- The Home Guarantee Scheme lets eligible buyers purchase with a 5% deposit and no lenders mortgage insurance.
- Every state offers stamp duty concessions for first home buyers, with different thresholds.
- Eligibility rules and price caps change, so check the current details before you buy.
Home Guarantee Scheme
Under the Home Guarantee Scheme, the federal government guarantees part of your loan so you can buy with a deposit as low as 5% without paying lenders mortgage insurance. From 1 October 2025, income caps were removed, places became unlimited and property price caps increased. Price caps vary by state and region.
Single parents and single legal guardians may be able to buy with a 2% deposit under the Family Home Guarantee.
Help to Buy
Help to Buy is a shared equity scheme. The government contributes up to 40% of the price of a new home, or up to 30% of an existing home, in return for a share of the property. You need a deposit of at least 2%, and income and property price caps apply.
First Home Super Saver Scheme
The First Home Super Saver Scheme lets you make voluntary contributions to your super and later withdraw them, with associated earnings, for a home deposit. You can withdraw up to $15,000 of contributions from any one financial year and up to $50,000 in total.
Stamp duty concessions and grants
Each state and territory sets its own first home buyer stamp duty concessions. For example, in NSW first home buyers pay no transfer duty on homes up to $800,000 and reduced duty up to $1,000,000. In Victoria, the exemption applies up to $600,000, with a concession up to $750,000.
Most states also offer a First Home Owner Grant for buying or building a new home, with amounts and price caps set by each state.
Combining schemes
Many of these schemes can be used together. For example, you may be able to use the First Home Super Saver Scheme for part of your deposit, the Home Guarantee Scheme to avoid lenders mortgage insurance and a state stamp duty concession. Scheme rules change from time to time so check current eligibility with Housing Australia, the ATO and your state revenue office.
Source: Housing Australia, Australian Taxation Office, Revenue NSW, State Revenue Office Victoria. Last reviewed October 2026.
This article is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not credit, tax or financial advice. Lender criteria and government schemes change, so check current details and seek advice before acting.