Start nationally, then layer in the state benefit.
The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme may help eligible first-home buyers purchase with a minimum 5% deposit and without Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Help to Buy is a different shared-equity pathway with a minimum 2% deposit for eligible buyers.
State and territory programs may add a cash grant, transfer-duty relief or both. The combination available depends on where you buy, whether the property is new or established, its price and the relevant dates and eligibility rules.
Schemes change. Use this page as a starting point, then confirm current eligibility with the relevant government authority, participating lender and your conveyancer before committing.
Low deposit and shared equity are not the same thing.
For eligible first-home buyers. From 1 October 2025 the scheme has no income caps, no waiting list and no LMI. Property-price caps, owner-occupier requirements and participating-lender approval still apply.
Check the official scheme ↗The Government can contribute up to 30% for an existing home or 40% for a new home. For FY2026, taxable-income caps are $103,000 for an individual and $165,000 for joint applicants or single parents. Property caps and annual places apply.
Check the official scheme ↗Help to Buy gives the Government an equity share in the property. That share participates in future gains or losses and must eventually be repaid under the scheme rules. It also restricts some other government shared-equity, loan or guarantee assistance.
State and territory support at a glance.
These are headline settings only. Follow the official link for definitions, contract-date rules and full eligibility.
New home up to $600,000, or land plus build up to $750,000. Duty may be nil on eligible homes up to $800,000, with a concession below $1 million.
Revenue NSW ↗New homes up to $750,000. Eligible first-home buyers may receive no duty up to $600,000 and reduced duty from $600,001 to $750,000.
SRO Victoria ↗New home under $750,000; the $30,000 rate continues from 1 July 2026. Eligible new homes receive a full duty concession, while established-home concessions have separate limits.
Queensland Government ↗No property-value cap for eligible contracts from 6 June 2024. Full duty relief may also apply to eligible new homes, off-the-plan apartments and vacant land.
RevenueSA ↗Grant price caps vary by location. Duty concessions have separate thresholds for homes and vacant land.
WA Government ↗The SRO notes the proposed rate for eligible transactions from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 is subject to assent. The established-home duty exemption ended on 30 June 2026.
SRO Tasmania ↗There is no separate FHOG. From 1 July 2026 the concession scheme has no income or property-price cap, while prior-ownership and residence rules still apply.
ACT Revenue ↗For eligible new-home contracts through 30 September 2027, with no purchase-price cap. The temporary established-home grant closed in 2025.
NT Government ↗A smaller deposit does not remove every upfront cost.
Allow for the deposit plus legal and conveyancing fees, inspections, lender or valuation costs where applicable, moving costs and a settlement buffer. Duty relief can help, but the amount depends on the jurisdiction and transaction.
The minimum scheme deposit is not automatically the right personal target.
Some costs generally sit outside the loan and need to be available in cash.
Do not let settlement consume every dollar available.
Test repayments and ownership costs against your real household budget.
A safer order of operations.
- 01Check the exact location cap.
Use the federal tool for the postcode and confirm it with a participating lender.
- 02Confirm the state rules.
Match the contract date, price, property type and buyer history.
- 03Test every applicant.
Citizenship, prior ownership, partner status and occupancy rules can all matter.
- 04Get the lending path clear.
Scheme eligibility and home-loan approval are separate assessments.
- 05Take legal advice before committing.
Have your conveyancer review the contract and any finance conditions.
First-home scheme FAQs.
Can I buy with a 5% deposit?
Eligible first-home buyers may be able to use the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme through a participating lender, subject to current eligibility, property-price caps and lender approval.
Can I combine federal and state support?
Some combinations may be available, but the rules differ by scheme, state, contract date and property type. Help to Buy also restricts some other government shared-equity, loan or guarantee assistance.
Do grants apply to established homes?
Many First Home Owner Grants focus on new homes. Duty concessions may apply differently to new and established homes, depending on the state or territory.
Does scheme eligibility mean my loan is approved?
No. The lender still assesses income, expenses, debts, deposit, property and credit criteria. Government assistance and credit approval are separate.