First Home Buyer Grants & Schemes in 2026: State-by-State Guide

Buying your first home in Australia in 2026 is more achievable than many people realise, thanks to a range of government grants, stamp duty concessions, and guarantee schemes designed to help first-time purchasers enter the market. This guide provides a complete state-by-state breakdown of every incentive available, so you can maximise the support on offer and reduce the upfront cost of purchasing your first property.

Federal Government Schemes

Before we look at state-specific grants, it is important to understand the federal schemes that apply regardless of where you buy in Australia.

First Home Guarantee (formerly First Home Loan Deposit Scheme)

The First Home Guarantee is administered by Housing Australia and allows eligible first home buyers to purchase a property with as little as a 5 per cent deposit, without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). The government guarantees the difference between your deposit and 20 per cent, so the lender treats your application as though you have a full 20 per cent deposit. For 2025-26, there are 35,000 places available. Eligibility criteria include being an Australian citizen aged 18 or over, having an individual income of no more than $125,000 or a combined couple income of no more than $200,000 (based on the most recent tax return), and never having previously owned property in Australia. Property price caps vary by location. In Sydney, the cap is $900,000. In Melbourne, it is $800,000. In Brisbane, it is $700,000. Regional areas have lower caps. These thresholds are reviewed periodically, so check the Housing Australia website for the latest figures.

Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee

This is a separate stream of 10,000 places per year specifically for buyers purchasing in regional areas. It operates on the same terms as the main First Home Guarantee but has its own allocation and slightly different property price caps.

First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)

The FHSSS allows you to make voluntary contributions to your super fund and then withdraw them (plus deemed earnings) to use towards a home deposit. You can contribute up to $15,000 per financial year, with a maximum withdrawable amount of $50,000. Because super contributions are taxed at 15 per cent rather than your marginal tax rate, this effectively provides a tax benefit on your savings. Deemed earnings are calculated at the Shortfall Interest Charge rate, which is typically higher than a standard savings account.

New South Wales

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG): $10,000

Available for new homes or substantially renovated homes valued up to $600,000. The grant does not apply to established properties. You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, aged 18 or over, and never have previously owned property in Australia (or received the FHOG).

Stamp Duty Exemption

First home buyers in NSW pay no transfer duty (stamp duty) on new and existing properties valued up to $800,000. A concessional rate applies for properties valued between $800,000 and $1,000,000. On a $750,000 property, this exemption saves approximately $29,000 compared to the standard stamp duty rate.

First Home Buyer Choice (abolished)

Note that the previous First Home Buyer Choice scheme, which allowed buyers to opt for an annual property tax instead of upfront stamp duty, was abolished in 2024. First home buyers now revert to the traditional stamp duty concessions described above.

Victoria

First Home Owner Grant: $10,000

Available for new homes valued up to $750,000. The grant applies to newly built homes, off-the-plan apartments, and substantially renovated properties. It does not apply to established homes.

Stamp Duty Exemption

Full exemption on properties valued up to $600,000, with a sliding concession for properties valued between $600,000 and $750,000. This applies to both new and established homes for first home buyers.

Victorian Homebuyer Fund

The Victorian Government offers a shared equity scheme where the government contributes up to 25 per cent of the purchase price (or 35 per cent for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander buyers). You need as little as 5 per cent deposit, and LMI is not required. You own the property outright but share the capital gain (or loss) with the government in proportion to its contribution. Property price caps apply.

Queensland

First Home Owner Grant: $30,000

Queensland offers the most generous FHOG in the country at $30,000, available for new homes valued under $750,000. This is a significant boost for first home buyers building or buying brand new in Queensland.

Stamp Duty Concession

First home buyers purchasing an established home valued up to $700,000 receive a full stamp duty concession. Concessions apply on a sliding scale for properties between $700,000 and $800,000. For new homes, the concession threshold is even more generous.

Western Australia

First Home Owner Grant: $10,000

Available for new homes only, with a property value cap of $750,000. The grant applies to building a new home, buying a new home that has not been previously occupied, or buying a substantially renovated home.

Stamp Duty Exemption

First home buyers purchasing a property valued up to $430,000 pay no stamp duty. Concessions apply for properties valued between $430,000 and $530,000.

South Australia

First Home Owner Grant: $15,000

Available for new homes valued up to $650,000. The grant amount was increased from $10,000 in recent years to stimulate new construction.

Stamp Duty Relief

No stamp duty on properties valued up to $650,000 for eligible first home buyers (for off-the-plan or new homes). Concessions apply for established homes at lower thresholds.

Tasmania

First Home Owner Grant: $30,000

Tasmania matches Queensland with a $30,000 grant for new homes, with no property value cap. This makes Tasmania one of the most generous states for first home buyers building new.

Stamp Duty Concession

A 50 per cent discount on stamp duty applies for established homes purchased by first home buyers, subject to eligibility.

ACT

The ACT does not offer a traditional FHOG. Instead, it provides stamp duty concessions. First home buyers purchasing a property valued up to $1,000,000 receive a full stamp duty exemption. The ACT has the most generous stamp duty concession of any jurisdiction in Australia.

Northern Territory

First Home Owner Grant: $10,000

Available for new homes with no property value cap. The NT also offers the Territory Home Owner Discount, which provides up to $23,928 off stamp duty for all owner-occupiers (not just first home buyers) on property purchases up to $650,000.

How to Maximise Your Benefits

The most effective strategy is to combine multiple incentives. For example, a first home buyer in Queensland purchasing a new $650,000 property could receive $30,000 from the FHOG, save approximately $15,000 through stamp duty concessions, and avoid $15,000 or more in LMI costs by using the First Home Guarantee. That is a total benefit of around $60,000 in government support and savings. Additionally, using the First Home Super Saver Scheme to accumulate your deposit provides a tax benefit that can add thousands to your savings over two to three years. If you combine the FHSSS with a family guarantee arrangement, you may be able to enter the market much sooner than you expected. We recommend speaking with a mortgage broker who specialises in first home buyer applications. They can help you navigate the various schemes, ensure you meet eligibility criteria, and find the most competitive loan product for your situation.