You might have heard that there are a few different government schemes to help you buy your first home. If you’re an Australian citizen, these schemes could help you get your foot in the property market, and we’ve explained them all for you.
And yes, you can combine the schemes if you are eligible for more than one.
First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)
Take advantage of the tax benefits of super to save for your first home deposit within your super account.
Key features:
- Contribute up to $15,000 per financial year and $50,000 in total for your first home deposit in your super account.
- Withdraw up to $50,000 eligible voluntary contributions plus associated earnings when you’re ready to buy.
- You can purchase with your partner or family, and you can each access your own FHSS savings to buy the same property.
Benefits:
Save on tax – Super is generally taxed at 15%, so compared to your personal income tax rate this could be much lower. Income tax rates could be as high as 47%
There are eligibility requirements for this scheme, visit the ATO website.
Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme
Generally, when you purchase a home with a deposit of less than 20%, you’re required to pay for lender mortgage insurance (LMI), which is an additional cost to you. This scheme allows first home buyers to purchase a home with a lower deposit with the Government to guarantee part of the loan. This allows eligible buyers to avoid paying LMI.
This was previously named the First Home Guarantee.
Key features:
- First home buyers can have a minimum of 5% deposit, or as a single parent and legal guardian, you have a 2% deposit.
- There are no income caps – this scheme is available if you meet the other eligibility requirements. However, location caps do apply.
- No waiting lists – when you are ready to buy, you can apply.
Benefits:
The key benefit of avoiding the cost of LMI means you can reduce your upfront costs when purchasing a home and help you own your home sooner.
There are eligibility requirements and ongoing obligations for this scheme, visit the First Home Buyers website.
Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme
This is a shared equity scheme with the Government, where the Government contributes towards purchasing your new home. In return, the Government will hold equity in your home that is proportional to its contribution.
Key features:
- You need only need a minimum 2% deposit.
- There is a limit of 10,000 spots a year.
- This is open to both first and previous homeowners.
- The Government can contribute up to 30% for existing home and 40% for newly built homes.
- When you sell the house, the Government will proportionally share the profits and losses of the sale.
Benefits:
The key benefit for this scheme is that will help “bridge the gap” with what you have saved and being able to purchase a house that suits your needs sooner. There are income caps and property price caps depending on the location you are looking to purchase in. Read more about the eligibility requirements and ongoing obligations.
First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a grant to help first home owners to purchase or build a new home. It is an Australian Government initiative but each state funds the grant. See each website for the full eligibility requirements.
As of 1 June 2026, the grants available are:
| State | Scheme name | Grant |
|---|---|---|
NSW | The grant is $10,000 and is available when you buy a newly built or substantially renovated home or build a new home. | |
VIC | The grant is $10,000 and is available to eligible first home buyers who buy a new home or build a new home. | |
QLD | The grant is $30,000 for eligible transactions entered into from 20 November 2023. | |
SA | This is a grant of up to $15,000 for eligible first home buyers who buy or build a new home. | |
NT | This is a $50,000 grant for eligible first home buyers who buy or build a new home. | |
TAS | The grant is $30,000 for eligible transactions entered into by 30 June 2026. From 1 July 2026, the grant is up to $20,000. It is available to eligible first home buyers buying or building a new home. | |
ACT | N/A | From 1 July 2019, the ACT has ceased this grant. |
WA | This is a $10,000 grant to build or buy a new property. |
State schemes to help with stamp duty
Stamp duty (or transfer duty) is paid on major transactions such as buying property and land. As stamp duty is a State Government based duty, each state has schemes that can assist with first home buyers. Many of the concessions dependent on the price of the property. See each website for the full eligibility requirements.
As of 1 June 2026, the grants available are:
| State | Scheme name | Grant |
|---|---|---|
NSW | As a first home buyer in NSW, there could be assistance for a full exemption or a reduced rate for stamp duties when purchasing a home. | |
VIC | As a first home buyer in VIC, there could be assistance for a full exemption or a reduced rate for stamp duties when purchasing a home. | |
QLD | There are a range of concessions available for first home buyers and buyers who have owned a home before. | |
SA | Stamp duty relief for first home buyers for new homes, off-the-plan apartments and vacant land to build on. | |
NT | There may be stamp duty exemptions for purchasing house and land packages in NT. | |
TAS | As a first home buyer in TAS, there used to be exemptions for duties but these closed on 30 June 2026. | |
ACT | From 1 July 2026, first home buyers in the ACT won’t need to pay stamp duty if they meet the eligibility requirements, which include income caps. | |
WA | A concessional rate of duty, or no duty applies to first home buyers who buy a property up to location based price caps. |
