Buying your first home in Australia in 2026 means navigating a patchwork of federal and state government incentives — grants, stamp duty concessions, loan deposit guarantees, and shared equity schemes — that together can save eligible buyers $20,000–$60,000 on their purchase. But the rules vary dramatically by state, the eligibility criteria are strict, and some programs are limited by funding caps that cause long waitlists. This guide gives you a complete, state-by-state breakdown so you know exactly what you're entitled to before you make an offer.
Federal Schemes: Available Australia-Wide
Before the state programs, here are the key federal schemes that apply regardless of where you buy:
- First Home Guarantee (formerly FHLDS): Allows eligible first home buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit, with the federal government guaranteeing up to 15% of the loan to avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). 35,000 places per financial year. Income caps: $125,000 single / $200,000 couples. Property price caps vary by state and city/regional location.
- Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee: 10,000 places per year specifically for buyers in regional areas. Same income caps as First Home Guarantee but separate allocation.
- Help to Buy (shared equity): The federal government co-purchases up to 40% of a new home (or 30% of an existing home) with eligible buyers, reducing the required loan. Income caps: $90,000 single / $120,000 couples. A formal rollout commenced in 2025; check current status and participating lenders.
- First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS): Allows first home buyers to save for a deposit inside superannuation (concessionally taxed), then withdraw up to $50,000 (from 2022). Particularly useful for buyers in higher tax brackets.
Use our First Home Buyer Grant Calculator to estimate the total assistance you may be eligible for in your state.
First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) by State
| State / Territory | FHOG Amount | Eligibility (New Homes Only) | Property Value Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | $10,000 | New builds or substantially renovated homes only | $600,000 (new build); $750,000 (off-the-plan) |
| VIC | $10,000 metro / $20,000 regional | New builds; regional bonus for regional Victoria | $750,000 |
| QLD | $30,000 | New builds contracted from 20 Nov 2023 to 30 Jun 2025; $15,000 ongoing | $750,000 |
| SA | $15,000 | New builds only | No cap (as of 2025) |
| WA | $10,000 | New builds; existing homes in some regional areas | $750,000 (south west); $1M (rest of state) |
| TAS | $30,000 | New builds contracted from 1 Jul 2021 | No cap |
| ACT | No FHOG (replaced by duty concessions) | — | — |
| NT | $10,000 | New or established homes (broader eligibility than other states) | No cap |
Note: FHOG amounts and eligibility rules change regularly. Always verify current amounts directly with the relevant State Revenue Office before relying on these figures.
Stamp Duty Concessions by State
| State | Stamp Duty Exemption (Full) | Stamp Duty Concession (Partial) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Under $800,000 (new builds) | $800k–$1M (new builds) | First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme; existing homes up to $650k exempt |
| VIC | Under $600,000 (existing) | $600k–$750k (tapering concession) | New builds under $1M also eligible for 50% reduction |
| QLD | Under $500,000 (existing home) | $500k–$550k | First Home Concession; separate rate for vacant land |
| SA | Full exemption on new builds under $650k (until Jun 2026) | Partial above $650k | Off-the-plan concession also available |
| WA | Under $430,000 | $430k–$530k | First Home Owner Rate of Duty |
| TAS | 50% duty concession up to $600k | — | No full exemption; broad eligibility |
| ACT | Full exemption under household income threshold | — | Income-based; replaced FHOG entirely |
| NT | First Home Owner Discount: up to $18,601 | — | Broad eligibility; existing and new homes |
What's Changed in 2025–26?
Several significant changes took effect in the 2025–26 financial year. Queensland's boosted $30,000 FHOG (introduced November 2023) reverted to $15,000 from July 2025 — buyers who contracted before June 2025 under the higher amount should confirm grant payment timing with their lender. South Australia removed the property value cap on its FHOG from 2025, making it accessible for buyers in more expensive markets. The federal Help to Buy shared equity program began formal operations in 2025; participating lenders and registration processes are available at housingaustralia.gov.au.
First Home Guarantee property price caps were also increased in some capital cities effective July 2025. In Sydney, the cap rose to $1,000,000 for the First Home Guarantee, reflecting sustained price growth in the metro market.
How to Maximise Your First Home Buyer Benefits
The optimal strategy depends on your income, the property you're buying (new vs. existing), and your state. A few principles apply broadly:
- New builds unlock more benefits. The FHOG in most states only applies to new homes. Stamp duty concessions are often more generous for new builds. If you're genuinely flexible, a new build typically unlocks more government assistance.
- Don't assume you'll exceed the threshold. Many buyers in regional areas or outer suburbs fall well within the property value caps. Don't rule out assistance before checking actual eligibility.
- FHSS before you need it. If you're at least 12 months from buying, salary sacrificing into super under the FHSS scheme is one of the most tax-efficient ways to save a deposit, particularly for earners above $45,000.
- Check income caps carefully. Most schemes use "assessable income" from the previous financial year. If you had a high-earning year and expect income to fall, you may need to wait one more year to qualify.