Australia offers some of the most generous first home buyer incentives in the world — but they vary dramatically by state and are subject to frequent changes. A first home buyer in Queensland could receive $30,000 in cash grants plus full stamp duty exemption — saving $40,000+ on a $500,000 property. In Victoria, the same buyer receives $10,000 plus stamp duty exemption on properties up to $600,000. And these state schemes can be combined with federal programs like the First Home Guarantee (5% deposit, no LMI) and the First Home Super Saver Scheme (up to $50,000 from super). This guide is your complete reference for every scheme available in 2026.
First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) by State — 2026
The First Home Owner Grant is a one-off cash payment from your state or territory government. The amount, eligibility criteria, and property price caps differ in each jurisdiction.
New South Wales (NSW): FHOG amount: $10,000. Eligible property: New homes only (newly built, off the plan, or substantially renovated). Not available for established homes. Price cap: $600,000 for a house; $750,000 for a house and land package. Stamp duty: Full exemption on properties up to $800,000. Concession up to $1,000,000.
Victoria (VIC): FHOG amount: $10,000 (regional VIC: $10,000 — previously had a regional bonus, now standardised). Eligible property: New homes only. Price cap: $750,000. Stamp duty: Full exemption on properties up to $600,000. Concession $600,001–$750,000.
Queensland (QLD): FHOG amount: $30,000 — the most generous in Australia. Eligible property: New homes only. Price cap: $750,000. Stamp duty: Full exemption for all property types up to $500,000. Concession $500,001–$550,000. Home concession rate for owner-occupiers.
Western Australia (WA): FHOG amount: $10,000. Eligible property: New homes only. Price cap: $750,000 (south of the 26th parallel); $1,000,000 (north of the 26th parallel). Stamp duty: Full exemption up to $430,000. Concession $430,001–$530,000.
South Australia (SA): FHOG amount: $15,000. Eligible property: New homes only. Price cap: $650,000. Stamp duty: No FHB exemption on established homes. Exemption on new homes up to $650,000.
Tasmania (TAS): FHOG amount: $30,000 — equal highest with QLD. Eligible property: New homes only. Price cap: $600,000. Stamp duty: 50% discount on established homes (up to $750,000). Full exemption on new homes up to $600,000.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT): FHOG amount: Replaced with stamp duty exemption (no FHOG as such). HomeBuilder-style grant of $7,000 for new homes. Stamp duty: Full exemption up to $1,000,000 (income limits apply — $160,000 household).
Northern Territory (NT): FHOG amount: $10,000. Eligible property: All property types (new and established — unique among states). Price cap: No price cap. Stamp duty: Concession available for first home buyers.
Queensland and Tasmania Offer $30,000 Grants
QLD and TAS both offer $30,000 FHOG for new homes — three times the grant in NSW, VIC, and WA. If you are a first home buyer willing to build or buy new, these states offer the most generous cash incentives. Combined with stamp duty concessions, the total savings can exceed $40,000.
| State | FHOG Amount | Property Type | Price Cap | Stamp Duty FHB Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | $10,000 | New only | $600–750K | Exempt up to $800K |
| VIC | $10,000 | New only | $750K | Exempt up to $600K |
| QLD | $30,000 | New only | $750K | Exempt up to $500K |
| WA | $10,000 | New only | $750K | Exempt up to $430K |
| SA | $15,000 | New only | $650K | New homes up to $650K |
| TAS | $30,000 | New only | $600K | 50% discount established |
| ACT | $7,000 | New only | N/A | Exempt up to $1M (income test) |
| NT | $10,000 | All types | No cap | Concession available |
Federal Government Schemes: First Home Guarantee and FHSSS
In addition to state grants, the federal government offers two major programs:
First Home Guarantee (formerly FHLDS):
The federal government guarantees the portion of your home loan between your deposit (minimum 5%) and 20% — effectively eliminating the need for LMI. This saves $10,000–$30,000 on an average first home purchase.
Places: The scheme is limited — approximately 35,000 places are allocated per financial year across three guarantee types: First Home Guarantee (general), Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee, and Family Home Guarantee (for single parents).
Property price caps vary by location. As of 2026: Sydney $900,000, Melbourne $800,000, Brisbane $700,000, Adelaide $600,000, Perth $600,000, Hobart $600,000, regional areas $400,000–$600,000 depending on the area.
Eligibility: Australian citizens or permanent residents, aged 18+, income up to $125,000 (single) or $200,000 (couple), must be owner-occupiers, and cannot have previously owned property in Australia.
First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS):
Allows you to salary sacrifice into super (up to $15,000/year, $50,000 total) and later withdraw those contributions — plus deemed earnings — as a deposit for your first home. The tax advantage is significant: contributions are taxed at 15% inside super instead of your marginal rate. For a full breakdown, see our dedicated FHSSS guide.
Combined benefit: A first home buyer in QLD purchasing a $500,000 new home could receive: $30,000 FHOG + $0 stamp duty (exempt) + no LMI (First Home Guarantee) + $50,000+ from FHSSS = over $80,000 in combined benefits. That is a property you can purchase with as little as $25,000 in personal savings (5% deposit) — with the rest covered by government schemes.
First Home Guarantee: 5% Deposit, No LMI
The First Home Guarantee lets you buy with just 5% deposit and pay zero LMI. On a $600,000 property, this saves approximately $15,000–$20,000 in LMI that would otherwise apply. Places are limited — apply early through a participating lender or broker. The scheme does not affect your interest rate or loan terms.
How to Stack Multiple Schemes for Maximum Benefit
The most powerful aspect of Australian first home buyer incentives is that most schemes can be combined — or 'stacked' — to maximise the total benefit.
What can be combined:
FHOG + stamp duty exemption: Yes — these are separate state schemes and always stack together. The FHOG is a cash grant; the stamp duty exemption is a tax waiver. Both apply if you meet the eligibility criteria for each.
FHOG + First Home Guarantee: Yes — the federal guarantee and state FHOG are independent programs. You can receive the state grant AND use the federal guarantee for 5% deposit with no LMI.
FHSS Scheme + FHOG + First Home Guarantee: Yes — all three can be combined. Use FHSSS to build your deposit, receive the FHOG as a cash grant, and access the First Home Guarantee for 5% deposit with no LMI.
FHSS Scheme + stamp duty exemption: Yes — FHSSS funds can be used for any purpose related to the home purchase, including stamp duty (if any is payable after concessions).
Optimal stacking strategy (example — QLD first home buyer):
1. Save $15,000/year into super via FHSSS for 3 years = $45,000 + deemed earnings = approximately $48,000. 2. Apply for First Home Guarantee (5% deposit, no LMI). 3. Purchase a $500,000 new home. 4. Deposit required: $25,000 (5% of $500,000) — covered by FHSSS withdrawal. 5. Remaining FHSSS funds ($23,000) available for purchase costs and furnishing. 6. Receive $30,000 FHOG after settlement. 7. Pay $0 stamp duty (exempt under $500,000 in QLD). 8. Total out-of-pocket cost to buy a $500,000 home: approximately $2,000–$5,000 (conveyancing, inspections, moving costs) — with $30,000 FHOG arriving after settlement.
This is not hypothetical — this combination is available to eligible first home buyers in Queensland right now. Similar (though less generous) combinations are available in every state.
Start Planning 18 Months Before You Want to Buy
To maximise the FHSSS benefit, you need 12–18 months of salary sacrifice contributions before withdrawal. The First Home Guarantee has limited places (apply early in the financial year). And some state grants require specific timing. Start planning at least 18 months before your target purchase date to access every available benefit.
- ✓FHOG + stamp duty exemption = always combinable (separate state schemes)
- ✓FHOG + First Home Guarantee = combinable (state + federal)
- ✓FHSSS + FHOG + First Home Guarantee = all three combinable
- ✓No double-dipping restrictions between state and federal programs
- ✓QLD/TAS combination can reduce out-of-pocket costs to under $5,000
- ✓Income limits apply to First Home Guarantee ($125K single, $200K couple)
- ✓FHSSS requires 18+ months of planning (salary sacrifice timeline)
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Author
Sakib Manzoor
Senior Finance Wellness Expert
Sakib Manzoor is the founder of Secure Finance and brings extensive experience in Australian mortgage broking and financial wellness. Specialising in helping clients achieve their property finance goals through personalised strategies and expert guidance, Sakib is FBAA accredited and committed to providing clear, actionable advice. All content is written to meet Australian regulatory standards and is regularly updated to reflect current market conditions.