First Home Owner Grant by State
The FHOG is a one-off cash grant for buying or building a new home. It doesn't apply to established (previously occupied) homes in most states. The amount and conditions vary dramatically by state.
| State | Grant | Cap | Key Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| QLD | $30,000 | $750,000 | Contracts until 30 Jun 2026 |
| TAS | $30,000 | $750,000 | New homes only |
| SA | $15,000 | No cap | New homes only |
| NSW | $10,000 | $750,000 | New homes only |
| VIC | $10,000 | $750,000 | New homes only |
| WA | $10,000 | $750,000 | New homes only |
| NT | $10,000 | No cap | +$10k HomeBuild bonus |
| ACT | $7,000 | $750,000 | New homes only |
First Home Guarantee (Federal) — No More Income Caps
The biggest change for 2026: the First Home Guarantee now has no income caps and unlimited places (from October 2025). The government guarantees up to 15% of your home loan, meaning you can buy with just a 5% deposit and skip Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) entirely.
On a $700,000 purchase with 5% deposit ($35,000), this saves you roughly $20,000–$25,000 in LMI. You apply through a participating lender, not directly with the government.
Help to Buy (Federal) — Shared Equity
Launched December 2025. The government contributes up to 30% of a new home's price (or 40% for existing homes), reducing both your deposit and your mortgage. You need as little as a 2% deposit. Income caps apply.
Stamp Duty Concessions
Every state offers some level of stamp duty relief for first home buyers. The best deals:
- NSW: Full exemption up to $800,000 — highest threshold in the country
- TAS: Full exemption on established homes up to $750,000
- ACT: Full exemption up to $1,000,000 (income test applies)
- QLD: Uncapped exemption on new homes from May 2025
- NT: No stamp duty on established homes up to $650,000
First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)
Save for your deposit inside super, where contributions are taxed at 15% instead of your marginal rate. Withdraw up to $50,000 when you're ready to buy. A couple can access $100,000 combined.
How to Stack Benefits
You can combine multiple schemes. Example for a first home buyer in Queensland buying a $600,000 new home:
| Benefit | Saving |
|---|---|
| FHOG (QLD) | $30,000 |
| Stamp duty exemption | ~$11,000 |
| LMI saving (5% deposit scheme) | ~$20,000 |
| FHSSS tax saving (if used) | ~$6,750 |
| Total potential saving | ~$67,750 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the FHOG for an established home?
In most states, no — the FHOG is for new homes only. However, the NT offers a separate $10,000 HomeGrown grant for established homes, and stamp duty concessions for established homes are available in most states.
Can I get the First Home Guarantee and FHOG together?
Yes. They're different schemes from different levels of government. You can combine the federal First Home Guarantee with your state's FHOG and stamp duty concessions.
What counts as a 'first home buyer'?
You (and your spouse/partner) must never have owned residential property in Australia that you lived in for 6+ months. Some states also check overseas property ownership.
Do I need to live in the home?
Yes. You must move in within 12 months of settlement and live there as your primary residence for at least 12 continuous months.