First Home Buyer Guide QLD 2026 — $30,000 FHOG, Schemes and Stamp Duty
Queensland has the highest First Home Owner Grant in Australia at $30,000 — more than triple the amount available in most other states. Combined with stamp duty concessions and the federal First Home Guarantee, first home buyers in Queensland can access substantial assistance — particularly those purchasing new builds under $700,000.
Brisbane and South East Queensland property markets have grown significantly since 2020, with the 2032 Brisbane Olympics continuing to underpin infrastructure investment and housing demand.
QLD First Home Buyer Benefits at a Glance (2026)
| Benefit | Amount / Saving | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) | $30,000 | New builds only; contract price ≤$750,000 |
| Stamp Duty — Home Concession Rate | Significant reduction | First home buyers receive home concession rate; not a full exemption |
| First Home Guarantee (FHBG) | LMI saving | QLD price cap: $700,000; income cap $125k/$200k |
| Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee | LMI saving | QLD regional cap: $550,000 |
Note: Queensland does not provide a blanket stamp duty exemption for first home buyers. First home buyers pay the home concession rate (significantly below the investment/standard rate). For new builds under $700,000, the $30,000 FHOG typically exceeds the stamp duty payable.
QLD First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
Amount: $30,000 — the highest FHOG in Australia
Eligible properties:
- New homes only — newly constructed house, townhouse, unit or apartment
- Off-the-plan contracts
- Contract price must not exceed $750,000
How it’s paid: Applied at settlement by your lender, who claims the $30,000 from the Queensland Office of State Revenue.
Established homes: Not eligible.
Effective stamp duty offset: On a $600,000 new build, QLD stamp duty at the first home buyer concession rate is approximately $8,750. The $30,000 FHOG leaves $21,250 net — meaning first home buyers effectively have no stamp duty cost AND receive significant cash assistance.
QLD Stamp Duty for First Home Buyers
Queensland does not offer a blanket stamp duty exemption for first home buyers. Instead, first home buyers receive the home concession rate — a significantly reduced rate compared to the general/investment rate.
| Purchase Price | FHB Home Concession Rate (approx.) | General/Investment Rate | FHB Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | ~$3,500 | ~$13,175 | ~$9,675 |
| $500,000 | ~$6,300 | ~$17,325 | ~$11,025 |
| $600,000 | ~$8,750 | ~$22,588 | ~$13,838 |
| $700,000 | ~$12,425 | ~$27,588 | ~$15,163 |
Figures are approximate. Queensland Office of State Revenue provides exact calculators.
For new builds under $700,000 combined with the $30,000 FHOG: the net benefit to the buyer is significant — in many cases the grant more than covers stamp duty, creating a positive net cash position.
First Home Guarantee in QLD
The federal First Home Guarantee allows eligible QLD buyers to purchase with 5% deposit and no LMI.
QLD price cap: $700,000 (Brisbane and South East QLD); $550,000 (regional QLD)
The $700,000 Brisbane cap aligns well with Brisbane’s outer and middle ring suburbs, where first home buyers can find properties in the $500,000–$700,000 range.
LMI saving on $650,000 at 95% LVR: Approximately $18,000–$24,000.
Combining Schemes in QLD — New Build Worked Example
$650,000 new build in Brisbane outer ring:
| Benefit | Value |
|---|---|
| First Home Owner Grant | $30,000 |
| Stamp duty (home concession rate) | −$10,500 (approx.) |
| First Home Guarantee (LMI saving) | ~$18,000–$24,000 |
| Net total saving | ~$37,500–$43,500 |
This is among the most generous first home buyer assistance packages available in any Australian state or territory.
QLD Housing Market Context — 2032 Olympics
Brisbane won the right to host the 2032 Summer Olympic Games. Infrastructure investment connected to the Olympics — transport, stadiums, venue precincts — is concentrated in:
- Inner Brisbane (Gabba redevelopment)
- South Bank
- Gold Coast
- Sunshine Coast
- Herston/Kelvin Grove health and education precinct
These areas have historically seen property price uplift in the lead-up to major events. While past performance is not a reliable indicator of future outcomes, first home buyers in QLD should be aware of the infrastructure investment context when assessing locations.
Note: This is general market context — not a property investment recommendation. Property investment decisions involve risk and individual circumstances vary.
QLD Property Markets for First Home Buyers
| Market | Median Price (approx.) | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane Inner Ring (0–10km) | $900k–$1.4M+ | Generally above FHBG cap; unit market more accessible |
| Brisbane Middle Ring (10–20km) | $700k–$1.0M | Near FHBG cap; established homes may exceed cap |
| Brisbane Outer Ring (20–40km) | $550k–$750k | Good access to FHBG and FHOG on new builds |
| Gold Coast | $700k–$1.0M | Above cap for houses; unit/apartment market within range |
| Sunshine Coast | $800k–$1.1M | Approaching or above FHBG cap |
| Toowoomba | $400k–$600k | Excellent access to all schemes |
| Cairns / Townsville | $350k–$550k | Regional FHBG; full scheme access |
| Mackay / Rockhampton | $300k–$500k | All schemes accessible |
Step-by-Step Process for QLD First Home Buyers
- Check FHOG eligibility — new build only, under $750,000
- Confirm First Home Guarantee eligibility — income under $125k/$200k; property under $700k
- Get pre-approval from a FHBG-participating lender
- Search properties — note $700k FHBG cap and $750k FHOG cap
- Building and pest inspection — particularly important in QLD due to termite prevalence in sub-tropical climate
- Solicitor reviews contract — QLD has a 5-business-day cooling-off period for private treaty
- Exchange contracts — deposit held in trust
- Apply for FHOG through lender at settlement
- Settlement — typically 30–60 days from exchange
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the QLD First Home Owner Grant in 2026? $30,000 for eligible new homes with a contract price up to $750,000. This is the highest FHOG in Australia.
Does Queensland have a stamp duty exemption for first home buyers? No — QLD does not offer a blanket exemption. First home buyers receive the reduced home concession rate, which significantly reduces stamp duty but does not eliminate it entirely.
What is the First Home Guarantee cap in QLD? $700,000 for Brisbane and South East Queensland; $550,000 for regional Queensland.
Can I combine the QLD FHOG with the First Home Guarantee? Yes — if you are buying a new home under $700,000 (FHBG cap) and under $750,000 (FHOG cap), you can receive both. Both schemes have independent eligibility criteria.
Key QLD Resources
- Queensland Office of State Revenue (FHOG and stamp duty): osr.qld.gov.au
- Housing Australia (FHBG): housingaustralia.gov.au
Related Guides
- First Home Owner Grant by State
- First Home Guarantee Explained
- First Home Buyer Concessions by State
- First Home Buyer Hub
This article provides general information only. Grant amounts, stamp duty rates and scheme eligibility are set by the Queensland and federal governments and can change. Always verify with the Queensland Office of State Revenue or Housing Australia before purchasing. For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a licensed mortgage broker or financial adviser. Find one through MoneySmart.
Disclosure: This article contains general comparisons of government schemes. Peakifi does not receive commissions from any government body or scheme administrator.