First Home Buyer Grants & Schemes in Australia 2025-26 (Every State)

One thing people miss: The First Home Owner Grant is a one-off payment funded by state and territory governments to help first home buyers buy or build a new home. The grant amount and eligibility criteria vary by state: NSW offers $10,000 for new homes up to $600,000 (or $750,000 for vacant land and building); Victoria provides $10,000 for new homes up to $750,000; Queensland offers a generous $30,000 for new homes up to $750,000; Western Australia provides $10,000; South Australia offers $15,000 for new homes up to $650,000; Tasmania provides $30,000 for new builds; the ACT has no FHOG but offers stamp duty concessions; and the Northern Territory offers $10,000.

The grant applies to new homes, substantially renovated homes, and owner-built homes — it doesn't apply to established (existing) homes in most states.

Beyond the FHOG, every state and territory offers some form of stamp duty relief for first home buyers, and this is often worth more than the grant itself. NSW provides a full exemption for properties up to $800,000 and a concession up to $1,000,000.

Victoria exempts properties up to $600,000 with a concession up to $750,000. Queensland offers a concession for homes up to $700,000 with a sliding scale to $800,000. Western Australia provides a full exemption up to $430,000 with a sliding scale to $530,000.

South Australia doesn't offer first home buyer stamp duty relief specifically but has no stamp duty on properties under $700,000 for all buyers as of recent reforms. The ACT offers a full stamp duty exemption with an income threshold test. These concessions can save first home buyers anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000.

Heads up — The First Home Guarantee (formerly the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme) is a federal government initiative administered by Housing Australia that allows eligible first home buyers to buy a home with as little as a 5% deposit without paying lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). The government guarantees up to 15% of the property value to the lender, bridging the gap between your 5% deposit and the usual 20% required to avoid LMI.

This can save buyers between $4,000 and $35,000 in LMI premiums depending on the property value and loan amount. Places are limited each financial year, with approximately 35,000 places available across the scheme. Price caps apply based on location — for example, $900,000 in Sydney and $800,000 in Melbourne.

The scheme is available to individuals earning up to $125,000 per year or couples earning up to $200,000 combined.

The Help to Buy scheme is a federal shared equity program where the government contributes up to 40% of the buy price of a new home (or 30% for an existing home), meaning you only need a mortgage for the remaining amount. This significantly reduces your loan repayments and the deposit required.

You need a minimum 2% deposit and must earn below the income threshold (currently $90,000 for singles, $120,000 for couples). The property price caps vary by location. Unlike a loan, you don't pay interest or rent on the government's share.

This bit matters. However, when you sell the property, the government receives its proportional share of the sale price, meaning they also benefit from any capital gains. The scheme is designed for low to moderate income earners who would otherwise struggle to enter the housing market. Now you know.

The FHSSS allows you to save money for your first home deposit inside your superannuation fund, taking advantage of the concessional tax rate on super contributions. You can voluntarily contribute up to $15,000 per financial year (and up to $50,000 in total) into your super fund, then withdraw these amounts plus deemed earnings when you're ready to buy.

Because salary sacrifice contributions are taxed at 15% instead of your marginal rate, a person earning $90,000 could save approximately $6,750 in tax on $50,000 of contributions compared to saving in a regular bank account. To access the funds, you apply to the ATO for a determination of the maximum releasable amount, then request a release. The entire process takes approximately 25 business days, so factor this into your buy timeline.

Several states offer enhanced incentives for first home buyers purchasing in regional areas. Victoria's FHOG was previously higher for regional purchases, and some states extend higher property value thresholds for regional buyers.

Beyond state government schemes, some local councils offer additional grants or rate concessions for new residents. Regional areas often have lower property prices, meaning first home buyers can enter the market more easily and potentially avoid LMI even without the First Home Guarantee. When considering regional options, factor in employment opportunities, lifestyle preferences, and long-term capital growth potential.

Don't skip this part. Our First Home Buyer Grant Calculator can help you compare the total benefits available in each state, including grants, stamp duty savings, and LMI avoidance.