First Home Guarantee — Buy with a 5% Deposit
How the First Home Guarantee (FHBG) lets you buy with as little as 5% deposit without LMI. Eligibility, price caps, and how to apply.
Your First Home in 2026 — Grants, Schemes and Loans Explained
Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make — and in 2026 the support available is bigger than it has ever been. The federal First Home Guarantee now has no place limits and no income caps, Help to Buy is open in participating states, the ACT abolished stamp duty for first home buyers from 1 July 2026, and the First Home Super Saver Scheme can add thousands to your deposit through tax savings.
This site explains every major pathway: the First Home Guarantee (5% deposit, no LMI), the Help to Buy shared equity scheme (2% deposit), state-based First Home Owner Grants, stamp duty exemptions, and the FHSS scheme. Start with the deposit guide to work out how much you need, then use the state comparison to pick your market.
Figures on this site reflect 2026 rules — including the October 2025 expansion of the First Home Guarantee and the July 2026 changes to grants in QLD, TAS and the ACT. State schemes change often, so always confirm current amounts with the relevant state revenue office before you sign anything.
First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) by State
$10,000–$15,000 grants available in NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, and NT. Complete eligibility guide by state.
Stamp Duty Concessions and Exemptions by State
Save thousands on stamp duty with first home buyer exemptions and concessions. Full guide for every Australian state.
First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS) Explained
Save for your first home through super with major tax advantages. How the FHSS scheme works, limits, and step-by-step process.
Help to Buy — Shared Equity Scheme
The federal shared equity scheme where the government takes a 30–40% stake. Buy with only a 2% deposit and no LMI.
How to Choose a Home Loan — Fixed vs Variable
Compare fixed and variable rates, offset accounts, redraw facilities, LMI, and how to choose the right lender for your first home.
How to Save a Deposit Faster — LMI Explained
Smart strategies to save your deposit faster, understand LMI, and use government schemes to reduce the deposit you need.
Step by Step: From Pre-Approval to Settlement
Complete walkthrough of the home buying process — pre-approval, property search, offers, cooling-off, conveyancing, and settlement.
10 Mistakes First Home Buyers Make
Learn from the 10 most common mistakes first home buyers make and how to avoid overpaying, missing inspections, and costly errors.
Which State is Cheapest for First Home Buyers?
Compare property prices, stamp duty, grants, and total upfront costs across all 8 Australian states and territories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really buy with only a 5% deposit?
Yes — through the First Home Guarantee. Housing Australia guarantees part of your loan, so participating lenders can offer you a loan with a 5% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Since 1 October 2025 there are no place limits and no income caps, but the property must be within the price cap for your area (for example $1.5 million in Sydney and $1 million in Brisbane).
How does the First Home Super Saver scheme help me save?
You make voluntary super contributions (up to $15,000 per year, $50,000 in total) and withdraw them plus earnings for your deposit. Contributions are taxed at 15% in super instead of your marginal rate, saving most people roughly $1,500–$2,000 a year, and couples can each use their own $50,000 limit on the same property.
How much stamp duty will I pay as a first home buyer?
It depends on your state and the property value. NSW exempts homes up to $800,000, VIC up to $600,000, QLD exempts new homes entirely and established homes under $700,000, WA exempts homes up to $600,000 (from May 2026), and the ACT abolished stamp duty for first home buyers from 1 July 2026. Above those thresholds, concessional rates apply up to a limit.
What is the difference between Help to Buy and the First Home Guarantee?
Help to Buy is a shared equity scheme: the government takes a 30% (existing) or 40% (new) equity stake in your home in exchange for a smaller mortgage, and you need only a 2% deposit — but you must buy back the government's share eventually. The First Home Guarantee is not equity: the government just guarantees your loan so you avoid LMI with a 5% deposit, and you owe nothing beyond the loan itself.
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