What is the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in 2025-26?

The FHOG varies by state: NSW $10,000 (new homes up to $600K), VIC $10,000 (new homes up to $750K), QLD $30,000 (new homes, extended to June 2026), WA $10,000 (new homes up to $750K), SA $15,000 (new homes up to $650K), TAS $30,000 (new homes up to $600K), ACT has no FHOG but offers stamp duty exemption, and NT offers $10,000 plus a $50,000 HomeGrown Territory grant for new builds.

What is the Federal Home Guarantee Scheme?

The Federal Home Guarantee Scheme was expanded in October 2025 with unlimited places, no income caps, and higher property price caps. It allows first home buyers to purchase with just a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). The government guarantees the remaining 15% of the deposit to the lender.

Do first home buyers get stamp duty concessions?

Yes, most states offer stamp duty concessions for first home buyers. NSW offers full exemption up to $800K (sliding to $1M), VIC full exemption up to $600K (sliding to $750K), QLD full concession for new homes and established homes under $700K, WA full exemption up to $500K (sliding to $700K metro / $750K regional), SA full exemption up to $650K, TAS 50% concession up to $750K, and ACT full exemption up to $1,020,000 (income-tested).

What is the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS)?

The FHSS allows first home buyers to withdraw up to $50,000 of voluntary super contributions (plus earnings) to use as a deposit. Contributions are taxed at 15% inside super instead of your marginal rate, creating a tax saving. You can contribute up to $15,000 per year. The scheme is available to anyone who has not previously owned property in Australia.

How much deposit do I need to buy my first home?

With the Federal Home Guarantee Scheme, you need only 5% deposit with no LMI. Without the guarantee, a 20% deposit avoids LMI. For a $700,000 property, that is $35,000 (5%) or $140,000 (20%). You also need to budget for stamp duty (which may be exempt as a FHB), legal fees (~$2,500), and inspections (~$1,000).

First Home Buyer Calculator Australia — FY 2025-26

Check your FHOG eligibility, stamp duty concessions, Home Guarantee Scheme access, and deposit requirements. Compare benefits across all 8 states and territories. Federal Home Guarantee expanded Oct 2025. QLD FHOG $30K extended to Jun 2026.

Check your first home buyer benefits

State / Territory

Benefits vary significantly by state

Property value

Purchase price or estimated value

Property type

FHOG typically only available for new homes

Household income

Combined income (some concessions are income-tested)

Australian citizen or permanent residentRequired for FHOG and Home Guarantee Scheme

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How to Use This Calculator

Eligibility Check tab

Select your state/territory, enter the property value, choose property type (new, established, or land+build), enter your household income, and confirm your citizenship/PR status. The calculator shows your FHOG eligibility, stamp duty concession, Home Guarantee Scheme access, total government benefits, and stamp duty payable.

Deposit Planner tab

Enter the property value, your state, current savings, and any FHSS withdrawal amount. See the minimum deposit (5% with guarantee or 20% without LMI), stamp duty and costs, total cash needed, and whether you have a savings gap.

Compare States tab

Enter a property value and property type. The calculator compares first home buyer benefits across all 8 Australian states and territories, showing which state offers the most benefits and the lowest effective entry cost.

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The Formula

Total Government Benefits:
Total = FHOG (if eligible) + Stamp Duty Concession + HomeGrown Grant (NT only)

Total Cash Needed (5% deposit):
Cash = Property Value × 5% + Stamp Duty (after concession) + Legal Fees (~$2,500) + Inspections (~$1,000)

Total Cash Needed (20% deposit, no LMI):
Cash = Property Value × 20% + Stamp Duty (after concession) + Legal Fees + Inspections

Savings Gap:
Gap = Total Cash Needed − Current Savings − FHSS Withdrawal

Worked Example

NSW, $700,000 established home, first home buyer

Step 1: FHOG check

Property typeEstablished (not new)

FHOG$0 (grant is for new homes only in NSW)

Step 2: Stamp duty concession

Standard stamp duty on $700K~$26,390

FHB exemption (under $800K)Full exemption — save $26,390

Stamp duty payable$0

Step 3: Deposit and costs

Home Guarantee (5% deposit)$35,000 (no LMI)

Legal + inspection costs~$3,500

Total cash needed~$38,500

Total government benefit~$41,390 (stamp duty saving + LMI saving)

Verdict: A first home buyer purchasing a $700,000 established home in NSW needs approximately $38,500 in total cash (5% deposit plus costs). The stamp duty exemption saves ~$26,390, and the Home Guarantee Scheme saves ~$15,000 in LMI. Total government benefit is approximately $41,390.

First Home Buyer Benefits by State (FY 2025-26)

FHOG amounts and caps

State	FHOG (New Homes)	Property Cap	Notes
NSW	$10,000	$600,000	New homes only
VIC	$10,000	$750,000	New homes only
QLD	$30,000	$750,000	Extended to Jun 2026
WA	$10,000	$750,000	New homes only
SA	$15,000	$650,000	New homes only
TAS	$30,000	$600,000	New homes only
ACT	—	—	No FHOG; stamp duty exemption instead
NT	$10,000 + $50K	$750,000	+$50K HomeGrown Territory grant (new builds)

FHOG is for new homes only in all states. QLD $30K extended to June 2026. You must be a citizen/PR and never have owned property in Australia.

Stamp duty concessions for first home buyers

State	Concession
NSW	Full exemption ≤ $800K, sliding to $1M
VIC	Full exemption ≤ $600K, sliding to $750K
QLD	New homes: full concession. Established: ≤ $700K
WA	Full ≤ $500K, sliding to $700K metro / $750K regional
SA	Full exemption ≤ $650K eligible homes
TAS	50% concession ≤ $750K
ACT	Full exemption ≤ $1,020,000 (income-tested)
NT	Generous concessions ≤ $650K

WA: $700K metro / $750K regional (not $600K). Thresholds updated March 2025.

Federal Home Guarantee Scheme (expanded Oct 2025)

The Federal Home Guarantee Scheme was expanded in October 2025 with major changes:

Unlimited places — no more annual caps
No income caps — previously $125K single / $200K couple
Higher property price caps — increased in all capital cities and regions
5% deposit — no LMI payable, government guarantees the remaining 15%
Available to first home buyers who are Australian citizens or permanent residents

First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS)

The FHSS allows you to withdraw up to $50,000 of voluntary super contributions (plus deemed earnings) to use as a home deposit. Key details:

Maximum $15,000 per financial year in voluntary contributions
Contributions taxed at 15% inside super (vs your marginal rate outside)
Tax saving of 16c–30c per dollar for most people
Must apply to ATO for a FHSS determination before requesting release
Withdrawal taxed at marginal rate minus 30% offset
Must sign contract to buy or build within 12 months of withdrawal (extensions available)

FAQ

Can I get the FHOG for an established home? ▼

No. In all Australian states and territories, the FHOG is only available for new homes (newly built, off-the-plan, or substantially renovated). Established (previously lived-in) homes are not eligible. However, you may still qualify for stamp duty concessions on established homes, which can be worth tens of thousands of dollars depending on your state.

Do I need a 20% deposit to avoid LMI? ▼

Not if you use the Federal Home Guarantee Scheme. With the guarantee (expanded Oct 2025 with unlimited places), you only need a 5% deposit and the government guarantees the remaining 15% to the lender, so no LMI is payable. Without the guarantee, you typically need 20% deposit to avoid LMI, or you can pay LMI (which can cost $5,000–$30,000+ depending on the loan amount and LVR).

What counts as a "first home buyer"? ▼

Generally, you must never have owned or co-owned a residential property in Australia. This includes investment properties. You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (New Zealand citizens may qualify in some states). You must intend to live in the property as your principal place of residence for at least 6–12 months (varies by state). Each state has its own specific eligibility criteria.

Can a couple both claim the FHOG? ▼

No. Only one FHOG is payable per eligible transaction, regardless of how many people are on the title. If you are buying as a couple, you receive one grant (not two). Both buyers must meet the eligibility criteria (never owned property before). If one partner has previously owned property, the grant may not be available even if the other partner has not.

How long do I have to live in the property? ▼

Most states require you to move into the property within 12 months of purchase and live there as your principal place of residence for a continuous period, typically 6 to 12 months. NSW requires 12 months continuous occupancy. VIC requires 12 months. QLD requires 12 months. If you fail to meet the residency requirement, you may be required to repay the FHOG and any stamp duty concessions.

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