Australian first home buyers in 2026 can access three federal schemes, the First Home Guarantee (5% deposit, no LMI), Help to Buy (shared equity up to 40% on new homes), and the First Home Super Saver Scheme, plus state-based First Home Owner Grants and stamp duty concessions that vary by location. Queensland currently offers the highest combined benefit for new-home buyers. New South Wales offers the strongest stamp duty exemption for established homes.
Combined benefits can exceed $70,000 for eligible buyers. A first home buyer purchasing a new $700,000 home in Brisbane before 30 June 2026 can stack the $30,000 Queensland FHOG, $0 stamp duty (saving ~$20,000), and the First Home Guarantee (saving ~$20,000-$28,000 in LMI). NT buyers building new can access a $50,000 HomeGrown Territory Grant until September 2026.
$50,000
Highest State Grant (NT)
HomeGrown Territory Grant for new builds until 30 Sept 2026
5%
Minimum Deposit
Via First Home Guarantee, no LMI payable, no income caps
$1.5M
Sydney Price Cap
Highest First Home Guarantee price cap in the country
Three federal schemes are available to eligible first home buyers regardless of which state you live in.
5% deposit, no Lenders Mortgage Insurance, no income caps, unlimited places.
The First Home Guarantee allows eligible first home buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance, saving $15,000-$35,000 depending on purchase price. As of 1 October 2025, income caps were removed and place limits were scrapped. Any eligible first home buyer can access the scheme.
Property price caps (2025-26):
| Location | Price Cap |
|---|---|
| Sydney (NSW) | $1,500,000 |
| Rest of NSW | $800,000 |
| Melbourne (VIC) | $950,000 |
| Rest of VIC | $650,000 |
| Brisbane (QLD) | $1,000,000 |
| Rest of QLD | $700,000 |
| Perth (WA) | $850,000 |
| Rest of WA | $600,000 |
| Adelaide (SA) | $900,000 |
| Rest of SA | $500,000 |
| ACT | $1,020,000 |
| NT & TAS | $600,000 |
Applications go through participating lenders, not directly to Housing Australia. A mortgage broker accredited with participating lenders will submit the application as part of your home loan.
Government shared equity scheme, up to 40% on new homes, 30% on established.
Help to Buy is a shared equity scheme where the federal government co-purchases your home with you. The government contributes up to 40% of the purchase price for new homes, or 30% for established homes, significantly reducing the loan amount and monthly repayments.
Who is eligible:
10,000 places per year (40,000 over four years). Currently available through Commonwealth Bank and Bank Australia, with more lenders joining during 2026. The trade-off: the government owns a share of your home and participates in capital growth.
Save up to $50,000 inside super at a lower tax rate for your deposit.
The FHSS allows you to make voluntary contributions to your superannuation fund and withdraw them, plus associated earnings, to use as part of your first home deposit. Contributions are taxed at 15% inside super (vs your marginal tax rate outside super), saving roughly $2,925 in tax on a $15,000 contribution for someone on $100,000 salary.
Select your state or territory to see the specific grants, stamp duty treatment, and scheme combinations available.
$30,000
For contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026. New homes only, valued under $750,000. One of the highest state grants in the country.
No stamp duty on new homes (no price cap)
Full concession on established homes under $700,000, partial concession to $800,000.
A first home buyer purchasing a new $700,000 home in Brisbane can access approximately $50,000-$70,000 in combined benefits: $30,000 FHOG + $0 stamp duty + First Home Guarantee (no LMI). After 30 June 2026 the grant reverts to $15,000.
First home buyers building new or purchasing new homes under $750,000 before 30 June 2026.
The real value comes from combining schemes. Most first home buyers can stack federal and state benefits simultaneously.
We've used Queensland as the example below because it currently offers the highest combined benefit in the country. The stacking principle applies to every state, only the specific dollar amounts differ based on which FHOG, stamp duty treatment, and price caps apply in your location.
Sarah and Tom are first home buyers purchasing a new $700,000 home in Brisbane with a 5% deposit ($35,000). Here's what they access:
| Scheme | Benefit | Value |
|---|---|---|
| QLD First Home Owner Grant | Cash grant for new home under $750K | $30,000 |
| QLD Stamp Duty Exemption | Zero stamp duty on new homes (no cap) | $20,225 |
| First Home Guarantee | Avoids Lenders Mortgage Insurance on 5% deposit | $20,000-$28,000 |
| TOTAL COMBINED BENEFIT | $70,225-$78,225 |
This example assumes contracts signed before 30 June 2026 (the Queensland $30K grant deadline). After this date, the grant reverts to $15,000 and the total benefit reduces by $15,000.
Your exact benefit depends on your state, purchase price, and whether you're buying new or established. Contact us for a personalised calculation specific to your situation.
Several schemes have expiry or reversion dates that materially change the value available.
30 June 2026, Queensland $30,000 FHOG reverts to $15,000
Contracts signed after this date receive the lower grant amount, a $15,000 difference for the same property.
30 June 2026, Tasmania established home stamp duty exemption expires
100% duty exemption on established homes up to $750,000 requires settlement by this date unless extended.
30 September 2026, NT $50,000 HomeGrown Grant available
New-home contracts signed before this date. No confirmation yet whether the grant continues afterward.
October 2026, Victorian off-the-plan stamp duty concession ends
Off-the-plan new apartment concession expiring, off-the-plan purchasers should settle before this date.
Australian first home buyers in 2026 can access three federal schemes (First Home Guarantee, Help to Buy, First Home Super Saver Scheme) and state-based support that varies by location. The First Home Guarantee allows eligible buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Help to Buy is a shared equity scheme launched December 2025. State grants range from $10,000 in NSW, VIC and WA, to $30,000 in QLD and TAS, and up to $50,000 in NT for new homes. Every state except NT also offers stamp duty exemptions or concessions.
Queensland currently offers the most generous combination, a $30,000 First Home Owner Grant (for contracts signed before 30 June 2026), zero stamp duty on new homes with no price cap, and access to all federal schemes. A first home buyer purchasing a new $700,000 home in Brisbane can access approximately $50,000-$70,000 in combined benefits. Tasmania also offers a $30,000 FHOG. For stamp duty exemption value, NSW leads with full exemption up to $800,000 including established homes.
Yes, in most cases. First home buyers can typically combine the First Home Guarantee (federal), their state's First Home Owner Grant, stamp duty exemptions, and the First Home Super Saver Scheme simultaneously. The main exception: you cannot combine the First Home Guarantee with Help to Buy, you must choose one. The stacking strategy that delivers the most value depends on your state, purchase price, and whether you are buying new or established.
The First Home Guarantee no longer has income caps as of 1 October 2025, any eligible first home buyer can access it. The Help to Buy scheme does have income caps: $100,000 for singles and $160,000 for joint applicants. State First Home Owner Grants generally have no income caps. The First Home Super Saver Scheme has no income cap but contribution limits of $15,000 per year up to $50,000 total.
Most First Home Owner Grants apply to new homes only, not established properties. The exception is Tasmania, which offers a 100% stamp duty exemption on established homes valued up to $750,000 (for purchases settled before 30 June 2026). For established homes in other states, first home buyers typically rely on stamp duty concessions plus the First Home Guarantee rather than a cash grant.
First Home Owner Grants are applied for through your state's revenue office, typically submitted by your mortgage broker or conveyancer as part of the home loan or settlement process. The First Home Guarantee is applied for through a participating lender, you cannot apply directly to Housing Australia. The First Home Super Saver Scheme is applied for through the ATO. A mortgage broker accredited with participating lenders will coordinate all applications simultaneously.
Most first home buyer schemes require you to occupy the property as your principal place of residence for a minimum period, typically 6 months in most states, 12 months in Victoria. Renting the property out before completing the minimum occupancy period may require you to repay the grant with interest and potential penalties. Some states (including Queensland) have recently allowed one room to be rented without losing the concession, confirm your state's specific rules.
Yes. The Family Home Guarantee allows eligible single parents with at least one dependent child to purchase a home with a 2% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance. This operates similarly to the First Home Guarantee but is specifically for single parents. Property price caps apply and vary by location.
Deep-dive analysis with worked examples and stacking strategies for every Australian state.
Step-by-step guide to getting pre-approved before you start searching, the right order for applying.
Every upfront and ongoing cost first home buyers need to budget for beyond the deposit.
Eligibility rules, thresholds, and scheme interactions can be complex. Tell us about your situation and we'll confirm every grant, scheme, and concession you can access, and the optimal way to stack them.
General information to help you understand your options. For advice specific to your situation, speak with one of our mortgage brokers.