Home Buyer Grants and Concessions

Quick links:

• Federal Government Grants
• Western Australia
• Victoria
• Queensland

Federal Government Grants

From 1 October 2025, the Australian Government expanded and rebranded the former Home Guarantee Scheme (including the First Home Guarantee, Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee and Family Home Guarantee) into the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme. The key benefit remains the same: it can help eligible buyers get into a home sooner with a smaller deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), because the Government provides a guarantee to the participating lender.

Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (formerly the Home Guarantee Scheme)

Under the Scheme:

• First home buyers may be able to buy with as little as a 5% deposit; and
• Eligible single parents may be able to buy with as little as a 2% deposit.

The Scheme has expanded eligibility so there are no income caps, and it offers increased property price caps across Australia. It can be used to buy a house, townhouse or unit, whether existing or a new build (including building as part of a house-and-land journey), as long as you meet the Scheme’s rules and purchase within the relevant price cap. The Government also notes there are unlimited places and no waiting list under the expanded Scheme.

Why it matters: If you’re building, a smaller deposit requirement can bring your build forward—so you can focus on choosing the right block and builder sooner, rather than waiting years to reach a 20% deposit.

Check eligibility & price caps

First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)

The First Home Super Saver Scheme is separate to the deposit guarantee. It helps first home buyers save for a deposit by making voluntary contributions to super, then applying to release eligible contributions (plus associated earnings) when you’re ready to buy or build. It’s a structured, often tax-effective way to accelerate deposit savings, but it has caps and an ATO process—so timing matters.

Check FHSSS caps & how to apply

Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme (shared equity)

The Australian Government also offers the Help to Buy Scheme, a shared equity program designed to “bridge the gap” for buyers who have saved what they can but still fall short. Under Help to Buy, eligible buyers may purchase with a minimum 2% deposit, with the Government contributing up to 30% or 40% (depending on whether it’s an existing home or new build). The Government notes applications open Friday, 5 December 2025.

See eligibility & application dates

Important: Federal schemes have specific rules, including property price caps, lender participation, and eligibility requirements. Always confirm the latest details before you commit to a contract.

Western Australia

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

This is a lump sum payment of $10,000 for first home buyers who intend to build or buy a new home as their principal place of residence.

While the FHOG is not means tested, the WA government does set a cap on how much your land and building transaction can amount to before you become ineligible. This cap ranges from $750,000 up to $1,000,000, depending on where you live in WA. You can read the full list of rules and eligibility requirements for the FHOG on the WA government website.

Check FHOG eligibility

First Home Owner Rate (FHOR)

This incentive allows first home buyers who qualify for the FHOG to access a concessional rate of stamp duty or even avoid paying stamp duty altogether. Under the FHOR, vacant land purchases that amount to less than $300,000 do not incur any stamp duty, while transactions that are valued between $300,000 and $400,000 are entitled to a discounted rate. You can read the full list of rules and eligibility requirements for the FHOR on the WA government website.

See the FHOR Fact Sheet

Home Buyers Assistance Account (HBAA)

Buying your first place comes with a handful of “extra” costs that can catch you off guard, think inspections, loan application fees, and settlement charges. WA’s Home Buyers Assistance Account helps take the sting out of those incidentals by reimbursing eligible first home buyers up to an approved limit when they purchase an established home through a licensed real estate agent. It won’t usually apply to vacant land or private sales, and it sits alongside (not instead of) other first home benefits.

See the FHOR Fact Sheet

Keystart

Keystart is a WA Government low-deposit home loan designed to help eligible owner-occupiers get into a home sooner. Compared with many mainstream lenders, the required deposit is lower (product-dependent) and there’s no Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), which can meaningfully reduce upfront costs. Eligibility is subject to income caps, property price caps and standard lending checks. For many first home buyers and moderate-income households, Keystart reduces the cash hurdle and can be combined with FHOG and relevant duty concessions, subject to eligibility and timing.

Check Keystart eligibility & caps

Victoria

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

The Victorian FHOG is a lump sum payment of $10,000 designed to assist first home buyers who plan to build or buy a new home valued up to $750,000. Like WA, this new build has to be your principal place of residence. You can read the full list of rules and eligibility requirements for the FHOG on the State Revenue Office website.

Check FHOG eligibility

First Home Buyer Duty Exemption or Concession

First home buyers looking to build or buy a new or established home valued up to $600,000 may be eligible for a one-off stamp duty exemption. Even then, first home buyers may still qualify for a concessional rate of duty for properties valued between $601,000 and $750,000. You can read up on the full list of rules and eligibility requirements for the First Home Buyer Duty Exemption or Concession on the State Revenue Office website.

Check stamp duty sving

Principal Place of Residence (PPR) Concession

This duty concession is available to all home buyers who purchase a property (including vacant land) valued up to $550,000 which you intend to use as your primary home. You can read up on the full list of rules and eligibility requirements for the PPR Concession on the State Revenue Office website.

See if you qualify for PPR concession

Pensioner Concession

Eligible pensioners may be entitled to a one-off stamp duty exemption for a home valued up to $330,000, or a concessional stamp duty rate for a home valued between $330,001 and $750,000. In the case of vacant land purchases where you intend to build a home, both the dutiable value of the land and the construction costs will contribute to the total value. You can read up on the full list of rules and eligibility requirements for the Pensioner Concession on the VIC government website.

Check pensioner duty concession

Queensland

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

In Queensland the FHOG allows eligible first home buyers to receive a lump sum payment of $15,000 when buying or building a new home. Like other states, there is a cap placed on the value of the home you buy or plan to build, whereby it cannot exceed $750,000 (including land). You can read up on the full list of rules and eligibility requirements for the FHOG on the QLD government website.

Check FHOG eligibility

First Home Vacant Land Concession

First home buyers planning to build a new home may be entitled to a stamp duty exemption if the vacant land is valued less than $250,000. Otherwise a concessional rate of stamp duty may be payable if the vacant land is valued between $250,001 and $399,999. You can read up on the full list of rules and eligibility requirements for the First Home Vacant Land Concession on the QLD government website.

Check vacant land duty concession