Australian Government Home Buyer Incentives
A complete guide to every federal and state government grant, scheme, and concession available to Australian home buyers in 2025. Know what you qualify for before you buy.
Federal Government Schemes
Administered by Housing Australia and the ATO, these schemes apply nationally regardless of which state you buy in.
First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
One-off cash grant for eligible first home buyers
The First Home Owner Grant is a one-off payment from state and territory governments to assist eligible first home buyers. The grant amount and eligibility criteria vary significantly by state and territory. It is generally available when you buy or build a new home, not an established property.
Key Points
- ✓Grant amounts vary: from $10,000 in some states to $30,000 in others for new builds
- ✓Generally only available for new homes or substantial renovations
- ✓Property value caps apply in each state and territory
- ✓You must live in the property as your principal place of residence for at least 12 months
- ✓All applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents
First Home Guarantee Scheme
Buy with a 5% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance
The First Home Guarantee (formerly the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme) allows eligible first home buyers to purchase a property with a deposit as low as 5% without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). The government guarantees up to 15% of the loan, bridging the gap to 20%. Housing Australia administers the scheme through a panel of participating lenders.
Key Points
- ✓35,000 places available per financial year (subject to confirmation each year)
- ✓Deposit as low as 5% with no LMI, potentially saving $10,000 to $30,000
- ✓Income caps apply: $125,000 for singles, $200,000 for couples (combined)
- ✓Property price caps vary by location (higher in capital cities)
- ✓Only available through participating lenders, not all banks offer it
- ✓Must be an owner-occupier, not an investor
Help to Buy (Shared Equity)
The government co-buys a share of your home
Help to Buy is a shared equity scheme where the Australian Government contributes up to 40% of the purchase price of a new home (or 30% for an existing home) in exchange for an equity stake. You need a minimum 2% deposit. You can buy out the government's share over time or when you sell. This significantly reduces your loan size and monthly repayments.
Key Points
- ✓Government co-contribution: up to 40% for new builds, up to 30% for existing homes
- ✓Minimum 2% deposit required from the buyer
- ✓10,000 places available per year (subject to annual confirmation)
- ✓Income caps: $90,000 for individuals, $120,000 for couples
- ✓Property price caps apply and vary by location
- ✓You own the home and pay all running costs; the government's share is an equity interest only
- ✓Check the official Housing Australia website for current eligibility and availability
First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS)
Save for your deposit inside superannuation
The First Home Super Saver Scheme allows first home buyers to make voluntary contributions to their superannuation fund and then withdraw those contributions (plus associated earnings) to use as a home deposit. Contributions are taxed at 15% (concessional) rather than your marginal tax rate, providing a meaningful tax advantage for most buyers.
Key Points
- ✓Withdraw up to $50,000 total from voluntary contributions made from 1 July 2017
- ✓Concessional (pre-tax) contributions taxed at 15%, rather than your marginal rate of up to 47%
- ✓Non-concessional (after-tax) contributions can also be withdrawn
- ✓The tax saving can be significant: a $125,000 income earner saves approximately $10,000 in tax on $30,000 of contributions
- ✓Apply to the ATO for a release determination before withdrawing
- ✓You must sign a contract to purchase or construct within 12 months of withdrawal
State and Territory Comparison
First Home Owner Grant amounts and stamp duty concessions vary significantly by state. Check official sources for current figures as these are updated regularly.
New South Wales
FHOG Amount
$10,000 for new homes only
Stamp Duty Concession
Full exemption up to $800,000; concession $800,001 to $1,000,000 (for new homes). Transfer duty waived for first home buyers on homes up to $800,000.
Property Value Cap
$800,000 (existing); no cap for new builds under stamp duty scheme
Notes
NSW also offers the First Home Buyer Choice: pay stamp duty or an annual property tax (for properties up to $1,500,000).
Victoria
FHOG Amount
$10,000 for new homes in metropolitan areas; $20,000 in regional Victoria
Stamp Duty Concession
Full exemption for homes valued up to $600,000; concession $600,001 to $750,000
Property Value Cap
$750,000 for stamp duty concession
Notes
Victoria also has shared equity pilot programs. Check the State Revenue Office Victoria for current schemes.
Queensland
FHOG Amount
$30,000 for new homes (amount confirmed as of this guide; verify with Queensland Revenue Office)
Stamp Duty Concession
Full concession for first home buyers; amount depends on property value
Property Value Cap
$700,000 for concession eligibility
Notes
Queensland has one of the higher FHOG amounts in Australia for new builds.
Western Australia
FHOG Amount
$10,000 for new homes
Stamp Duty Concession
Full exemption up to $430,000; concession to $530,000
Property Value Cap
$750,000 for FHOG eligibility
Notes
WA's stamp duty concession thresholds are lower than eastern states, reflecting the property market.
South Australia
FHOG Amount
$15,000 for new homes
Stamp Duty Concession
Full exemption for eligible first home buyers on new builds
Property Value Cap
No price cap for FHOG; stamp duty exemption conditions apply
Notes
Check RevenueSA for the most current eligibility criteria and amounts.
Tasmania
FHOG Amount
$30,000 for new homes (one of the highest amounts nationally)
Stamp Duty Concession
50% concession on stamp duty for established homes up to a value cap
Property Value Cap
Check State Revenue Office Tasmania for current caps
Notes
Tasmania's high FHOG reflects efforts to attract population growth and new construction.
Australian Capital Territory
FHOG Amount
ACT does not offer a FHOG; replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme
Stamp Duty Concession
Stamp duty (conveyancing duty) exemption via the Home Buyer Concession Scheme for eligible buyers under income and property caps
Property Value Cap
Income and property value caps apply; check ACT Revenue Office
Notes
The ACT phased out FHOG in 2019. The concession scheme provides duty relief instead.
Northern Territory
FHOG Amount
$10,000 for new homes
Stamp Duty Concession
First home buyers receive a stamp duty concession; details vary by property value
Property Value Cap
Check Territory Revenue Office for current caps
Notes
NT also has a Home Renovation Grant for eligible properties.
| State | FHOG Amount | Stamp Duty Concession | Property Cap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NSWNew South Wales | $10,000 for new homes only | Full exemption up to $800,000; concession $800,001 to $1,000,000 (for new homes). Transfer duty waived for first home buyers on homes up to $800,000. | $800,000 (existing); no cap for new builds under stamp duty scheme | NSW also offers the First Home Buyer Choice: pay stamp duty or an annual property tax (for properties up to $1,500,000). |
VICVictoria | $10,000 for new homes in metropolitan areas; $20,000 in regional Victoria | Full exemption for homes valued up to $600,000; concession $600,001 to $750,000 | $750,000 for stamp duty concession | Victoria also has shared equity pilot programs. Check the State Revenue Office Victoria for current schemes. |
QLDQueensland | $30,000 for new homes (amount confirmed as of this guide; verify with Queensland Revenue Office) | Full concession for first home buyers; amount depends on property value | $700,000 for concession eligibility | Queensland has one of the higher FHOG amounts in Australia for new builds. |
WAWestern Australia | $10,000 for new homes | Full exemption up to $430,000; concession to $530,000 | $750,000 for FHOG eligibility | WA's stamp duty concession thresholds are lower than eastern states, reflecting the property market. |
SASouth Australia | $15,000 for new homes | Full exemption for eligible first home buyers on new builds | No price cap for FHOG; stamp duty exemption conditions apply | Check RevenueSA for the most current eligibility criteria and amounts. |
TASTasmania | $30,000 for new homes (one of the highest amounts nationally) | 50% concession on stamp duty for established homes up to a value cap | Check State Revenue Office Tasmania for current caps | Tasmania's high FHOG reflects efforts to attract population growth and new construction. |
ACTAustralian Capital Territory | ACT does not offer a FHOG; replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme | Stamp duty (conveyancing duty) exemption via the Home Buyer Concession Scheme for eligible buyers under income and property caps | Income and property value caps apply; check ACT Revenue Office | The ACT phased out FHOG in 2019. The concession scheme provides duty relief instead. |
NTNorthern Territory | $10,000 for new homes | First home buyers receive a stamp duty concession; details vary by property value | Check Territory Revenue Office for current caps | NT also has a Home Renovation Grant for eligible properties. |
Amounts and thresholds are indicative and may change. Always verify with the relevant state revenue office before applying.
How to Apply for Government Incentives
FHOG and Stamp Duty Concessions
- 1Apply through your lender or conveyancer at the time of loan application or settlement
- 2Your lender or conveyancer will complete the FHOG application form on your behalf
- 3The grant is typically credited to your loan account at settlement
- 4Stamp duty concessions are applied automatically by the state revenue office
First Home Guarantee
- 1Apply through a participating lender (not all lenders offer this scheme)
- 2Check the Housing Australia website for the current list of participating lenders
- 3Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis each financial year
- 4Your lender lodges the guarantee application on your behalf
First Home Super Saver Scheme
- 1Make voluntary super contributions to your fund (concessional or non-concessional)
- 2Apply to the ATO online for a FHSS determination when you are ready to buy
- 3The ATO calculates your maximum releasable amount and issues a determination
- 4Request release of funds; ATO instructs your super fund to release the amount
Help to Buy
- 1Check eligibility on the Housing Australia website
- 2Apply through a participating lender when the scheme opens in your state
- 3Housing Australia assesses your application and confirms the government equity contribution
- 4Settlement proceeds with both you and the government as co-owners
Important Disclaimer
Government incentive amounts, eligibility criteria, income caps, and property price thresholds change regularly. The information on this page is a general guide only and may not reflect the most current rules.
Always check official sources for current amounts and eligibility before making any financial decisions:
- Housing Australia: housingaustralia.gov.au (First Home Guarantee, Help to Buy)
- ATO: ato.gov.au (First Home Super Saver Scheme)
- State and territory revenue offices for FHOG and stamp duty concessions
This guide is general information only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Seek advice from a qualified professional before proceeding.
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