First Home Buyer Grants in Australia: What You're Entitled To

Quick Answer

First home buyers in Australia may be eligible for a combination of grants, stamp duty concessions and federal government guarantee schemes. The main supports are the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG), state-based stamp duty exemptions or reductions, and the federal First Home Guarantee (FHBG). What you qualify for depends on your state, purchase price, income and whether you have owned property before.

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

The FHOG is a one-off cash payment from state and territory governments to eligible first home buyers who are building or buying a new home. It does not apply to established (previously occupied) homes in most states.

The grant amount varies by state:

NSW: $10,000 for new homes valued up to $600,000 (or $750,000 for house-and-land packages)
Victoria: $10,000 for new homes in metropolitan areas; $20,000 in regional areas
Queensland: $30,000 for new homes valued under $750,000 (increased rate as of 2024)
Western Australia: $10,000 for new homes valued under $750,000
South Australia: $15,000 for new homes valued under $650,000
Tasmania: $30,000 for new homes valued under $750,000 (as at 2026)
ACT: No FHOG — replaced by land tax concessions
NT: $10,000 for new or established homes (one of the few states covering established properties)

These figures are subject to change. Always verify current amounts and eligibility criteria with your state revenue office or a conveyancer before making decisions based on them.

Stamp Duty Concessions for First Home Buyers

Stamp duty is one of the largest upfront costs of buying property, and most states offer some form of relief for first home buyers:

NSW: Full exemption for first home buyers purchasing properties up to $800,000. Concessional rates apply up to $1,000,000. Must be used as a principal place of residence.

Victoria: Full exemption for properties up to $600,000. Scaled concession applies up to $750,000. Must be a principal place of residence.

Queensland: Concessional rate for first home buyers on properties up to $550,000 for established homes, and up to $800,000 for new homes.

Western Australia: Concessional threshold for first home buyers on properties up to $430,000 for established homes and $400,000 for vacant land.

South Australia: No general first home buyer stamp duty concession as at 2026.

ACT: The ACT is transitioning away from stamp duty toward an annual land tax model. First home buyer concessions apply under the transition scheme.

Thresholds and conditions change. Your conveyancer will confirm the current rules for your state and purchase.

The First Home Guarantee (FHBG)

The First Home Guarantee is a federal government scheme that allows eligible first home buyers to purchase a property with as little as a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). The government guarantees up to 15% of the loan.

Key eligibility criteria (as at 2026):

Australian citizen or permanent resident
First home buyer (have not previously owned or co-owned property in Australia)
Income caps apply: $125,000 for singles, $200,000 for couples (combined)
Property price caps vary by location — metropolitan areas have higher caps than regional ones

Places are limited each financial year and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis through participating lenders. If you think you qualify, speak to a broker early to secure a place before they fill.

The Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee

A variant of the FHBG specifically for buyers purchasing in regional areas. Operates under similar terms — 5% minimum deposit, no LMI, government guarantee — but with property price caps set for regional markets.

The Family Home Guarantee

This scheme supports single parents and legal guardians with at least one dependent child. It allows eligible buyers to purchase with as little as a 2% deposit without paying LMI. It applies to both first home buyers and previous home owners who do not currently own property.

The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS)

The FHSS allows eligible buyers to withdraw voluntary super contributions to use as part of their deposit. Up to $50,000 in voluntary contributions can be withdrawn for this purpose (as at 2026), with tax advantages compared to saving outside super.

The FHSS has tax implications and rules around what counts as eligible contributions. Speak with a financial adviser before using this strategy.

What to Do First

With multiple schemes potentially available to you, the right order of steps is:

Check whether you meet the eligibility criteria for the FHBG — do this early, before you start actively searching
Confirm your state's current FHOG amount and eligibility conditions
Calculate your stamp duty liability with and without the first home buyer concession
Consider whether the FHSS is worth using given your super balance and timeline
Speak to a mortgage broker about incorporating available grants and schemes into your borrowing plan

Realistic Example

Amy is a Sydney-based first home buyer with a $78,000 income. She plans to buy a new apartment valued at $580,000.

She qualifies for: the NSW FHOG ($10,000 for a new build), full stamp duty exemption (saving approximately $21,335), and the First Home Guarantee (5% deposit without LMI). Her effective deposit requirement drops significantly because she avoids both LMI and stamp duty.

Amy confirms these entitlements with her conveyancer and broker before signing any contract. She lodges the FHOG application with her lender at the time of the loan application.

Checklist: First Home Buyer Grants and Schemes

Check eligibility for the First Home Guarantee through Housing Australia's website
Confirm your state's FHOG amount and whether it applies to your property type (new vs established)
Calculate your stamp duty saving under the first home buyer concession for your state
Check whether the FHSS is worth using — speak to a financial adviser first
Engage a mortgage broker who is familiar with government guarantee schemes
Lodge the FHOG application at the right time — typically through your lender at loan application
Keep records of all applications and correspondence in case of audit

Key Takeaways

First home buyers may access the FHOG (new builds only in most states), stamp duty concessions and the federal First Home Guarantee
The FHBG allows a 5% deposit without LMI — places are limited each year
Grant amounts and concession thresholds vary by state and change over time — always verify current figures
Multiple schemes can be stacked, but each has its own eligibility conditions
A broker and conveyancer experienced with first home buyer entitlements will help you maximise what you are eligible for

FAQ

Can I use the FHOG to buy an established home? In most states, the FHOG only applies to new or substantially renovated homes. The NT is a notable exception where it also covers established homes. Check your state's rules carefully.

Can I use the FHBG and the FHOG at the same time? Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria for both. They are separate schemes and can be used together for eligible new home purchases.

Does the FHBG affect how much I can borrow? No. The FHBG reduces the deposit you need and eliminates LMI, but it does not change your borrowing capacity. Your lender will still assess serviceability based on your income and expenses.

What happens if I do not move into the property as my principal place of residence? Most state grants and stamp duty concessions require you to live in the property as your primary residence for a minimum period (typically six to twelve months). Renting it out immediately may require you to repay the grant or concession. Check the conditions carefully before purchasing.

Start Your Property Search on Marketli

Understanding what you are entitled to as a first home buyer can significantly change your effective budget. Use Marketli to research suburbs and property types within your updated price range before you start attending inspections.