First Home Buyers · Owner-Occupiers · Rentvestors
First Home Buyers Australia Wide
Anyone can buy a property. We help identify property worthy of your investment dollars.
Grants, stamp duty concessions and the 5% Deposit Scheme can bring your first home much closer, especially if you buy new. We help you find the right property, in the right location, for the right reasons.
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Australian Government support
Four Schemes That Can Help
These national schemes can be combined with state grants and stamp duty concessions in many cases.
5% Deposit Scheme
Buy with a 5% deposit and no lenders mortgage insurance. Since 1 October 2025, no income caps and no limit on places. Price caps apply.
Family Home Guarantee
Eligible single parents and legal guardians can buy with a 2% deposit.
Help to Buy
The government contributes up to 40% of the price of a new home, or 30% of an existing home, with a 2% deposit. Income caps of $110,000 for singles and $180,000 for couples from 1 July 2026.
First Home Super Saver
Save through super with voluntary contributions of up to $15,000 a year and $50,000 in total, then withdraw them for your deposit.
State grants
First Home Owner Grants of $10,000 to $30,000 depending on the state, mostly for new homes.
Stamp duty relief
Every state offers some form of first home buyer duty exemption or concession.
5% Deposit Scheme
Property Price Caps
The maximum property price you can buy under the 5% Deposit Scheme depends on where you buy.
| State | Capital city & regional centres | Rest of state |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | $1,500,000 | $800,000 |
| Victoria | $950,000 | $650,000 |
| Queensland | $1,000,000 | $700,000 |
| Western Australia | $850,000 | $600,000 |
| South Australia | $900,000 | $500,000 |
| Tasmania | $700,000 | $550,000 |
| ACT | $1,000,000 | — |
| Northern Territory | $600,000 (Darwin $750,000 from 1 July 2026) | $600,000 |
Caps and rules are set by Housing Australia and can change. Read our guide to the First Home Guarantee Scheme.
State support
First Home Owner Grants & Stamp Duty by State
State support favours new homes. That’s one reason we focus first home buyers on new builds.
| State | First Home Owner Grant | Stamp duty |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | $10,000 for new homes up to $750,000 | No duty up to $600,000, concessions to $750,000 |
| New South Wales | $10,000 for new homes (value caps apply) | No duty up to $800,000, concessions to $1,000,000 |
| Queensland | $30,000 for new homes under $750,000 | No transfer duty on new homes or land to build; concessions on established homes |
| Western Australia | $10,000 for new homes up to $800,000 (Perth and the south) | No duty up to $600,000, concessions to $800,000 |
| South Australia | $15,000 for new homes, no value cap | No duty on new homes and land to build, no value cap |
| ACT | No grant | Duty removed for eligible first home buyers from 1 July 2026 |
Tasmania and the Northern Territory have their own grants and concessions; check current rules. Eligibility, residency and owner-occupation requirements apply in every state. Victorian buyers can read our guide to stamp duty in Victoria.
Your options
Ways Into Your First Home
There’s more than one path into the market. The right one depends on your budget, where you want to live and your longer-term plans.
House and land
Stamp duty generally on the land only, grants on new homes and a home designed for you.
Townhouses
More space than an apartment in better-located suburbs, often at a price closer to an apartment.
Apartments
The lowest entry price into well-connected locations, with stamp duty relief in several states.
Off the plan
Typically a 10% deposit with the balance on completion, giving you time to save.
Build Now, Pay Later
A house and land solution that avoids repayments while your home is being built.
Step by step
From Saving to Keys
Know your numbers
Deposit, borrowing power and buffers. Get pre-approval advice before you look.
Check eligibility
Which grants, concessions and schemes you qualify for, and the price caps.
Choose location & property
Strategy first, then location, then the property.
Contract to keys
Conveyancer review, finance, grant application, then build or settle.
The ten-year rule
A home built today will be ten years old in a decade. The one next door, built ten years ago, will then be twenty.
That age gap never closes. It shows up in maintenance bills, energy costs, depreciation and the rent a tenant is willing to pay.
What to watch
Buy Your First Home With Your Eyes Open
These are the questions we help first home buyers think through.
- Borrowing power. With the cash rate at 4.60%, test your budget at higher repayments and keep a buffer.
- Price caps. Grants, concessions and the 5% Deposit Scheme all have caps. Check before you commit.
- Living requirements. Most grants and concessions require you to live in the home, often for 6 to 12 months.
- All the costs. Conveyancing, inspections, loan fees, insurance and moving costs add up.
- Location over luxury. A smaller home in a better location often beats a bigger home in the wrong one.
- Supply nearby. Large estates of similar homes can hold back growth. Land and position matter.
- Builder strength. Check licensing, track record and home warranty insurance.
- Your next move. Your first home could become your first investment. Buy with that in mind.
Read: APRA lending changes 2026 and your borrowing capacity · Your investment journey starts here
Where we can help
First Homes Across Australia
We research selected markets across the country. Start with the state or region that fits your strategy.
Read more
Questions
First Home Buyer FAQs
What help is available for first home buyers in 2026?
The Australian Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme, the 2% Family Home Guarantee for single parents, the Help to Buy shared equity scheme and the First Home Super Saver Scheme, plus state First Home Owner Grants and stamp duty concessions.
Can I buy my first home with a 5% deposit?
Yes. Under the 5% Deposit Scheme, eligible first home buyers can buy with a 5% deposit without paying lenders mortgage insurance. Since 1 October 2025 there are no income caps or place limits, but property price caps apply.
Is the First Home Owner Grant only for new homes?
In most states, yes. The grant generally applies to new homes, including house and land, off-the-plan and newly built apartments and townhouses.
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty?
It depends on the state and price. For example, Victoria has no duty up to $600,000, NSW none up to $800,000, and Queensland and South Australia have no duty on new homes for eligible first home buyers.
Can I use my super to buy my first home?
Through the First Home Super Saver Scheme, you can make voluntary super contributions of up to $15,000 a year and $50,000 in total, then withdraw them, plus associated earnings, for a first home deposit.
Should I buy a home or an investment first?
It depends on your goals, income and where you want to live. Some buyers rentvest, buying an investment where they can afford it and renting where they want to live. Grants and concessions usually require you to live in the property.
Make an enquiry
Talk to Us About Your First Home
Tell us where you’d like to live, your budget and the type of home you have in mind. We’ll come back to you with options and the grants and concessions that may apply.
- No obligation
- Grants, concessions and schemes explained
- New homes, townhouses and apartments
- Selected locations Australia wide
First Home Enquiry
Takes about a minute.
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Anyone can buy a property
We Help Identify Property Worthy of Your Investment Dollars
Investor → Strategy → Location → Property.
General information only. properT network does not provide personal financial, legal, tax or lending advice. Grants, stamp duty, lending, planning and tax rules vary by state and change over time. Property investment carries risk, including the risk of loss. Seek independent professional advice before making any decision.
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