First Home Buyer Guide WA 2026 — Grants, Stamp Duty and Keystart
Western Australia has experienced significant property price growth since 2021, with Perth’s median house price rising to approximately $780,000 as of early 2026. Despite this growth, first home buyer schemes remain well-targeted to the WA market, and the state-government-run Keystart loan program provides a distinctive low-deposit pathway not available elsewhere in Australia.
WA First Home Buyer Benefits at a Glance (2026)
| Benefit | Amount / Saving | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) | $10,000 | New builds only |
| Stamp Duty Exemption | Up to ~$14,440 | Purchases ≤$430,000 |
| Stamp Duty Concession | Partial saving | Purchases $430,001–$530,000 |
| Keystart Home Loan | Low-deposit loan | WA Government lender; income caps apply |
| First Home Guarantee (FHBG) | LMI saving | WA price cap: $600,000; income cap $125k/$200k |
WA First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
Amount: $10,000
Eligible properties:
- New homes only — newly constructed house, townhouse, unit or apartment
- Contract price threshold applies — check current Revenue WA threshold
- Property must be in Western Australia
- Applicant must not have previously owned residential property in Australia
Established homes: Not eligible in WA.
WA Stamp Duty Exemption and Concession
Western Australia offers stamp duty relief on lower-value properties. WA’s property price growth in recent years means the exemption threshold captures fewer properties than it once did.
Full exemption: Zero stamp duty on purchases up to $430,000.
Partial concession: Sliding scale for purchases $430,001–$530,000.
| Purchase Price | FHB Duty | Standard Duty | FHB Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| $350,000 | $0 | ~$11,175 | ~$11,175 |
| $430,000 | $0 | ~$14,440 | ~$14,440 |
| $480,000 | ~$4,750 | ~$16,940 | ~$12,190 |
| $530,000 | Full duty | ~$19,440 | $0 |
Figures are approximate. Use the Revenue WA calculator for exact duty amounts.
Impact of WA’s property growth: Perth’s median house price has risen significantly above the $430,000 exemption threshold. First home buyers in Perth increasingly access the concession range ($430,001–$530,000) or pay full duty — making the Keystart and First Home Guarantee programs more important than the exemption alone.
Keystart Home Loan — WA’s Unique Pathway
Keystart is a WA state government low-deposit lender specifically designed to help West Australians buy their first home. It is unique in Australia — no other state has an equivalent.
Keystart features:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | 2% (metro) or lower (regional) |
| LMI requirement | No LMI charged |
| Loan type | Variable rate (not broker-distributed) |
| Who can apply | WA residents; income caps apply |
| Intended pathway | Transitioning to a mainstream lender once equity is built |
Income caps (indicative — verify with Keystart):
- Single: ~$105,000
- Couple/family: ~$130,000
- Solo parent: ~$115,000
How Keystart differs from private lenders:
- Keystart does not charge LMI — allowing 2% deposit purchases without LMI costs
- Keystart’s interest rate may be slightly above the most competitive variable rates available from private lenders — the trade-off for the low deposit access
- Keystart encourages borrowers to refinance to a mainstream lender once they have built sufficient equity (usually when LVR reaches 80%)
Apply directly: Keystart is a direct lender — mortgage brokers do not distribute Keystart loans. Applications are made at keystart.com.au.
Keystart SharedStart — Shared Equity Program
Keystart also offers a shared equity option (SharedStart) for eligible buyers:
- Government co-purchases a portion of the property
- Reduces your loan size and repayments
- You buy out the government share over time
This is particularly useful for buyers who need to reduce their loan size below normal Keystart eligibility thresholds.
First Home Guarantee in WA
The federal First Home Guarantee allows eligible WA buyers to purchase with 5% deposit and no LMI.
WA price cap: $600,000 (Perth); $450,000 (regional WA)
The $600,000 Perth cap has become a meaningful constraint as Perth prices have risen. Most first home buyers accessing the FHBG in Perth are focused on outer suburbs or units.
LMI saving on $580,000 at 95% LVR: Approximately $15,000–$22,000.
Keystart vs First Home Guarantee — Which Is Better?
| Feature | Keystart | First Home Guarantee |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit required | 2% | 5% |
| LMI | None | None (via guarantee) |
| Lender options | Keystart only (direct) | 30+ participating lenders |
| Rate competitiveness | Slightly above market | Market competitive |
| Income cap | ~$130k (couple) | $200k (couple) |
| Loan amount limit | Capped by Keystart | Up to $600k (WA) |
| Path to refinancing | Expected once equity built | Not a consideration |
For buyers with very limited deposits (2–5%) and income under the Keystart cap, both are worth comparing. A mortgage broker can assist with the FHBG options; Keystart is assessed directly.
WA Property Markets for First Home Buyers
| Market | Median Price (approx.) | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Perth Inner Ring (0–10km) | $900k–$1.5M+ | Above all schemes; unit market more accessible |
| Perth Middle Ring (10–20km) | $700k–$1.0M | Above FHBG cap for houses |
| Perth Outer Ring (20–40km) | $480k–$750k | FHBG accessible; Keystart possible at lower end |
| Mandurah | $400k–$600k | Good access to stamp duty concession and FHBG |
| Rockingham | $450k–$600k | Stamp duty concession range; FHBG applicable |
| Bunbury | $380k–$550k | Full access to all schemes |
| Geraldton | $280k–$450k | Stamp duty exemption likely; all schemes accessible |
| Kalgoorlie | $250k–$400k | All schemes accessible |
Perth’s outer suburbs offer the best access to all scheme thresholds for first home buyers.
Step-by-Step Process for WA First Home Buyers
- Compare Keystart and First Home Guarantee — assess which suits your deposit and income
- Check FHOG eligibility — new builds only
- Check stamp duty — full exemption ≤$430k; concession ≤$530k
- Get pre-approval — from Keystart (direct) or FHBG-participating lender (via broker)
- Search properties — note $600k FHBG cap; $530k for stamp duty concession range
- Building and pest inspection — important in WA’s climate (termites active)
- Solicitor reviews contract — WA uses the REIWA standard form contract
- Exchange contracts — 3-business-day cooling-off period (private treaty, signed outside auction)
- Apply for FHOG through lender at settlement
- Settlement — typically 30–60 days
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the WA First Home Owner Grant in 2026? $10,000 for new builds in Western Australia. There is no WA FHOG for established homes.
What is Keystart and how is it different from a bank mortgage? Keystart is a WA state government home loan provider that offers low-deposit loans (from 2%) without LMI. Unlike mainstream lenders, Keystart is accessed directly (not through brokers) and has income caps. The interest rate may be slightly above the most competitive private market rates.
What is the stamp duty exemption threshold in WA for first home buyers? Zero stamp duty on purchases up to $430,000. A partial concession applies between $430,001 and $530,000.
What is the First Home Guarantee price cap in WA? $600,000 for Perth and non-regional WA. Regional WA: $450,000.
Key WA Resources
- Revenue WA (FHOG and stamp duty): wa.gov.au/revenueWA
- Keystart: keystart.com.au
- Housing Australia (FHBG): housingaustralia.gov.au
Related Guides
- First Home Owner Grant by State
- First Home Guarantee Explained
- Stamp Duty Exemptions Australia
- First Home Buyer Hub
This article provides general information only. Grant amounts, Keystart eligibility, stamp duty rates and scheme parameters are set by the WA and federal governments and can change. Always verify with Revenue WA, Keystart 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 and lenders. Peakifi does not receive commissions from any government body, scheme administrator or Keystart.