Government schemes for first home buyers in Australia: what's available in 2026
Buying your first home in Australia comes with a reasonable amount of government support — if you know where to look. There are national schemes that apply everywhere, and state-based grants and stamp duty concessions that vary depending on where you're buying.
This guide covers the lot. National schemes first, then a state-by-state breakdown.
National schemes — available everywhere
First Home Guarantee (5% deposit, no LMI)
Run by Housing Australia, the First Home Guarantee lets eligible buyers purchase a home with just a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. The government guarantees the remaining 15% of the deposit, so the lender is covered.
This can save you tens of thousands. LMI on a 5% deposit loan can easily exceed $15,000 to $25,000 depending on the loan size.
- Australian citizen or permanent resident
- First home buyer (or returning buyer who meets criteria)
- Income caps apply: $125,000 for singles, $200,000 for couples
- Property price caps apply and vary by state and region
- Must intend to live in the property
Help to Buy (shared equity scheme)
The Help to Buy scheme allows the government to co-purchase up to 30% of an existing home or 40% of a new build with you. You own the property and can buy out the government's share over time. It reduces your loan size and monthly repayments significantly.
- Australian citizen aged 18 or over
- Income caps: $90,000 for singles, $120,000 for couples
- Must be a first home buyer or not have owned property in the last 10 years
- Minimum 2% deposit required
First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)
You can save money for your deposit inside your superannuation and withdraw it (with tax benefits) when you're ready to buy. Contributions made under the FHSSS are taxed at 15% rather than your marginal rate, which can accelerate your savings.
- You can contribute up to $15,000 per year under this scheme
- Maximum total releasable amount: $50,000
- Must be a first home buyer
- Must intend to live in the property for at least six months
If your deposit is small, start with the First Home Guarantee. If your income is lower and you want a smaller loan, look at Help to Buy. If you're still saving, the FHSSS can speed that up. These schemes can sometimes be combined — a broker can tell you which combination works for your situation.
Not sure which scheme you qualify for?
A 20-minute call usually gives you a clear picture of what's available for your situation.
State grants and stamp duty — the big picture
On top of national schemes, every state has its own First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) and stamp duty concessions. The grant is typically for new builds only. Duty relief can apply to both new and established homes, depending on the state and property value.
Here's a quick breakdown by state.
🗺️ NSW — New South Wales
- First Home Owner Grant: $10,000 for new homes (purchase price up to $600,000; land and build up to $750,000)
- Stamp duty exemption: Full exemption on homes up to $800,000
- Stamp duty concession: Reduced rate on homes between $800,000 and $1,000,000
- Must live in the property for at least 12 months
🗺️ VIC — Victoria
- First Home Owner Grant: $10,000 for new homes in metro areas; $20,000 for regional Victoria
- Stamp duty exemption: Full exemption on homes up to $600,000
- Stamp duty concession: Reduced rate on homes between $600,000 and $750,000
- Must live in the property for at least 12 months
🗺️ QLD — Queensland
- First Home Owner Grant: $30,000 for new homes (contracts signed before 30 June 2025); $15,000 thereafter
- Stamp duty concession: First home buyers pay reduced transfer duty on homes up to $700,000
- Must live in the property for at least 12 months within the first year of ownership
🗺️ SA — South Australia
- First Home Owner Grant: $15,000 for new homes
- Stamp duty: SA abolished stamp duty on new homes for eligible first home buyers from 2023
- Must live in the property as your principal place of residence for at least 6 months
🗺️ WA — Western Australia
- First Home Owner Grant: $10,000 for new homes (purchase price up to $750,000)
- Stamp duty exemption: Full exemption on homes up to $430,000
- Stamp duty concession: Reduced rate on homes between $430,000 and $530,000
- Must live in the property for at least 12 months
🗺️ TAS — Tasmania
- First Home Owner Grant: $30,000 for new homes (one of the highest in Australia)
- Stamp duty concession: 50% discount on stamp duty for eligible first home buyers on existing homes
- Must live in the property as your principal place of residence for at least 12 months
The most common reason people miss out
Not checking. Most first home buyers either assume they don't qualify or don't know the schemes exist. The eligibility rules are specific — income caps, property price caps, residency requirements — but if you fit them, the savings are real. Tens of thousands of dollars in some cases.
The second most common reason: buying the wrong property type. The FHOG applies to new homes only. If you buy established and assume you'll get the grant, you won't.
Ready to check your eligibility?
We'll go through the national and state schemes that apply to your situation in plain English.
What our clients say
"Kevin helped us access the First Home Guarantee and avoided LMI entirely. We bought with 5% deposit and saved over $18,000. Couldn't have worked it out without him."
— Google Review"We had no idea there was a stamp duty exemption in NSW. Kevin flagged it immediately and we saved $22,000 on our first purchase. Highly recommend."
— Google Review