to Buy, which can’t be combined with the federal 5% Deposit Scheme. You choose one federal pathway or the other.

What’s the difference between the federal 5% Scheme and Help to Buy?

The 5% Deposit Scheme guarantees part of your loan so you can borrow with a 5% deposit and avoid LMI, while you own 100% of the property from day one. Help to Buy is a shared equity scheme where the government co-purchases up to 40% of the property. You own the remaining share, need only a 2% deposit, but must repay the government’s share when you sell. Help to Buy has income caps ($100,000 singles, $160,000 couples and single parents). The 5% Scheme has no income caps since October 2025.

Do all applicants on the purchase need to be first home buyers?

For the FHOG and most government schemes, yes. If any applicant on the contract has previously owned residential property in Australia, FHOG eligibility is generally lost for the entire purchase. The exception is the Single Parent Scheme, where eligible single parents don’t need to be first home buyers.

When does the QLD $30,000 FHOG expire?

The $30,000 Queensland First Home Owner Grant applies to contracts signed or foundations laid by 30 June 2026. After this date, the grant amount and conditions are expected to change, though no replacement amount has been confirmed at the time of writing. Your contract execution date determines which grant amount applies. Check the Queensland Revenue Office for current conditions before you commit to a build contract or purchase price.

Can I use the First Home Super Saver Scheme with other grants?

Yes. The FHSS lets you make voluntary superannuation contributions up to a total of $50,000 and withdraw those contributions and associated earnings when buying your first home. The tax advantage inside super can accelerate deposit savings significantly. The FHSS is compatible with state FOHGs, federal scheme eligibility, and stamp duty concessions.

This article contains general information only and does not constitute financial or credit advice. It does not take into account your personal financial situation, objectives, or needs. Government scheme rules, grant amounts, income thresholds, and property price caps change frequently. Some changes noted in this article are proposals subject to the parliamentary process and are not yet law. Before acting on any information in this article, you should consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and seek professional advice from a licensed mortgage broker or financial adviser. Scheme eligibility is confirmed at the time of application through the relevant state revenue office or Housing Australia. Broker360 Pty Ltd is not responsible for any actions taken based solely on the content of this article. Information is accurate as of May 2026 and is subject to change.

Sources

1. Queensland Revenue Office, First Home Owner Grant, eligibility and amounts. qro.qld.gov.au. $30,000 grant applies to contracts signed or foundations laid between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026, for new homes valued under $750,000. Amount and conditions after 30 June 2026 subject to change. Combined benefit figure (~$55,778 on a $500,000 new home in QLD) sourced from Money.com.au analysis, April 2026.
2. Housing Australia, Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, including expansion from 1 October 2025. housingaustralia.gov.au; Australian Government First Home Buyers website, firsthomebuyers.gov.au. Income caps and annual place limits removed 1 October 2025. WA property price caps: $850,000 Perth and regional centres, $600,000 rest of WA. Single Parent Scheme income threshold to be verified directly with Housing Australia or a participating lender. Subject to change.
3. Housing Australia, Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme. firsthomebuyers.gov.au. Scheme launched 5 December 2025. Government contributes up to 40% (new homes) or 30% (existing homes). Income thresholds: $100,000 singles, $160,000 couples and single parents. 10,000 places per year (40,000 total over four years). Tasmania pending enabling legislation. Perth property price cap: $850,000. Subject to change.
4. State and territory FHOG amounts and stamp duty concessions. Revenue NSW (revenue.nsw.gov.au); State Revenue Office Victoria (sro.vic.gov.au); Queensland Revenue Office (qro.qld.gov.au); RevenueWA (wa.gov.au); RevenueSA (revenuesa.sa.gov.au); State Revenue Office Tasmania; ACT Revenue Office. WA stamp duty current thresholds (full exemption $500,000; concession $700,000 Metro/Peel, $750,000 Regional) effective from 21 March 2025. WA Budget (7 May 2026) proposes increases to $600,000 (exemption) and $800,000 (Metro concession); FHOG cap proposed increase to $800,000, all subject to parliamentary passage. All figures accurate as of May 2026 and subject to state budget changes. Verify current thresholds directly with the relevant state revenue office before committing to a purchase.

Every scheme has a deadline, a threshold, or a rule that catches buyers who didn’t plan around it. A free eligibility check before you apply to any lender is the fastest way to make sure you’re not one of them. Book here.