First Home Buyer Grants and Schemes in QLD 2026

Queensland is rapidly becoming one of the most popular destinations for first-time home buyers. Several suburbs in QLD rival major metropolitan areas in Sydney and Melbourne in terms of demand. However, with rising popularity comes increasing property prices, especially in areas experiencing infrastructure growth and urban renewal, where property rates are climbing quickly.

Buying that first home can be tough, especially with all the costs. From securing a deposit to navigating the complex world of contracts, loans, and legal requirements, purchasing a home is a significant undertaking. However, the good news is that the Queensland government offers financial assistance in the form of first-home buyer schemes, grants and concessions designed to support first-home buyers. Here, a grant is a direct payment subject to eligibility requirements, a government guarantee supports part of an eligible home loan but does not provide cash to the buyer, and a concession may reduce or eliminate transfer duty, depending on the property and purchaser.

First Home Buyer Grants and Schemes Comparison

What are the First Home Buyer Grants and Schemes available in QLD?

Government grants & schemes may reduce certain upfront home-buying costs for eligible buyers. In today’s financial market, it’s no secret that property prices have been rising at a rapid pace, and Queensland is no exception. For several aspiring buyers, the dream of owning a home can feel increasingly out of reach. Government schemes, both at the federal and state levels, aim to reduce the financial burden, boost buyer confidence and encourage more Australians to take that important first step onto the property ladder.

As property values increase, so do the associated costs, including the deposits, stamp duty, and other legal fees. Even with no deposit home loans, mortgage repayments & interest costs can represent a significant ongoing financial commitment. For first-time buyers, especially those with numerous financial commitments, saving a sufficient deposit may take several years depending on the buyer’s circumstances. Government assistance can help reduce or offset costs, making it easier to secure a home loan and complete a purchase.

There are two broad types of government support that may be available to eligible home buyers. The first one is a direct financial grant, which provides a one-off payment that may help with the cost of purchasing or building a home. It is subject to the rules of the relevant program. The second one is a government-backed loan guarantee, which doesn’t provide cash directly to the buyer. Instead, the government guarantees part of the loan to the participating lender. This may allow eligible buyers to purchase with a smaller deposit without paying LMI, subject to scheme & lender eligibility requirements.

Confused between owner occupied vs investment loans? Compare each and find what suits you!

Australian Government 5% Deposit scheme

The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme is a key initiative to help home buyers purchase with a 5% deposit. The scheme is designed to support eligible first home buyers, removing the need for lender’s mortgage insurance (LMI), making it easier to buy with a lower deposit.

Buying your first home in Victoria? Explore all first home buyer grants and schemes available in VIC!

Eligibility

Key eligibility criteria include:

• Applicants must be 18 or above.
• Each applicant must be at least 18 years old and, on the relevant Scheme eligibility date, be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• A deposit equal to at least 5% of the property value as assessed by the participating lender.
• You may apply individually or jointly with one other eligible applicant.
• You must be a first home buyer or generally not have owned a home or land in Australia during the previous 10 years.
• You must live in the property that is bought; it shouldn’t be an investment property.

How to apply?

You apply through a participating lender or broker with access to participating lenders. Before you begin, ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria, particularly regarding deposit, residency status, and ownership history. The next step is to approach a participating lender or mortgage broker, as not all lenders are on the scheme. The participating lender will verify scheme eligibility & assess the home loan application under its lending criteria.

Family Home Guarantee

The former Family Home Guarantee (FHG) is now covered under the single parent and legal guardian pathway of the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme. It may allow eligible single parents & single legal guardians with at least one dependent child to purchase a home with a minimum 2% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Under the Scheme, the Australian Government provides a guarantee to the participating lender rather than making a cash payment to the buyer. There are no income caps or limits on the Scheme places. However, applicant eligibility, property price caps, owner-occupier requirements, participating lender criteria and other Scheme conditions apply.

For Queensland, the current Scheme price caps are $1 million for Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast and $700,000 everywhere else. Buyers should confirm the cap using the official postcode checker.

Ask these 20 questions to test your mortgage broker!

Eligibility

• The applicant should be at least 18 years old and an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• You must meet the Scheme’s definition of a single parent or single legal guardian with at least one dependent.
• You need saved funds equal to at least 2% of the property’s value as assessed by the participating lender.
• You must satisfy the Scheme’s property ownership requirements & cannot own another home or property interest once the new home settles.

How to apply?

Once you contact a participating lender, you will need to provide the documents required to assess both your Scheme eligibility and home loan application. These may include proof of identity, evidence that you meet the single parent or legal guardian requirements, financial information, and relevant property or construction documents.

If you meet the Scheme requirements and the lender’s credit criteria, the lender can progress your application and confirm the next steps. You must then enter into an eligible property purchase or construction contract within the applicable timeframe and satisfy any remaining lender and Scheme conditions before settlement.

You might be interested in: Refinancing a home loan with bad credit.

First Home Owner Grant

The Queensland First Homeowner Grant is a Queensland Government initiative administered by the Queensland Revenue Office.

The First Home Owner Grant is a one-off payment to encourage and assist first home buyers to buy or build a new residential property. A substantially renovated home may qualify only in limited circumstances when it meets the Queensland Revenue Office definition and has not previously been occupied or sold as a place of residence after renovation.

Under the current Queensland Government rules, the total value of the new home and land, including applicable contract variations, must be less than $750,000; a property valued at exactly $750,000 does not qualify. The grant is $30,000 for eligible contracts signed on or after 20 November 2023. The Queensland Government has continued the $30,000 for eligible contracts signed from 1 July 2026 onward.

Use our first home owner grant calculator to estimate the grant and how much you can save with the initiative!

Eligibility

• Applicants must be 18 or older and should be Australian citizens or permanent residents.
• It must be a new home, or you should be building one.
• The applicant must be a first-home buyer who hasn’t previously received a grant or owned a residential property in Australia.
• Must move into the home as your principal place of residence within one year of the completed transaction and live there continuously for at least six months.

How to apply?

You can apply through an approved agent, usually a bank or lender, or directly to the Queensland Revenue Office (QRO). A mortgage broker can help coordinate your application with your lender but is not necessarily the approved agent that lodges the grant application. The appropriate application method can depend on the transaction and when the grant needs to be paid.

If an approved lender or agent processes the application, it may lodge the FHOG application & supporting documents on your behalf. Whether the grant can contribute toward the funds required at settlement depends on the payment timing, transaction type & lender requirements. You should not assume that the grant will replace any genuine savings or deposit required by the lender.

If you apply directly to QRO, you will need to provide the required supporting documents, which may include proof of identity, contracts & relevant construction or transaction documents, depending on the type of property & application.

Related: How rent to buy schemes work in Australia?

First Home Super Saver

The First Home Super Saver (FHSS) scheme allows first home buyers to save a deposit for their first home in their super account. A super or superannuation account is a retirement savings system in Australia, designed to help individuals save for their retirement while employed. Under this scheme, up to $50,000 of eligible voluntary contributions may count toward your FHSS maximum release amount, subject to the ATO’s rules. The amount released can also include associated earnings, while concessional contributions are generally included at 85% and applicable tax is withheld. For this, you will need a determination letter from the ATO (Australian Taxation Office) specifying the amount that can be released from your super to use as a deposit for a home loan.

The basic idea is to help you save for a first home deposit inside your superannuation. Eligible voluntary super contributions may receive concessional tax treatment compared with saving the same amount outside super, depending on your circumstances. When you’re ready to buy, you can apply to withdraw these eligible voluntary contributions plus associated earnings to use when building or buying. Up to $15,000 of eligible voluntary contributions from any one financial year, and up to $50,000 across eligible years, can count toward the FHSS maximum release amount.

Learn how offset accounts or redraw facilities may affect home loan interest and flexibility.

Eligibility

• The applicant must generally be at least 18 when requesting an FHSS determination.
• You must have made voluntary deposits to the super, either personal contributions or from your salary itself.
• The home must be a residential property in Australia, and you must live in it.
• It should be your first time using the FHSS.
• You cannot have another residential property in Australia unless the ATO accepts that the financial hardship exception applies.

How to apply?

The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS) requires some planning because only eligible voluntary super contributions can be counted toward the amount available for release. Before you request a release, you must obtain an FHSS determination from the ATO, and this determination must be obtained before ownership of any property is transferred to you.

Once you have an FHSS determination, you can request the release of your eligible FHSS amount. If you have already signed an eligible purchase or construction contract, you generally need to request the release within 90 days of signing the contract. Also, you must notify the ATO of an eligible contract within the required timeframe.

If you don’t purchase or construct an eligible home within the applicable period after requesting a release, you may need to recontribute the required amount to your super or pay additional FHSS tax, subject to the ATO’s rules.

Learn how home loan portability may allow an existing loan to be transferred to another property, subject to lender approval and eligibility.

Help to Buy Scheme

The Help to Buy scheme is a shared equity program introduced by the Australian government. It allows eligible home buyers to purchase a property with a smaller deposit. The scheme works by allowing buyers with a deposit of at least 2% to obtain a loan with an equity contribution from the federal government.

Unlike traditional home loan programs, this scheme allows the Australian government to contribute up to 40% of the purchase price of a new home or 30% of an existing home. The buyer owns the home and is named on the title, while the Commonwealth will hold a corresponding financial interest whose value changes with the property.

The size of the equity contribution can vary from up to 30% for an existing home to 40% for a new home. For the 2026-27 financial year, taxable-income limits are $103,000 for individual applicants and $165,000 for joint applicants or a single parent. The current Help to Buy property price cap is $1 million for Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast and $700,000 for the rest of Queensland. Buyers should check the applicable cap by postcode.

The Help to Buy scheme aims to assist prospective homeowners to enter the property market sooner than they would otherwise be able to, thanks to the smaller deposit and mortgage requirements. However, the scheme is limited to 10,000 places per year nationally, so availability should be confirmed before relying on the scheme.

Buying a new home, but your old one hasn’t sold yet? Read our article on bridge loans to close the financial gap!

Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years old and an Australian citizen. Permanent residency alone does not satisfy the current Help to Buy citizenship requirement.
• You must not own any other property in or outside Australia.
• Intend to live in the purchased home as their principal place of residence.
• The minimum deposit should be 2% of the property price.

Boost to Buy Scheme

While you might get confused and assume that the Boost to Buy scheme sounds exactly like the Help to Buy, you are quite off the mark. In reality, the Boost to Buy scheme is a state-level shared equity plan available only in Queensland. Announced in the 2025-26 Queensland State Budget, the scheme aims to reduce the deposit gap by providing government equity contributions.

Boost to Buy is an operating Queensland Government shared-equity scheme for eligible first-home buyers. Participants need at least 2% genuine savings and may receive a Queensland Government equity contribution of up to 30% for a new home or 25% for an existing home. The property must be valued at no more than $1 million. For the 2026 taxable income year, the limits are $155,000 for a single applicant and $232,000 for joint applicants or a single applicant with dependents.

Availability update (19th August 2026): The Boost to Buy Round 2 is open, but Southeast QLD allocations are currently exhausted. Regional QLD allocations remain available, subject to scheme & lender approval. Applicants must apply through the scheme’s approved lender.

Purchasing your first home in NSW? Here’s our guide to the First Home Owner Grant in NSW to help you navigate the process!

Eligibility 

• You must be purchasing your first home.
• You must purchase an eligible property in QLD & intend to occupy it as your principal place of residence.
• The home must be your primary place of residence, and you should have intentions of living in the home.
• A minimum deposit of 2% of the property purchase price should be provided from demonstrated savings.

Stamp Duty Concessions

Stamp duty is a tax levied on a property purchase, also called transfer duty in Queensland. It is paid to the QLD Revenue Office at the time of property settlement. The higher the property value, the more stamp duty you need to pay, with the amount payable increasing with the property’s value. Charges can run into tens of thousands of dollars. For many buyers, stamp duty concessions or exemptions can be the difference between being able to afford a home and not.

For contracts entered into on or after 1 May 2025, eligible first-home buyers may receive a full transfer duty concession when buying a new home or residential vacant land on which they will build their first home. There is no property-value cap for these concessions, although duty may still apply to land that is not used for residential purposes.

For an established first home, the separate first-home concession provides nil transfer duty for eligible homes valued at $700,000 or less, a partial concession for homes valued from $700,001 to below $800,000 and no first-home concession at $800,000 or more. The ordinary home concession may still be available above that amount.

Check Out: Reverse Mortgage and Home Equity Release.

Eligibility

• You must be a first-time home buyer in Australia or overseas.
• You need to be 18 years or older and an Australian citizen, permanent resident or specified foreign retiree.
• The property must be your primary place of residence, and you should have the intention of living there.
• You must satisfy the QRO’s occupancy & disposal requirements, including when you move in and how the property is used after acquisition.

How to apply?

The application process begins with verification to check if you’re eligible for the concession. Second, you need to gather all the necessary documents; your solicitor will usually help you during this time. You will need the First Home Buyer assistance declaration or concession-specific declaration confirming your intent to live in the property. You need the contract of sale and your identification documents. To verify your eligibility, you also need additional evidence to prove that you haven’t owned a home before.

Many buyers rely on their conveyancer or solicitor to help with the application process to avoid mistakes or delays. You need to make sure to apply before or at settlement, since the concession affects how much duty you pay. Always remember to check the latest guidelines from the Queensland Revenue Office as concession rules change.

Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme: First Home Buyers vs Single Parents/Legal Guardians

First home buyer pathway

• minimum 5% deposit
• first home buyer or no property/land ownership in Australia during previous 10 years
• individual or joint application with one other person
• no income cap

Single parent/legal guardian pathway

• minimum 2% deposit
• eligible single parent/legal guardian
• individual application
• no income cap
• must satisfy current property ownership rules

Help to Buy Vs Boost to Buy

Help to Buy

• Federal Program
• 10,000 spots nationwide
• Property price cap of up to $1 million in Brisbane

Boost to Buy

• QLD only program
• Up to $1M property cap

How First Home Buyer Assistance May Work Together?

Maximising first homeowner grants and schemes in QLD means using more than one form of government assistance, where the relevant program rules permit it, to reduce your upfront costs and ongoing property costs. In Queensland, eligible buyers may be able to combine certain grants, concessions and savings arrangements, but government guarantee and shared-equity programs have important incompatibility rules. Each scheme must be assessed separately before a buyer commits to a property.

Eligible buyers may be able to use more than one form of government assistance, where the relevant program rules permit it.

Most QLD first home grants favour new builds, while several other schemes & concessions may also apply to eligible established homes. Consider buying a newly built home or a house and land package. Existing homes may qualify for concessions, but not all grants apply. Many schemes have strict timeframes for eligibility. Contract dates can determine whether a particular grant or concession applies.

Depending on the property and buyer, the Queensland FHOG, a transfer duty concession and the FHSS scheme may be used alongside certain other assistance. However, buyers generally cannot use multiple government guarantees or shared-equity programs for the same purchase. Professional assistance can help you understand eligibility requirements, application timing and lender requirements.

Understand the Availability

In order to get the most out of government grants, it’s important to understand what is available in the city. Some schemes are run by the Queensland Government, like the FHOG and the QLD Government’s Boost to Buy. Others are federal programs, such as the Help to Buy and Home Guarantee Scheme. Each scheme has its own set of rules, eligibility criteria and application process. It’s important to check the eligibility specific to your location and situation so you don’t miss out.

Read: Understanding Debt to Income Ratio in Australia.

Choose the right property type

Choosing the right property can greatly impact your eligibility for certain schemes. The Queensland FHOG is limited to qualifying new homes, but established homes may qualify for the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, Help to Buy, Boost to Buy, and the Queensland established home transfer duty concession, subject to each program’s requirements.

Another major reason is the property price. What is the purchase price of your property? An ideal property for lenders sponsoring the schemes is a new home, a house and land package or a regional property. Choosing a property within the applicable price limits may allow you to remain eligible for one or more forms of assistance, subject to the rules of each program.

Learn how to improve your credit score before applying for a home loan.

Contract Dates & Eligibility

Contract dates can determine which grants & concessions apply to your purchase. The $30,000 Queensland First Home Owner Grant is available for eligible contracts signed on or after 20 November 2023 & continues for eligible contracts signed from 1 July 2026 onward. For contracts entered into on or after 1 May 2025, eligible first home buyers may also receive a full transfer duty concession when purchasing a new home or qualifying residential vacant land. Since eligibility rules can change, always check the current government requirements before you sign a contract.

Is your wealth tied up in assets, but you want to make a property purchase? Learn how a deposit bond may, in some transactions, be accepted in place of a cash contract deposit.

Combine Schemes

Combining schemes is another very helpful tactic to maximise the use of first-home buyer grants. Some forms of assistance can be used together, subject to each program’s eligibility & compatibility rules. For example, you can combine the First Home Owner Grant, stamp duty exemptions and the First Home Super Saver Scheme to potentially reduce the amount of deposit or transfer duty payable, depending on eligibility. However, not all schemes can be used together.

For instance, the Help to Buy program, funded federally and Boost to Buy, introduced in QLD, are both shared equity schemes, and you cannot use both on the same purchase. Understanding which programs can be used together and which aren’t is crucial. Checking the rules of each scheme can help identify which forms of assistance may be used together.

Plan your Deposit

Your deposit size can affect which first home buyer schemes may be available to you. Although some government programs can reduce the amount of deposit required, you still need to meet the minimum deposit rules of the relevant scheme.

Share equity programs such as Help to Buy and Boost to Buy generally require eligible applicants to contribute a minimum 2% deposit, subject to their respective eligibility criteria. Under the Australian 5% Deposit Scheme, eligible first home buyers may be able to purchase with a minimum 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), subject to Scheme and lender requirements.

The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS) may also allow eligible voluntary super contributions, including certain salary sacrifice and personal contributions, to be released to help fund a first home purchase. Comparing the deposit requirements and eligibility rules of each program can help you understand which forms of assistance may be relevant to your circumstances.

Consult Professionals

Navigating the complexity of multiple schemes and grants is challenging, which is why getting help from professionals may be useful. A mortgage broker can help match you with the lenders participating in these schemes and compare which products suit your deposit capacity. A conveyancer or solicitor can help you apply for stamp duty concessions, ensure that applications are presented correctly, and help lodge paperwork for schemes when they’re available. If you need personalised advice about super contributions or tax consequences, consider speaking with an appropriately licensed financial adviser or registered tax professional.

Also Read: When to Refinance a Home Loan?

How do lenders help you access First Home Buyer Grants?

Participating lenders play an important role in some government-backed home buyer programs, particularly schemes involving a government loan guarantee or shared equity arrangement. They also manage the application process, provide guidance, and leverage government guarantees to reduce the lender’s exposure to high LVR lending, but borrowers must still satisfy the lender’s credit policy & the loan’s applicable rates, fees and conditions. Several government schemes provide a guarantee to the lender that reduces the lender’s risk and allows them to offer loans to a wider range of customers than they might otherwise be willing to.

Government guarantees may reduce the lender’s exposure to high LVR lending, but borrowers must still satisfy the lender’s credit policy and the loan’s applicable rates, fees and conditions.

Several times, lenders like banks and other financial institutions participate in government-backed lending programs and include these options in their own product offerings. They serve as intermediaries, acting as the point of contact for beneficiaries, guiding them through the application process and submitting or facilitating relevant Scheme applications where the program is administered through participating lenders. Once the approval process is taken care of and all settlement requirements have been satisfied, the lender advances the approved loan funds as part of the property settlement process.

Lenders are not just loan providers; they are key enablers of government housing initiatives. By partnering with government agencies, guiding applicants through the process and managing the flow of funds, lenders make it easier for buyers to benefit from the provided schemes.

Explore Grants & Schemes That May Apply to You

At Nice Loans, we can help you understand common government schemes that may be relevant to your purchase. Whether you’re a first home buyer, a single parent or someone building a new property, we can provide personalised credit assistance & help you understand which participating lending options & government schemes may be relevant to your circumstances.

Speak with any member of our team and crack the code to unlock your dream home. Contact your trusted mortgage broker based in Brisbane and book a free consultation with one of our professionals today to take the first step toward homeownership with confidence!

FAQs