First home buyer grants and exemptions by state in 2026

What is a first home buyer? (Eligibility criteria)

First-home eligibility differs between grants, duty concessions, FHSS and federal guarantees. Prior ownership, spouse history, citizenship or residency, age and occupancy must be checked under the particular scheme. Under the federal 5% Deposit Scheme, the first-home pathway can include people who have not owned property in Australia for 10 years; the single-parent pathway has different ownership rules.

Check each scheme separately for:

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (some states allow New Zealand citizens with a Special Category Visa)
• Meet the particular scheme’s age and applicant requirements
• Prior property ownership and any previous grant or concession, including a partner’s history where relevant
• The required move-in date and owner-occupation period for that scheme
• Not have previously claimed the First Home Owner Grant in any Australian state or territory

Eligibility is scheme-specific. The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme has no income caps or annual place limits from 1 October 2025, but property price caps and participating-lender conditions apply. State grants and duty concessions have separate rules.

Federal schemes vs state schemes — what is the difference?

First home buyer support in Australia operates on two levels: federal (national) schemes administered by the Australian Government, and state/territory schemes managed by individual state governments.

Federal schemes

Federal schemes are available in all states and territories. These include the Home Guarantee Scheme (allowing low-deposit purchases without LMI) and the First Home Super Saver Scheme (tax-effective deposit saving). They do not provide cash grants but reduce the deposit barrier.

State schemes

State schemes vary significantly and include the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG), stamp duty exemptions and concessions, and territory-specific programs like the ACT's Home Buyer Concession Scheme. These are the direct financial benefits that put cash in your pocket or reduce your upfront costs.

You can generally access both federal and state schemes simultaneously, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria for each.

Federal government schemes — available nationally

Before looking at state-based grants, it's important to understand the federal schemes available to all eligible Australians regardless of which state they buy in.

Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme

The expanded Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme is administered by Housing Australia. Do not rely on the former separate regional quota or historical income caps.

The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme allows eligible first-home buyers to purchase with a minimum 5% deposit without LMI through participating lenders. The expanded scheme has no income cap or place limit; property caps and other eligibility rules still apply.

Regional buyers should check the expanded Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme and the current property price cap for their location. The former regional annual place quota must not be used to assess current applications.

Eligible single parents and legal guardians can access the Australian Government scheme with a minimum 2% deposit. Check current family, ownership, property and lender requirements at firsthomebuyers.gov.au; historical income and place caps should not be assumed.

First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)

The FHSS scheme allows eligible voluntary super contributions to support a deposit, subject to an ATO determination, contribution and release rules.

For FHSS, up to $15,000 of eligible voluntary contributions per financial year and $50,000 across years can count. The release calculation includes 85% of eligible concessional contributions and 100% of eligible non-concessional contributions, plus deemed associated earnings. Contribution limits are not a promise of a $50,000 cash withdrawal; request an ATO determination and check release timing and tax.

New South Wales

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

• Amount: $10,000
• Available for: New homes only (including substantially renovated homes)
• Property value cap: $600,000 for new homes; $750,000 for owner-builder or contract to build

The NSW FHOG is not available for established (existing) homes. If you're buying an established property, you don't receive the grant — but you may still receive stamp duty relief.

Stamp duty exemption and concession

• Full exemption: Properties up to $800,000 (new and established)
• Concessional rate: Properties between $800,001 and $1,000,000

For an eligible $800,000 NSW first-home purchase, duty is $0 compared with $30,187 ordinary duty under the 2026–27 schedule. Confirm the applicant and transaction conditions.

Property Tax option

NSW First Home Buyer Choice closed to new applications from 1 July 2023. Eligible current first-home buyers should check FHBAS duty relief rather than assume they can newly opt into property tax.

Victoria

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

• Amount: $10,000
• Available for: New homes only
• Property value cap: $750,000

Like NSW, Victoria's FHOG applies only to new homes, not established properties.

Stamp duty exemption and concession

• Full exemption: Properties up to $600,000
• Concessional rate: Properties between $600,001 and $750,000 (duty reduces on a sliding scale)

For an eligible Victorian home between $600,000 and $750,000, duty payable is the applicable duty multiplied by (purchase price minus $600,000) divided by $150,000. The complementary fraction is the saving, not the duty payable.

At $700,000, Victorian standard duty is $37,070. The eligible first-home duty is approximately $24,713.33, a saving of $12,356.67 before rounding.

Off-the-plan concession

First home buyers purchasing off-the-plan may be eligible for an additional duty reduction, calculated on the dutiable value of the property excluding the construction component.

Queensland

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

• Amount: $30,000 under the extended boost; value must be below $750,000
• Available for: New homes only (including owner-builder)
• Property value cap: $750,000

Queensland’s extended grant boost is $30,000 for eligible new homes valued below $750,000. Confirm current contract-date and applicant conditions with QRO.

Stamp duty concession

• Full concession: Established home as principal place of residence up to $700,000
• Partial concession: Established homes between $700,001 and $800,000
• New homes and vacant land: no duty, no price cap (from 1 May 2025)

The Queensland first home concession applies to both new and established homes as long as the property will be your principal place of residence. On a $700,000 established-home purchase, you pay $0 stamp duty.

South Australia

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

• Amount: $15,000
• Available for: New homes only
• Property value cap: No cap (as of 2026)

South Australia removed the property-value cap for qualifying new-home grant contracts from 6 June 2024. The grant remains $15,000, subject to personal, property and residence eligibility.

Stamp duty

Eligible South Australian new-home and vacant-land first-home purchases can receive full duty relief under qualifying contracts from 6 June 2024. Established homes remain outside this particular relief.

Household goods loan

Other South Australian lending assistance has separate product and eligibility rules. Check current HomeStart terms directly; do not assume a fixed household-goods loan amount from this guide.

Western Australia

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

• Amount: $10,000
• Available for: New homes only
• Property value cap: $800,000 (south of the 26th parallel) / $1,000,000 (north of the 26th parallel)

Stamp duty exemption and concession

• Full exemption: Eligible homes up to $600,000 from 7 May 2026
• Concessional rate: Eligible homes above $600,000 and up to $800,000 from 7 May 2026

An eligible WA first-home transaction under the rules from 7 May 2026 is exempt up to $600,000. Above that amount, the separate first-home rate applies up to $800,000.

For eligible WA vacant land from 7 May 2026, exemption applies to $450,000 and the concession extends to $550,000. Home and land thresholds are different.

Tasmania

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

• Amount: $20,000 (from 1 July 2026; was $30,000 to 30 June 2026)
• Available for: New homes only
• Property value cap: None for the current Tasmanian new-home grant

Check Tasmania’s current contract dates, new-home and applicant conditions with the SRO. A grant amount alone does not establish eligibility.

Stamp duty concession

Tasmania’s established first-home duty relief ended on 30 June 2026. Current purchases must not receive an automatic 50% discount.

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT does not have a First Home Owner Grant. Instead, the territory focuses its support through the Home Buyer Concession Scheme.

Home Buyer Concession Scheme

Eligible buyers pay no stamp duty (conveyance duty) on their purchase. This applies to both new and established homes.

From 1 July 2026, ACT HBCS has no income or property-value caps. Check the remaining eligibility conditions:

• Applicant, ownership-history and residence conditions still apply
• Do not apply historical household income limits to current HBCS

ACT HBCS eligibility still depends on applicant, ownership-history and residence requirements. Removing income and price caps does not make every owner-occupier eligible.

Northern Territory

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

• Amount: $50,000 HomeGrown Territory
• Available for: New homes only

Territory Home Owner Discount

The Territory Home Owner Discount is closed. Do not deduct its historical $18,601 amount from a current NT purchase.

BuildBonus grant

The current HomeGrown Territory grant offers $50,000 for eligible new first homes. Do not automatically stack historical BuildBonus and FHOG amounts or assume duty is waived.

State-by-state comparison — at a glance

The table below summarises every state's first home buyer benefits side-by-side so you can quickly compare your options.

How to maximise your total first home buyer benefit

Stack federal and state benefits

Federal guarantees, state grants and duty concessions can sometimes be combined if you independently meet each scheme’s conditions. Confirm each approval, property limit and payment date; qualifying for one benefit does not establish eligibility for another.

Example: Maximising your benefit in Queensland

Buying a new home for $500,000 in QLD as a first home buyer:

• FHOG: $30,000 if eligible under the extended boost
• Stamp duty concession: $0 (new homes have no duty and no price cap since 1 May 2025)
• Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme: 5% deposit ($25,000), no LMI
• Benefits are separate: grant eligibility, duty relief and any LMI waiver each need confirmation; do not add an unquoted LMI saving

Example: Maximising your benefit in NSW

Buying a completed new home for $750,000 in NSW as a first home buyer:

• FHOG: $0 for a completed $750,000 purchase; the separate land-and-build cap is different
• Stamp duty exemption: $0 (full exemption up to $800,000)
• Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme: 5% deposit ($37,500), no LMI
• Stamp duty saved vs ordinary buyer: $27,937 under 2026–27 rates
• The completed-home price exceeds the $600,000 grant cap; any LMI waiver needs separate eligibility confirmation

Use the FHSSS to save tax on your deposit

FHSS can have tax advantages, but it is not free money. Eligible concessional contributions are generally included at 85% in the releasable amount, with associated earnings and release-tax rules. Compare the full contribution and release treatment for your circumstances.

How to apply — general process

The application process varies by state, but the general approach is:

• Confirm eligibility before signing a contract — check income caps, property value caps, and residency requirements for your state
• Follow the state revenue office application route, directly or through an approved agent where available; confirm documents and timing before settlement
• Submit supporting documents — typically including your contract of sale, proof of identity, and evidence of Australian citizenship or permanent residency
• Grant payment timing depends on the scheme, transaction and approved-agent route. Confirm availability before relying on the grant for a contract deposit, construction payment or settlement.

For federal schemes (Home Guarantee Scheme, FHSSS), applications are made separately through participating lenders or the ATO respectively.

Common mistakes that cost first home buyers their entitlements

Buying an established home when you intended to claim a grant: The FHOG in all states applies only to new homes. Many first home buyers assume the grant applies to all purchases. It does not.

Exceeding the property value cap: Where a grant or duty benefit has a property-value cap, exceeding it can reduce or remove relief. Other schemes have no value cap or use separate tests; confirm the rule for your transaction.

Not meeting the residency requirement: Grants and concessions can require you to move in and remain for a specified period. Check the exact scheme’s current occupancy rules; there is no common deadline across Australia.

Applying too late: Check the relevant revenue office’s application deadline and the event from which it runs; do not assume settlement is always the starting point.

Previous property ownership by an applicant or partner can affect eligibility. The definitions, relevant dates and exceptions vary by scheme; check the official rules rather than assuming one universal lifetime ban.

Budgeting with the grant

A common mistake is assuming the FHOG adds to the borrowing power calculation. Lenders treat the grant as a one-off payment that reduces your deposit shortfall but does not increase your assessed capacity to service the loan. Plan your budget accordingly.

Key takeaways

• The Northern Territory HomeGrown Territory grant is subject to its own contract dates, property and applicant conditions; compare eligibility rather than national rankings
• NSW eligible homes are exempt to $800,000; other jurisdictions have different property-type and eligibility rules
• Eligible applicants may use the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme without LMI; property caps, lender approval and scheme conditions still apply
• Grant and duty relief are separate tests. Check whether a grant is offered for your property type and whether you qualify for any duty concession.
• ACT HBCS has no income or price cap from 1 July 2026; other eligibility conditions still apply
• Follow the revenue office’s application process or use an approved agent; confirm payment timing and deadlines

Sources

Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme — eligibility

ATO — First Home Super Saver Scheme

NSW Revenue — First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme

SRO Victoria — First Home Owner Grant

QRO — Queensland Grants and Concessions

Frequently asked questions

Can my partner and I both claim the First Home Owner Grant?

No. The FHOG is paid once per transaction, not per person. If you're buying jointly, you receive one grant between you — not one each.

What if one of us has owned property before?

Previous ownership by either applicant or a partner can affect eligibility. The relevant ownership dates, occupancy tests and exceptions vary by scheme. Check the state revenue office rules rather than assuming a universal lifetime ban.

Do I have to be an Australian citizen to claim?

Most grants require at least one applicant to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Temporary visa holders are generally not eligible. Some states allow New Zealand citizens on a Special Category Visa to apply.

What counts as a "new home" for the grant?

Check the scheme’s definition of a new home, including prior occupation or sale and completion requirements. Off-the-plan purchases and substantial renovations need their own eligibility checks; being the first occupant alone does not establish entitlement.

Can I use the grant as part of my deposit?

In some states, yes. The grant can be applied at settlement and counted toward your upfront funds. However, many lenders require you to have genuine savings of a certain amount independently of the grant.