Grants, schemes, calculators and step-by-step guidance for Australian first home buyers. Find out exactly what you're entitled to and how much you can borrow.
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First Home Guarantee (FHBG)
5% Deposit
Buy with just 5% deposit — no LMI. Government guarantees up to 15% of the property value. 50,000 places per year. Income cap: $125k single, $200k couples.
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First Home Super Saver (FHSS)
Up to $50k
Save your deposit inside super at concessional tax rates. Contribute up to $15k/year, withdraw max $50k plus earnings. Effective tax saving vs regular savings.
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Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee
5% Deposit
Same as FHBG but for regional properties. Additional 10,000 places per year. Must have lived or worked in the regional area you're buying in.
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Family Home Guarantee
2% Deposit
For single parents and eligible single legal guardians with at least one dependent child. Buy with just 2% deposit — no LMI. 5,000 places per year.
Am I eligible?
Core eligibility requirements for the First Home Guarantee scheme. Other schemes have similar criteria — ask Finley for your specific situation.
🇦🇺Australian citizen or permanent resident
🏠Have never owned property in Australia (including investment properties)
💰Income under $125,000 per year (single) or $200,000 combined (couples)
📋Intend to live in the property as your principal place of residence
🏡Purchase price within scheme property price caps (varies by state and region)
🏦Apply through a participating lender (not all lenders participate)
State-by-state grants & concessions
On top of federal schemes, most states offer their own first home owner grants and stamp duty concessions. Thresholds change — always verify with your state revenue office.
State
NSW
$10,000
New homes <$600k
Stamp duty waived under $800k
State
VIC
$10,000
Regional only
Duty waived <$600k, concession <$750k
State
QLD
$30,000
New homes <$750k
Concession on homes <$550k
State
WA
$10,000
New homes <$750k
Exemption under $430k
State
SA
$15,000
New homes only
No general concession
State
TAS
$30,000
New homes only
50% concession on duty
Territory
ACT
$0
No FHOG
Duty waived for income-eligible buyers
Territory
NT
$10,000
New & established
Duty concession available
Your step-by-step buying roadmap
1
Check borrowing power
Use our free AI calculator. Know your number before you start looking.
2
Check scheme eligibility
First Home Guarantee, FHSS, state grants — find out what you qualify for.
3
Save your deposit
5–20% of purchase price. Consider FHSS to save inside super at better tax rates.
4
Get pre-approval
Formal pre-approval from a lender. Gives you bidding power and confidence.
5
Find your property
Search within your budget. Get building & pest inspection before committing.
6
Exchange & settle
Contracts exchanged, cooling-off period, then settlement. You get the keys. 🎉
Upfront costs to budget for
Stamp dutyVaries by state & price
Deposit5–20% of purchase price
LMI (if LVR > 80%)$5,000–$30,000+
Conveyancing / legal$1,500–$2,500
Building & pest inspection$400–$800
Loan application fee$0–$600
Moving costs$500–$3,000
Budget for approximately 5–7% of the purchase price in upfront costs on top of your deposit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a gift from parents as my deposit?
Yes — most lenders accept genuine gifts from immediate family as part of your deposit, provided a signed gift letter confirms it's non-repayable. Some lenders require you to also have genuine savings (typically 5% held for 3+ months). Ask Finley about your specific situation.
Do I qualify as a first home buyer if my partner has owned before?
No. For joint applications, both parties must be first home buyers to access most government schemes. However if you buy in your name only, you may still qualify — but only your income will be used for borrowing capacity. Speak to a broker about the best structure for your situation.
Should I buy new or established as a first home buyer?
New properties attract more government assistance (most FHOG and some stamp duty concessions are new-only), have lower maintenance costs initially, and may qualify for depreciation benefits if later used as investment. Established homes are often cheaper upfront and in established suburbs. Both can be purchased under the First Home Guarantee.
Find out exactly what you qualify for
Tell Finley your income, deposit, and state — get a personalised breakdown of every scheme and grant you're entitled to, plus your borrowing power.