Grants and Schemes for First Home Buyers can be a game-changer when entering the Australian property market, especially in 2025, when costs like deposits, stamp duty, and rising property prices can make home ownership feel out of reach.
The good news?
In 2025, there’s more help than ever for first home buyers, thanks to a range of government grants, deposit schemes, and stamp duty concessions designed to make home ownership more achievable.
Whether saving for a deposit, building from scratch, or purchasing in a regional area, you may be eligible for between $10,000 and $50,000 in combined grants and concessions, depending on your location and property type. In many cases, you can combine multiple programs to supercharge your savings.
If you’re still at the early stages of planning, our First Home Loan Guide for Australians explains the entire buying process from deposit to settlement.
At Stryve Finance, we specialise in helping Australian home buyers unlock every grant and scheme they’re entitled to and guide you through the entire process, from checking your eligibility to securing the right home loan.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- The federal government schemes available in 2025
- State-by-state grants and stamp duty concessions
- How to combine benefits for maximum savings
- The easiest way to apply without missing deadlines
Let’s examine the grants and schemes that could help you save $10,000, $20,000, or even $50,000 in your pocket when buying your first home.
We also offer tailored First Home Buyer Loans to help you secure finance that works seamlessly with available grants and schemes.
What Are Home Buyer Grants and Schemes?
Home buyer grants and schemes are government initiatives designed to make home buying more affordable, especially for first home buyers who often face the biggest financial hurdles.
While the terms are often used interchangeably, they’re actually different types of support:
- Grants: Direct cash payments (usually one-off) to help cover your deposit or building costs.
- Schemes: Programs that lower the deposit you need, reduce upfront costs like Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), or give you access to shared equity arrangements.
| Grants | Schemes |
|---|---|
| Free money from the government | Government help to buy sooner |
| Adds to your deposit | Lowers the deposit you need |
| Example: First Home Owner Grant | Example: First Home Guarantee |
| Paid at settlement | Applied during your loan |
Think of it like this:
- Grants put money in your pocket.
- Schemes remove barriers that keep you from buying sooner.
Why They Exist
- To boost home ownership rates in Australia
- To help first home buyers compete in tough property markets
- To support regional development and new home construction
Stryve Finance Insight
Many first home buyers are surprised to learn they qualify for more than one program and that combining them can mean saving $20,000–$50,000 or more in upfront costs such as deposits, stamp duty, and Lenders Mortgage Insurance.
National vs State-Based Support
There are two main levels of assistance you need to know about:
- Federal Government Schemes: These apply nationwide and include programs like the First Home Guarantee and Help to Buy.
- State or Territory Grants: Each state and territory offers its own First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) and stamp duty concessions, with varying rules, amounts, and property price caps.
To understand how these benefits work alongside different mortgage types, read our Guide to Low Deposit Home Loans in Australia.
In the next section, we’ll break down every federal government scheme available in 2025, and then dive into state-by-state grants so you can see exactly what’s on offer where you live.
2025 Federal Government Schemes
Australia’s federal government home buyer schemes are designed to make it easier to purchase a property with a smaller deposit, reduce upfront costs, or provide direct purchase assistance.
These programs apply nationwide but have specific eligibility criteria based on income, previous property ownership, and property price.
Here’s what’s available in 2025:
First Home Guarantee (5% Deposit Scheme)
One of the most popular government initiatives for first home buyers.
- Deposit needed: As little as 5% of the purchase price
- LMI savings: No Lenders Mortgage Insurance, saving you up to $30,000
- Income caps: $125,000 (single) / $200,000 (couple)
- Property price caps: Vary by location (e.g., up to $900,000 in Sydney)
- Available places in 2025: 35,000
Stryve Finance Tip
This scheme often reaches its annual limit within the first few months, so we help clients pre-qualify and secure a lender spot before places disappear.
Family Home Guarantee (For Single Parents)
Specifically for single parents with dependent children.
- Deposit needed: As little as 2%
- LMI savings: No LMI costs, guaranteed by the government
- Income cap: $125,000 per year
- Available places in 2025: 5,000
- Eligibility: You may qualify even if you’ve owned property before, provided you haven’t in the past 10 years
Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee
Designed to encourage home ownership in regional areas.
- Deposit needed: 5%
- LMI savings: No LMI costs
- Income caps & property limits: Similar to the First Home Guarantee, but with regional-specific price caps
- Available places in 2025: 10,000
Extra Benefit
Regional property prices are often below metro caps, meaning your grant and scheme savings could cover a larger percentage of your property cost. In some regional areas, buyers cover up to 15% of the purchase price through combined benefits.
Help to Buy Shared Equity Scheme (NEW 2025)
A major addition for 2025.
Help to Buy Shared Equity Scheme – Ownership Split
New Home
Government funds up to 40% of the purchase price.
Existing Home
Government funds up to 30% of the purchase price.
- Government contribution: Up to 40% for new homes / 30% for existing homes
- Deposit needed: As little as 2%
- Income cap: $90,000 (single) / $120,000 (couple), higher in some states
- Repayment: You repay the government’s share when you sell, refinance, or after 30 years
Stryve Finance Insight
Shared equity can significantly lower your monthly repayments, but we’ll also help you assess the long-term impact on your ownership.
If your goal is to build new rather than buy existing, explore our flexible Construction Loans that align with grant timelines and staged payments.
First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS)
Helps you save your deposit inside your super for tax benefits.
- Max release amount: $50,000 in voluntary contributions
- Benefit: Pay less tax while growing your deposit faster
- Ideal for: Buyers still saving before purchase
State-by-State Grant and Stamp Duty Overview
In addition to the federal government schemes, every state and territory in Australia offers its own First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) and, in many cases, stamp duty concessions.
On top of grants, stamp duty concessions can save you thousands. You can estimate your savings with our Stamp Duty Calculator.
These benefits vary by location, property value, and type of home, so it’s important to check what applies where you plan to buy.
2025 First Home Owner Grant and Stamp Duty Comparison by State
| State / Territory | FHOG Value | Stamp Duty Cap | Eligibility Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | $10,000 | $800K exemption | New homes ≤ $600K, house+land ≤ $750K |
| VIC | $10,000 | $600K exemption | New homes ≤ $750K, concession ≤ $750K |
| QLD | $30,000 | $700K exemption | Contract signed before Jun 2026 |
| WA | $10,000 | $450K exemption | New homes or construction only |
| SA | $15,000 | Varies | No price cap for grant |
| TAS | $10,000 | $750K exemption | New homes only |
| NT | $50,000 | Limited | Until 30 Sep 2025 |
| ACT | N/A | Means-tested | Based on income & dependents |
Here’s the breakdown:
New South Wales (NSW)
- First Home Owner Grant: $10,000 for new homes up to $600,000, or house-and-land packages up to $750,000.
- Stamp duty:
- Full exemption: Properties up to $800,000
- Concessional rates: Up to $1 million
Combine with the First Home Guarantee to enter the Sydney market with as little as a 5% deposit.
For a detailed breakdown of rates, exemptions, and concessions, see our Stamp Duty in NSW Explained.
Victoria (VIC)
- FHOG: $10,000 for new homes up to $750,000.
- Stamp duty:
- Full exemption: Properties up to $600,000
- Discounts: $600,001–$750,000
Queensland (QLD)
- FHOG: $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 Nov 2023 and 30 Jun 2026.
- Stamp duty:
- Full exemption: Up to $700,000
- Discounted rates: $700,001–$800,000
This is the highest FHOG amount in the country right now.
Western Australia (WA)
- FHOG: $10,000 for new homes or construction.
- Stamp duty: No duty for homes up to $450,000 (land up to $300,000)
South Australia (SA)
- FHOG: $15,000 for new homes (no price cap).
- Stamp duty: Full exemption on new builds (conditions apply)
Tasmania (TAS)
- FHOG: $10,000 for new homes.
- Stamp duty: No duty for first home buyers purchasing properties up to $750,000
Some buyers also choose to upgrade or modify their new property using our Renovation Loans, which can be structured alongside your home loan.
Northern Territory (NT)
- FHOG: $50,000 until 30 Sep 2025.
- Stamp duty: Some concessions are available, but no broad first-home buyer exemption exists
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
- No FHOG for established homes, but:
- Means-tested stamp duty concessions and waivers
- Support based on household income and dependents
Stryve Finance Advantage
We assess federal and state benefits in one sitting, so you know exactly what’s available and how to stack them for maximum savings.
Can You Combine Schemes?
Yes, and this is where the real savings happen.
Many first home buyers think they can only claim one benefit. Still, you can often layer multiple grants and schemes together, as long as you meet each program’s eligibility rules.
Example Combination in NSW
- First Home Guarantee: Buy with just a 5% deposit and avoid LMI
- NSW First Home Owner Grant: $10,000 cash for new builds
- Stamp Duty Exemption: Save up to $32,000 on upfront taxes
Total potential savings: Over $50,000 on a median‑priced property.
Why Combining Schemes Works
- Federal and state programs operate independently
- Eligibility is assessed per scheme
- You can mix and match based on your location, property type, and income
Common Combinations We Arrange for Clients
- First Home Guarantee + FHOG + Stamp Duty Concession
- Help to Buy Shared Equity + Stamp Duty Exemption
- Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee + FHOG + Regional Stamp Duty Waiver
- First Home Super Saver Scheme + Any Grant (boost deposit savings first)
Stryve Finance Insight
We’ve helped clients stack benefits that cut 12–36 months off their savings timeline by reducing the deposit needed and eliminating LMI. The key is applying correctly and securing the scheme places before they run out.
How Stryve Finance Helps You Maximise These Benefits
Determining which grants and schemes you qualify for is one thing; successfully applying for them is another.
Each program has its eligibility rules, paperwork, and deadlines, and missing a step can mean losing thousands of dollars.
At Stryve Finance, we make the process simple, stress-free, and tailored to you.
Step-by-Step Process
Eligibility Check
We assess your eligibility for all federal and state programs.
Scheme Stacking
We find the best way to combine multiple schemes for maximum savings.
Lender Match
We match you with lenders that support your chosen schemes.
Application
We handle the paperwork and liaise with scheme administrators.
Settlement
We stay with you right through to property settlement.
- Full Eligibility Check
- We assess your income, property type, location, and previous ownership history
- Instantly identify all federal and state programs you can claim
- Strategic Benefit Stacking
- We find the best way to combine multiple schemes without breaching any rules
- Prioritise schemes with limited places (like the First Home Guarantee)
- Lender Matching
- Not every bank or lender supports every scheme
- We match you with lenders who work with your chosen programs and offer competitive rates
- Application Management
- We handle all the forms, eligibility proofs, and scheme-specific documentation
- Liaise directly with scheme administrators and lenders to fast-track approvals
- Ongoing Support
- We stay with you right through to settlement
- Provide updates on new grants or changes that might apply to you
Why First Home Buyers Choose Stryve Finance
- 92% success rate in securing clients at least one federal or state grant valued at $10,000 or more.
- In-depth knowledge of both federal and state housing policies
- Fast-track approvals are crucial for schemes with capped places
- No cost to you for our grant eligibility service
“We thought we only qualified for the $10K First Home Owner Grant. Stryve found two more schemes we were eligible for, and we saved over $48,000 in total. We’re now in our first home years earlier than planned.” - Emily and James, Sydney
FAQs on Grants and Schemes for Home Buyers
We’ve answered some of the most common questions first home buyers ask about government home grants and schemes in Australia.
Can I use the First Home Guarantee if I’ve owned property before?
Yes, but only if you haven’t owned a property in Australia in the last 10 years. This allows people re-entering the property market to access low-deposit opportunities.
What is the income cap for Help to Buy in 2025?
The Help to Buy Shared Equity Scheme caps income at:
- $90,000 per year for singles
- $120,000 per year for couples
- Some states offer slightly higher limits for regional areas
Do both applicants need to be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)?
Yes, if you’re buying as a couple, both buyers must meet all criteria, including citizenship or residency status, and must not have previously owned property in Australia.
Can I combine multiple schemes?
Absolutely. For example, you could combine the First Home Guarantee, the FHOG, and a stamp duty exemption in NSW, potentially saving over $50,000. The key is to apply in the right order.
How long does it take to get FHOG approved?
Approval time varies by state, but with complete documentation, it can be as quick as 1–4 weeks. At Stryve Finance, we ensure applications are error-free to speed up approval.
Do these grants apply to investment properties?
No, all grants and schemes are designed for owner-occupiers. You must live in the property for a minimum period (often 6–12 months) after purchase.
Stryve Finance Tip
Many buyers miss benefits simply because they apply late or assume they’re not eligible. A quick eligibility check with us could uncover thousands in savings.
Dylan Bertovic is the Director and Senior Finance Broker at Stryve Finance, specialising in non-traditional lending solutions. He helps clients across Australia with tiny home loans, construction finance, equipment and asset lending, refinancing, and investor loans. With deep expertise in self-employed and renovation mortgages, Dylan is known for crafting tailored strategies that get results
