Australian home-buyer support is a stack: federal deposit or shared-equity pathways, a state or territory grant, and state duty support can each have different definitions and dates.
The 5% Deposit Scheme
Eligible first-home buyers can use a minimum 5% deposit, while eligible single parents or legal guardians can use a minimum 2% deposit. The scheme can remove the need for lenders mortgage insurance on the supported loan.
There are no income caps or waitlists, but applicants must satisfy eligible-buyer, owner-occupier, property-price and participating-lender requirements, as well as normal credit assessment.
Help to Buy shared equity
Help to Buy applications opened on 5 December 2025. Eligible Australian citizens can purchase with a minimum 2% deposit while the government contributes up to 30% of an existing home or 40% of a new home.
Income caps, property-price caps, owner-occupier conditions and ongoing obligations apply. A government equity contribution changes future sale and refinancing decisions, so understand the full agreement.
First Home Super Saver
The FHSS scheme can allow eligible voluntary super contributions to be released for a first-home deposit. Up to $15,000 of eligible contributions from one financial year and $50,000 across years can count, plus associated earnings.
A determination and release request should be planned before contract deadlines. Ordinary compulsory employer contributions cannot simply be withdrawn under the scheme.
State grants and duty are separate
Cash-grant amounts and eligible property types differ across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and Northern Territory. The ACT no longer has a cash FHOG, while Tasmania and the Northern Territory have date-specific settings.
Duty relief can be more valuable than the cash grant and may cover an established home even where the grant is new-home only. Use Rockvale’s dated Property Rules hub, then complete the official state eligibility check.
- NSW: $10,000 new-home grant
- Victoria: $10,000 new-home grant
- Queensland: current $30,000 new-home grant
- WA: $10,000 new-home grant
- SA: up to $15,000 for eligible new homes
- Tasmania: $20,000 in the 2026–27 grant period
- ACT: concession scheme rather than cash FHOG
- NT: $50,000 eligible new-home grant in the current HomeGrown period
Common questions
Can I combine a federal scheme with a state grant?+
Potentially, where every program’s eligibility and lender requirements are satisfied. The schemes are separate and one approval does not guarantee another.
Is a first-home grant available for an established home?+
Most current cash grants focus on new homes, but state duty concessions can cover established homes in some jurisdictions. The NT’s earlier established-home cash grant no longer applies to new contracts after 30 September 2025.
Do government schemes guarantee loan approval?+
No. Participating lenders still assess income, expenses, credit conduct, security and overall eligibility.
This guide does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. Lending policies, government programs and thresholds can change. Obtain current credit, legal, tax or financial advice as appropriate.