Buying your first home in Australia comes with a patchwork of grants, concessions, and schemes — some federal, most state-based. The total support available can add up to tens of thousands of dollars, but only if you know what to claim. Here's a clear breakdown by state.
Federal Schemes (Available Everywhere)
First Home Guarantee (formerly FHLDS)
The federal government guarantees up to 15% of your home loan deposit, letting you buy with as little as 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). Spots are limited each financial year.
- Who: First home buyers purchasing owner-occupied property
- Income cap: $125,000/year for singles; $200,000/year for couples
- Property price cap: Varies by location (higher in capital cities)
Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee
Same structure as above but specifically for regional areas, with different price caps.
Help to Buy (Shared Equity — from 2025)
The federal government co-purchases up to 40% (new builds) or 30% (existing homes) of your property. You only need a 2% deposit.
- Who: Lower-to-middle income first home buyers
- Income cap: $90,000 singles; $120,000 couples
- Status: Rolling out from 2025 — check current availability
New South Wales
First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
- Amount: $10,000
- Eligible properties: New homes only, valued under $600,000 (or land + building under $750,000)
First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme
- Stamp duty exemption on homes under $800,000
- Stamp duty concession on homes $800,000–$1,000,000
- No income test applies
Victoria
First Home Owner Grant
- Amount: $10,000
- Eligible: New homes in metropolitan areas under $750,000
Stamp Duty Exemption
- Full exemption on homes under $600,000
- Concession on homes $600,000–$750,000
Victorian Homebuyer Fund
The state government takes up to a 25% equity share in your home (reducing your deposit requirement to 5%).
- Income cap: $128,000 singles; $204,800 couples/families
Queensland
First Home Owner Grant
- Amount: $30,000 on new homes (increased in 2023)
- Eligible: New homes valued under $750,000
Stamp Duty Concession
- Full concession for homes under $500,000
- Partial concession for homes $500,000–$550,000
South Australia
First Home Owner Grant
- Amount: $15,000
- Eligible: New homes under $650,000
Western Australia
First Home Owner Grant
- Amount: $10,000
- Eligible: New homes under $750,000
Stamp Duty Exemption
- Full exemption on homes under $430,000
- Concession on homes $430,000–$530,000
Tasmania
First Home Owner Grant
- Amount: $30,000 on new homes (one of the most generous)
- Eligible: New homes only
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT has replaced the traditional FHOG with the Home Buyer Concession Scheme:
- Stamp duty exemption on any home (new or established) for eligible buyers
- Income and asset caps apply — check the ACT Revenue Office for current thresholds
Northern Territory
First Home Owner Grant
- Amount: $10,000
- Eligible: New homes
How to Stack Multiple Benefits
The key insight most buyers miss: these schemes can often be combined. A Victorian first home buyer purchasing a new $580,000 property could receive:
- $10,000 First Home Owner Grant
- Full stamp duty exemption (worth ~$31,000)
- Access to the First Home Guarantee (5% deposit, no LMI)
That's over $40,000 in support on a single purchase.