First Home Buyer Schemes Australia 2026-27

First home buyers in Australia have access to an unprecedented range of support in 2026-27. At the federal level, the Help to Buy shared equity scheme requires only a 2% deposit, the First Home Guarantee has no income caps and no limit on places, and a new $10 billion program will deliver 100,000 homes exclusively to first home buyers at below-market prices. State governments add up to $50,000 in grants and full stamp duty exemptions.

Data in this article is sourced from Housing Australia, state revenue offices, and federal/state budget papers as at 5 July 2026.

Federal schemes

Help to Buy (shared equity)

The government co-purchases up to 40% of your home, reducing the amount you need to finance to 60%.

Income thresholds (from 1 July 2026):

Single applicants: $103,000
Single parents: $165,000
Joint applicants: $165,000

How it works:

You need a minimum 2% deposit
Government contributes up to 40% of the purchase price
You finance 60% through a standard mortgage
You can buy back the government's share over time at market value
When you sell, the government receives its share of the proceeds

Property price caps are set by policy and are expected to be approximately $1.4 million (NSW), $1.0 million (VIC), and $1.0 million (QLD).

First Home Guarantee

A government guarantee allowing you to buy with a 5% deposit and no LMI.

Key features:

No limit on places (previously 35,000 per year)
No income caps (previously $125,000 single / $200,000 joint)
Property price caps: Sydney $900,000, Melbourne $800,000, Brisbane $700,000, Perth $600,000, Adelaide $600,000, Hobart $600,000, ACT $750,000, NT $600,000
Available through 32 participating lenders
Australian citizens only (not permanent residents)
Must not have previously owned property in Australia
Must live in the property as primary residence

$10 billion First Home Buyer Exclusive Housing program

Announced in the 2026-27 Budget, this program will deliver 100,000 homes over 10 years, sold exclusively to first home buyers at below-market prices. The first projects start construction in 2026-27. This is a supply-side measure — the government directly facilitates the construction and sale of homes, rather than providing financial assistance for market purchases.

First Home Super Saver Scheme

You can withdraw up to $50,000 of voluntary super contributions (plus associated earnings) to use as a home deposit. Contributions eligible for release include salary sacrifice and personal contributions claimed as a tax deduction. Employer SG contributions and spouse contributions are not eligible.

State-by-state grants and concessions

New South Wales

FHOG: $10,000 for new homes up to $600,000 (or house and land package up to $750,000)
Stamp duty: Full exemption up to $800,000; sliding scale concession to $1,000,000
Shared equity: Boost to Buy (QLD only, not NSW) — NSW participates in federal Help to Buy
Other: $1.0 billion Pre-Sale Finance Guarantee Program expanded by $80 million

Victoria

FHOG: $10,000 for new homes up to $750,000
Stamp duty: Full exemption up to $600,000; concessional rates to $750,000
Off-the-plan: Extended to 21 April 2027
Forgone revenue: $740 million in 2026-27 on first home buyer concessions

Queensland

Queensland offers the most generous combination of support:

FHOG: $30,000 for new builds up to $750,000 — extended for 4 more years with $72 million funding
Stamp duty: $0 for new builds with NO price cap (permanent law); full exemption for established homes up to $700,000 with sliding scale to $800,000
Boost to Buy: Government shared equity up to 30% (new) or 25% (existing) with property cap of $1,000,000, income caps of $150,000 (single) or $225,000 (couple/family), minimum 2% deposit. Southeast QLD fully allocated as at June 2026; regional QLD places still available.
Stacking: You can combine $30,000 FHOG + $0 stamp duty + federal First Home Guarantee

Western Australia

FHOG: $10,000 for new homes up to $800,000 (south of 26th parallel, up from $750,000); $750,000 north
Stamp duty: Full exemption up to $600,000 (established) or $450,000 (vacant land); concessions to $800,000 / $550,000
Off-the-plan: Extended to 30 June 2028
Max combined benefit: Up to $35,390

South Australia

FHOG: $15,000 for new builds with NO price cap
Stamp duty: FULLY ABOLISHED for FHB new builds with no value cap since June 2024
Seniors: New downsizing relief for buyers aged 60+ for new homes up to $2 million from March 2026
Tightened eligibility: Any prior property ownership in Australia disqualifies (from 13 February 2025)

Tasmania

FHOG: $20,000 (reduced from $30,000 from 1 July 2026)
Stamp duty: 50% discount on established homes up to $600,000. No duty concession for new homes from 1 July 2026 (the 18 Feb 2024 to 30 Jun 2026 window for full exemption on established homes up to $750,000 has closed).

ACT

FHOG: None — the Home Buyer Concession Scheme provides a full stamp duty waiver instead
Stamp duty: FULLY ABOLISHED for all first home buyers from 1 July 2026 with no price or income caps. First jurisdiction in Australia to do this.
Pensioner and disability concessions: Expanded

Northern Territory

HomeGrown Territory Grant: $50,000 for first home buyers of new homes with NO price cap. Extended to 30 September 2027. The largest FHOG-type grant in Australia.
FHOG (base): $10,000 (effectively superseded by HomeGrown)
THOD: Full stamp duty exemption on properties up to $500,000 (not limited to FHBs)
FreshStart: $30,000 grant for existing homeowners buying/building a new home

How to stack schemes

In many cases, you can combine federal and state support. The most powerful combinations:

Queensland new build: $30,000 FHOG + $0 stamp duty + First Home Guarantee (5% deposit, no LMI) + FHSS (up to $50,000 from super)
ACT: $0 stamp duty + First Home Guarantee + FHSS
NT: $50,000 HomeGrown + $0 stamp duty (up to $500,000) + First Home Guarantee + FHSS

FAQ

Can I use both Help to Buy and the First Home Guarantee?

No. Help to Buy and the First Home Guarantee are separate schemes. Help to Buy involves government co-ownership (2% deposit, government owns up to 40%). FHG involves a government guarantee only (5% deposit, you own 100%). Choose the one that best fits your circumstances.

What is the maximum total support I can get as a first home buyer?

In Queensland, you can stack: $30,000 FHOG + $0 stamp duty (potentially $30,000+ saving) + First Home Guarantee (no LMI, potentially $10,000+ saving) + FHSS ($50,000 from super). Total effective support can exceed $100,000.

Are permanent residents eligible for the First Home Guarantee?

No. The First Home Guarantee requires Australian citizenship. Permanent residents can access state-based schemes (state FHOGs, stamp duty concessions) and may be eligible for Help to Buy.

Can I buy an established home with the FHOG?

In most states, the FHOG applies only to new builds or substantially renovated homes. Established home purchases typically qualify for stamp duty concessions but not the cash grant. Queensland allows stamp duty concessions on established homes up to $800,000, but the $30,000 FHOG is for new builds only.

What is the First Home Super Saver Scheme limit?

$50,000 of voluntary super contributions (salary sacrifice and personal deductible contributions) can be withdrawn for a first home deposit, plus associated earnings. Employer SG contributions are not eligible.