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Home › Services › First Home Buyer Grants & Government Schemes

First Home Buyer Grants & Government Schemes — Your Complete 2026 Guide

Navigating government grants, stamp duty exemptions, and deposit schemes can be overwhelming. This guide covers what's available across NSW, VIC, and SA — the states where Finance Hub operates — so you can understand your options before we help you make them work.

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Important: Government grants and schemes change frequently. The information below was last verified in January 2026 using official government sources. We strongly recommend checking the linked official government websites for the most current eligibility criteria and thresholds before making any decisions. This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice.

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Federal Government Schemes

Available to eligible buyers across Australia

🏠 Home Guarantee Scheme (Housing Australia)

  • Lets eligible buyers purchase with a smaller deposit — government guarantees part of the loan
  • FHBG (First Home Buyer Guarantee): Buy with as little as 5% deposit without paying LMI
  • Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee: 5% deposit for regional areas
  • Family Home Guarantee: Single parents can purchase with just 2% deposit
  • From 1 October 2025: unlimited places + higher property price caps
Official Source

🤝 Help to Buy (Shared Equity)

  • Federal shared equity scheme — government takes equity stake (up to 40% new homes, 30% existing)
  • Reduces your required loan amount significantly
  • Applications open from 5 December 2025
  • Trade-off: you share the property growth with the government when you sell or buy them out
Official Source

💰 First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS)

  • Save for your deposit inside super — withdraw eligible voluntary contributions + associated earnings
  • Tax-effective: super contributions taxed at 15% vs your marginal rate
  • Maximum withdrawal: $50,000 (from voluntary contributions made since 1 July 2017)
  • Up to $15,000 per financial year in voluntary contributions can count
Official Source
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New South Wales (NSW)

Finance Hub has a Sydney office

📋 First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme (Stamp Duty)

  • Full exemption from stamp duty for homes up to $800,000
  • Concessional rate for homes between $800,000 and $1,000,000
  • Vacant land: Full exemption up to $350,000, concession $350K–$450K
  • Must move in within 12 months and live there for 12 continuous months
Official Source

💵 NSW First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

  • $10,000 grant for new homes only
  • Property value cap: $600,000 (purchase) or $750,000 (land + build)
  • Must be Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • Neither you nor your spouse can have previously owned a home in Australia
Official Source
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Victoria (VIC)

Finance Hub has a Melbourne presence

📋 First Home Buyer Duty Exemption

  • Full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000
  • Concessional rate for properties between $600,000 and $750,000
  • Applies to both new and established homes
  • Must move in within 12 months and live there for 12 continuous months
Official Source

💵 VIC First Home Owner Grant

  • $10,000 grant for new homes up to $750,000
  • New homes only (not established properties)
  • Must be Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • Must live in the property as your principal place of residence
Official Source
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South Australia (SA)

Finance Hub has an Adelaide presence

📋 SA Stamp Duty Relief for First Home Buyers

  • Applies to new homes, off-the-plan apartments, and vacant land
  • For contracts on or after 6 June 2024: full stamp duty relief with NO property value cap (for new homes)
  • Must live in property for 6 continuous months within 12 months of settlement
  • Contracts from 13 Feb 2025: stricter rules on previous property ownership
Official Source

💵 SA First Home Owner Grant

  • $15,000 grant for new homes up to $650,000
  • Highest FHOG of any state covered in this guide
  • Must be Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • New homes and substantially renovated homes only
Official Source

🤝 HomeStart Shared Equity Option

  • Reduces your loan size through shared ownership with HomeStart Finance
  • HomeStart co-owns a portion of your property, reducing your borrowing requirement
  • Can be combined with other grants and concessions
  • Designed to help lower-income earners into home ownership
Official Source

📊 Quick State Comparison

See how the key grants and concessions compare across the three states we service.

Feature NSW VIC SA
FHOG Amount $10,000 $10,000 $15,000
FHOG Property Cap $600K / $750K (land+build) $750K $650K
Stamp Duty Exemption Up to $800K Up to $600K New homes (no cap from Jun 2024)
Stamp Duty Concession $800K–$1M $600K–$750K N/A (full relief on new)
Applies to Established? Yes (duty only) Yes (duty only) No (new homes/land only)

Figures current as of January 2026. Always verify with official government sources linked above.

🧩 How to Stack Schemes for Maximum Benefit

Eligible first home buyers can often combine multiple schemes. Here's how it works in each state.

🏙️ NSW Example Stack

  • 1 Stamp duty exemption (up to $800K)
  • 2 FHOG $10,000 (if buying/building new under $600K/$750K)
  • 3 Home Guarantee Scheme (5% deposit, no LMI)
  • 4 FHSS (withdraw up to $50K from super for deposit)

🏛️ VIC Example Stack

  • 1 Stamp duty exemption (up to $600K)
  • 2 FHOG $10,000 (if buying new under $750K)
  • 3 Help to Buy (shared equity, up to 40% new)
  • 4 FHSS (tax-effective deposit savings)

🌾 SA Example Stack

  • 1 Full stamp duty relief (new homes, no cap)
  • 2 FHOG $15,000 (new homes under $650K)
  • 3 HomeStart shared equity option
  • 4 Home Guarantee Scheme + FHSS
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A word of caution: Don't let schemes stretch you into a property you can't afford. The numbers need to work on cash flow, not just on paper. Our brokers help you model the real affordability — including rates, repayments, and living costs.

How Finance Hub Helps First Home Buyers

We don't just find you a loan — we help you navigate the entire first home buyer journey.

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We check your eligibility for ALL applicable grants and schemes — federal and state — so you don't miss anything you're entitled to.

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Application Structuring

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We guide you through paperwork and liaise with solicitors, lenders, and government bodies on your behalf.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Expert answers to the questions we hear most from first home buyers.

Generally you must be 18+, an Australian citizen or permanent resident, buying or building a new home, and never have owned property in Australia before (this includes your spouse or partner). The property must also be under the relevant price cap for your state. Each state has slightly different rules, so we recommend checking the official government websites or speaking with our brokers for a personalised eligibility check.
Yes, if you're buying a new home under both thresholds, you can receive both. They solve different problems: stamp duty exemption or concession is a state tax saving, while the FHOG is a cash grant. You can stack both where eligible.
In most states, your partner's property history affects your eligibility. If your spouse or partner has previously owned residential property in Australia, you may lose eligibility for both the grant and stamp duty concessions. The rules vary by state, so check the official government rules or speak with our team for guidance specific to your situation.
Yes, the federal Home Guarantee Scheme can be stacked with state grants and stamp duty concessions. They address different parts of the purchase — the Home Guarantee Scheme helps with your deposit and LMI, while state grants and duty concessions reduce other costs.
You make voluntary contributions to super (up to $15,000 per financial year, $50,000 total from voluntary contributions made since 1 July 2017), then apply to the ATO to withdraw these contributions plus associated earnings. The benefit is that super contributions are taxed at 15% rather than your marginal rate, making it a tax-effective way to save for a deposit.
Yes, most grants and concessions require you to move in within 12 months of settlement and live there as your primary residence for 6–12 continuous months, depending on the state. NSW requires 12 continuous months, VIC requires 12 months, and SA requires 6 continuous months within 12 months of settlement.
Most lenders require a minimum 5% deposit, though a 20% deposit avoids Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). The Home Guarantee Scheme can allow eligible first home buyers to purchase with as little as 2–5% deposit without paying LMI. Our brokers help you understand the real numbers for your specific situation and find the most suitable lender for your deposit level.
There is no fee charged to you. We are paid a commission by the lender when your loan settles. This means you receive professional loan comparison and guidance across 30+ lenders at zero direct cost to you.

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