First home buyers in Australia have access to multiple layers of government assistance, from federal schemes open to everyone, to state-specific grants and stamp duty concessions. The catch is that eligibility criteria, property price caps, and grant amounts vary significantly between states. This guide breaks down every major scheme, state by state, so you can calculate exactly what you're entitled to.
Federal Schemes (Available in All States)
Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS)
The federal government's flagship program for first home buyers. Three streams:
First Home Guarantee (FHBG)
- Purchase with as little as 5% deposit
- No LMI required (government guarantees the remaining 15%)
- No place limits (caps abolished October 2025)
- Property price caps apply by location
Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee
- Note: Merged into the First Home Guarantee from October 1, 2025
- Regional buyers now access the main FHBG with specific regional price caps
- Same benefits: 5% deposit, no LMI, no place limits
Family Home Guarantee
- For single parents with dependents (not just first home buyers)
- Purchase with as little as 2% deposit
- 5,000 places available per financial year
Price caps (selected capitals):
| City | Maximum Property Price |
|---|---|
| Sydney | $1,500,000 |
| Melbourne | $950,000 |
| Brisbane | $1,000,000 |
| Perth | $850,000 |
| Adelaide | $900,000 |
| Hobart | $700,000 |
| ACT | $1,000,000 |
| NT | $600,000 |
Regional caps are lower. Check the Housing Australia website for your specific area.
First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)
This scheme lets you use the tax advantages of superannuation to save for a deposit faster:
- Make voluntary contributions to your super (up to $15,000/year, $50,000 total)
- These contributions are taxed at 15% instead of your marginal rate
- When ready to buy, apply to withdraw the contributions plus deemed earnings
How much it saves: If you earn $90,000 and salary sacrifice $15,000 per year into super:
- Tax saved per year: ~$3,000 (compared to saving after-tax income)
- Over 3 years: ~$9,000+ in tax savings on a $45,000 contribution
Important: You must apply to the ATO for a release determination before signing a contract.
Help to Buy Scheme (Opened December 2025)
The federal government's shared equity scheme for low-to-middle income earners:
- Government contributes up to 40% of new home or 30% of existing home purchase price
- You need a minimum 2% deposit
- Income cap: $100,000 (singles) or $160,000 (couples)
- Property price caps align with HGS caps
- You can buy out the government share over time or when you sell
- Available through participating lenders listed on the Housing Australia website
Important: Unlike HGS, Help to Buy involves the government taking an equity stake in your property. This means your capital gains are shared proportionally.
State-by-State Breakdown
New South Wales
Check revenue.nsw.gov.au for current thresholds and eligibility.
| Scheme | Detail |
|---|---|
| FHOG | $10,000 for new homes up to $600,000 |
| Stamp duty exemption | Exempt on properties up to $800,000 |
| Stamp duty concession | Reduced duty on properties $800,000-$1,000,000 |
| Shared Equity scheme | NSW government co-contributes up to 40% (houses) or 30% (units) |
Victoria
| Scheme | Detail |
|---|---|
| FHOG | $10,000 for new homes up to $750,000 |
| Stamp duty exemption | Exempt on properties up to $600,000 |
| Stamp duty concession | Reduced duty on properties $600,000-$750,000 |
| Victorian Homebuyer Fund | State co-contributes up to 25% (no monthly repayments on government share) |
Queensland
QLD FHOG extended to 30 June 2026 - check qld.gov.au for current status.
| Scheme | Detail |
|---|---|
| FHOG | $30,000 for new homes up to $750,000 |
| Stamp duty concession | Concessions for properties under various thresholds |
| First Home Concession | Reduced transfer duty rate |
South Australia
| Scheme | Detail |
|---|---|
| FHOG | $15,000 for new homes (no price cap since June 2024) |
| Stamp duty | No stamp duty on new homes for eligible FHBs (price cap abolished June 2024) |
Western Australia
| Scheme | Detail |
|---|---|
| FHOG | $10,000 for new homes up to $750,000 |
| Stamp duty | Various concessions for FHBs on properties up to certain thresholds |
| Keystart | State-backed low-deposit home loans |
Tasmania
TAS FHOG ($30,000) extended to 30 June 2026. Check sro.tas.gov.au for current status.
| Scheme | Detail |
|---|---|
| FHOG | $30,000 for new homes |
| Stamp duty | 100% stamp duty exemption for FHBs (expanded from 50% discount) |
| MyHome shared equity | State co-contributes up to 30% |
ACT
| Scheme | Detail |
|---|---|
| FHOG | Not available (abolished) |
| Stamp duty | Full stamp duty exemption for FHBs on properties up to $1,020,000 |
Northern Territory
| Scheme | Detail |
|---|---|
| FHOG | $10,000 for established homes |
| HomeGrown Territory | $50,000 grant for building a new home in the NT (conditions apply) |
| Stamp duty | Various concessions available for FHBs |
How to Maximise Your Benefits
-
Stack federal and state schemes. You can use the Home Guarantee Scheme AND your state's stamp duty exemption AND the FHSSS simultaneously. These are not mutually exclusive.
-
Consider new vs established. The FHOG is typically only available for new homes, but stamp duty concessions often apply to both new and established properties. If the FHOG amount is significant (e.g., $30,000 in QLD or TAS), buying new could be the better deal even if the price is slightly higher.
-
Check your eligibility. The Home Guarantee Scheme income caps were removed in October 2025. However, individual state schemes may still have eligibility requirements.
-
Apply through a participating lender. Not all banks participate in the Home Guarantee Scheme. Check the Housing Australia website for the full list of approved lenders.
Your Roadmap Into Your First Home
First home buyers in Australia have access to generous government support, but the details vary enormously by state. Start by checking your eligibility for the federal Home Guarantee Scheme (no LMI with 5% deposit), then layer on your state's specific grants and stamp duty concessions. Use the FHSSS to save your deposit in a tax-effective way. Combined, these schemes can save $20,000-$60,000+ on your first home purchase.
Related Guides
- The Real Cost of Buying a House - stamp duty, legal fees, and hidden costs
- Guarantor Home Loans Explained - how a family guarantee works
- Best Home Loan Rates - compare today's lowest mortgage rates
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