First Home Buyer Grants 2025: How to Get $50K+ in Government Support

Buying your first home can feel like a distant dream, especially with rising property prices and the challenge of saving a deposit. But for first home buyers in Australia, there’s good news—federal and state governments offer a range of generous grants, schemes, and concessions designed to help you get into your own home sooner and with less financial stress. From cash grants and stamp duty exemptions to shared equity schemes and low-deposit loans, these programs can put tens of thousands of dollars back in your pocket. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what’s on offer in 2025, how to qualify, and how one couple used these supports to unlock the door to their first home.

1. Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS)

This broad program helps first-home buyers enter the market with a deposit as low as 5%, without needing Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

• First Home Guarantee (FHBG): For first-time buyers; government guarantees up to 15% of loan, with a 5% deposit. Income cap $125k individual/$200k joint; 35,000 places available annually 

• Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee (RFHBG): Same 5% deposit support, for homes in regional areas; 10,000 spots annually 

• Family Home Guarantee (FHG): Tailored for single parents/legal guardians, allows 2% deposit with government covering remaining 18%; 5,000 spots per year 

Update 2025: Labor Government intends to remove caps and achieve universal access to the 5% guarantee for FHBG and RFHBG starting around July 2025 or January 2026 .

2. First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)

Save a deposit faster using superannuation:

• Up to $50,000 of voluntary super contributions (from up to $15k/year) can be withdrawn for a first home deposit

  
  

3. Help to Buy Scheme (Shared Equity)

Expected launch later in 2025; government takes equity stake in your home:

• Up to 40% on new homes, 30% on existing homes; income caps: $90k single / $120k couple (in initial rollout) 

After 2025 election, expectations are for expanded eligibility, higher property caps (~$850k in Perth) and 2% deposit home loans

State & Territory First Home Buyer Grants — Cash, Stamp Duty & More

State/Territory	New Build Grant	Stamp Duty Relief	Other Support
NSW	$10,000; new builds up to $600k–$750k	Full exemption ≤$800k; concessional up to $1m	Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper: govt covers 30–40% equity
VIC	$10,000; new builds ≤$750k	Full exemption ≤$600k; concessional to $750k	Victorian Homebuyer Fund: Govt takes 25% equity; buy out later
QLD	$30,000; new builds ≤$750k; program lasts until June 2025	Full exemption ≤$700k; concessional to $800k	Low-deposit government loans, Pathways Shared Equity for public housing tenants
WA	$10,000 grant; caps vary Metro ≤$750–$1m	Full exemption ≤$450k; concessional to $600k	Keystart low-deposit loans; Opening Doors shared ownership
SA	$15,000; no price limit	Full exemption for new builds	HomeStart Finance low-deposit loans
TAS	$10,000; new builds	Full exemption ≤$750k (existing homes too)	—
ACT	N/A (FHOG ceased July 2019)	Full exemption for incomes below thresholds → $250k single, $273k with dependents	Land Rent Scheme
NT	$50,000 new builds till Sept 2026; $10k for existing homes till Sept 2025	Stamp duty discount on existing homes	HomeBuild Bonus, BuildBonus programs

Note: Most of these grants require owner-occupation for 6–12 months, be Australian citizen/permanent resident, and first-home buyer status

Application Essentials & How to Maximise

1. Meet Eligibility

• No prior home ownership in Australia (sometimes broader look-back)

• Must live in property as main residence

• Be over 18 and citizen/permanent resident

• Meet income/property value caps (varies by scheme/state)

  
  

2. Gather Documents

• Identity (passport, driver's licence)

• Income (pay slips, ATO notice of assessment)

• Contract of sale/building contract

  
  

3. Apply Smart

• Federal HGS via participating lenders (bank/broker)

• FHSSS via ATO and your super fund

• State FHOG/stamp duty via state revenue office (often via your lender as part of your home loan process)

  
  

4. Combine Schemes

You can combine several:

• FHBG / Help to Buy + FHOG + Stamp Duty Exemption/Concession + FHSSSA QLD buyer could potentially unlock up to $55,778 in assistance when buying a $500,000 home with 5% deposit 

  
  

5. Get Brokers Onside

Mortgage brokers like Etairos Finance and authorised agents (Banks) can help maximise eligibility, streamline applications, and times things right .

Case Study: Jane & Tom Make It Work - Brisbane, QLD

The Buyers

• Jane (29, nurse, $70k p.a.) & Tom (32, teacher, $95k p.a.)

• Combined income: $165k – beneath FHBG cap of $200k .

• No prior home ownership.

• Want a new home in outer Brisbane for $600,000.

  
  

Eligibility

• First-home buyers (both).

• Australian citizens.

• 5%–10% deposit available.

• Property ≤$750k (FHOG) & ≤$700k (stamp duty) caps apply.

  
  

Available Support

1. Federal:

   • FHBG → 5% deposit; Govt guarantees 15%, saves $~10k in LMI 

   • FHSSS → use $50k voluntary super contributions for 5% deposit.

   • QLD Help to Buy (80% LVR) → govt equity on existing homes (30%) or new homes (40%). Could apply here if chosen.

     
     

2. State:

   • $30,000 FHOG (new build)

   • Stamp duty exemption: full for established homes ≤$700k .

   • Govt small loan for deposit shortfall & Pathways program support

     
     

The Numbers

• House price: $600,000

• Deposit: 5% = $30,000

• Using FHSSS: withdraw $30,000 from super → deposit is covered entirely

• FHBG: guarantee avoids LMI ~ $10k–$15k saved

• FHOG: +$30,000 cash

• Stamp duty: waived (~$18,000 saved)

• Extra support: state low-deposit loan covers any shortfall

  
  

Outcome

They move into their home with zero net deposit and $48k in support in hand (combining FHOG + savings from duty & LMI avoidance). They repay FHSSS contributions to super later under concessional tax rates—nicely structured! They also benefit from federal/state equity/disposition schemes.

Maximizing Your Path to Homeownership

1. Do your “grants audit”: Identify all you’re eligible for, federal & state.

2. Strategise purchase type: New build vs. existing homes affects grants.

3. Combine multiple supports: Grant + stamp duty + low‑deposit + super.

4. Use professional help: Mortgage brokers, financial advisors, grant consultants.

5. Prepare early: Gather documents, pre‑approval, time windows right.

6. Read all T&Cs: Owner-occupation rules, income/property caps, resale clauses.

7. Plan sale or equity exit: Especially with shared equity schemes like Help to Buy.

   
   

Final Take

With a well-coordinated approach using federal and state schemes, first-home buyers like Jane & Tom can unlock $40k–$60k+ in support — significantly reducing financial stress. New initiatives (universal FHBG, Help to Buy shared equity, ongoing super help) mean even more opportunities in 2025–26.

Next Steps if You’re Buying Now

1. Check your eligibility and property caps.

2. Gather your proof of ID, income, paperwork.

3. Consult a mortgage broker experienced in FHB grants.

4. Apply via participating lender for FHBG, FHSSS release.

5. Submit state grant/stamp duty application via your lender.

6. Time the FHSSS withdrawal correctly before loan settlement.

7. Move in and meet occupancy rules to keep the grants intact.

   
   

Relying on this strategic layering of support, many FHBs will find the journey to owning a home much faster and more affordable. If you'd like me to prepare customized checklists for your specific state or even run some numbers for you, I’m happy to help—just ask!