First Home Buyer Guide Australia (2026)
Buying your first home in Australia involves navigating government schemes, deposit requirements, stamp duty concessions and the home loan approval process — all at once. This hub brings together every resource first home buyers need in 2026.
Key Numbers for First Home Buyers (April 2026)
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| First Home Guarantee (FHLDS) income cap — single | $125,000 |
| First Home Guarantee income cap — joint | $200,000 |
| Minimum deposit with First Home Guarantee | 5% (no LMI) |
| FHSS maximum withdrawable amount | $50,000 |
| FHOG (QLD) | $30,000 (new builds) |
| FHOG (NSW, VIC, WA, TAS, NT, SA) | $10,000–$15,000 (new builds) |
| Stamp duty exemption threshold — NSW | $800,000 |
| Stamp duty exemption threshold — VIC | $600,000 |
| RBA cash rate (April 2026) | ~3.85% |
| Typical variable mortgage rate | ~5.75–6.25% |
Start Here
- First Home Buyer Step-by-Step Guide
- How Much Deposit Do I Need?
- First Home Buyer Checklist
- Common First Home Buyer Mistakes
Government Schemes and Grants
Federal Schemes
- Home Guarantee Scheme — All Three Guarantees Explained
- First Home Guarantee (FHLDS) Explained
- Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee Explained
- Family Home Guarantee — Single Parents
- Help to Buy Scheme — Shared Equity
- FHSS — Using Super for Your Deposit
- Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS)
- All Government Home Buying Schemes
- Scheme Comparison Table — Federal and State
- National Housing Accord Explained
Grants and Concessions
- First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) — State-by-State
- First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Exemptions
- First Home Buyer Grants by State
- Shared Equity Schemes — State Programs
Deposit Strategies
- How to Save for a House Deposit
- 5% Deposit Options for First Home Buyers
- Gifted Deposit — Can Family Help?
- Deposit Bonds Australia
- Going Guarantor on a Home Loan — Risks
Special Buyer Situations
- Buying on One Income in Australia
- First Home Buyer by Age — Your 20s, 30s and 40s
- First Home vs Investment Property — Which First?
- Housing Affordability Policy Australia
State-by-State First Home Buyer Guides
- First Home Buyer NSW
- First Home Buyer VIC
- First Home Buyer QLD
- First Home Buyer WA
- First Home Buyer SA
- First Home Buyer ACT
- First Home Buyer TAS
Quick Property Affordability Reference
| Purchase Price | Minimum Deposit (5% via FHBG) | Standard 20% Deposit | Stamp Duty (NSW, non-FHB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $25,000 | $100,000 | ~$17,990 |
| $600,000 | $30,000 | $120,000 | ~$22,490 |
| $700,000 | $35,000 | $140,000 | ~$26,990 |
| $800,000 | $40,000 | $160,000 | ~$31,490 |
| $900,000 | $45,000 | $180,000 | ~$35,990 |
First Home Guarantee income and property price caps apply. See First Home Guarantee for eligibility.