Australian Government Home Buying Schemes — Complete Guide (2026)
The Australian government — both federal and state — operates a range of schemes to assist home buyers, particularly first home buyers. Understanding which schemes you are eligible for, and how they interact, can save tens of thousands of dollars.
This guide covers every major scheme in 2026.
Federal Schemes — Available Across All States
1. First Home Guarantee (FHBG)
Who: First home buyers | Min deposit: 5% | No LMI
The FHBG allows eligible first home buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Housing Australia guarantees up to 15% of the property value to the lender.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Income cap | $125,000 (single) / $200,000 (joint) |
| Places per year | 35,000 |
| Property type | New and established |
| Price cap | Varies by state (up to $900,000 in NSW) |
See First Home Guarantee — Full Guide.
2. Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee (RFHBG)
Who: First home buyers in regional areas | Min deposit: 5% | No LMI
Same structure as FHBG but for buyers who have lived in a regional area for at least 12 months. Price caps are lower than capital city caps.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Income cap | $125,000 (single) / $200,000 (joint) |
| Places per year | 10,000 |
| Residency requirement | 12+ months in the regional area |
| Price cap | Lower than capital city FHBG caps |
See Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee.
3. Family Home Guarantee (FHG)
Who: Single parents and single legal guardians | Min deposit: 2% | No LMI
The FHG allows eligible single parents (or legal guardians) with a dependent child to buy with a 2% deposit without LMI. The buyer does not need to be a first home buyer.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Income cap | $125,000 |
| Places per year | 5,000 |
| First home buyer required? | No |
| Price cap | Same as FHBG state caps |
See Family Home Guarantee — Full Guide.
4. Help to Buy (Shared Equity)
Who: Lower-income first home buyers | Deposit: 2% | Government co-purchases up to 40%
Help to Buy is a federal shared equity scheme where the government co-purchases up to 40% (new builds) or 30% (established homes) of the property. This significantly reduces your loan size and repayments.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Income cap | $90,000 (single) / $120,000 (joint) |
| Places per year | 10,000 |
| Capital gain sharing | Yes — proportional to government stake |
| Price cap | Varies by state |
See Help to Buy Scheme — Full Guide.
5. First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS)
Who: All eligible first home buyers | Benefit: Tax-efficient deposit saving
The FHSS allows voluntary super contributions (up to $15,000/year, $50,000 total) to be withdrawn for a first home deposit. Contributions are taxed at 15% instead of marginal income tax rate.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Max withdrawal | $50,000 total |
| Annual limit | $15,000/year of eligible contributions |
| Tax saving | Marginal rate minus 15% (inside super) |
| Withdrawal tax | Marginal rate minus 30% tax offset |
6. Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS)
Who: Current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members | Benefit: Monthly interest subsidy
DHOAS provides a monthly subsidy on home loan interest for eligible ADF members. It operates across three service tiers based on years of service. It is not a deposit reduction scheme — it subsidises ongoing mortgage interest.
See DHOAS — Full Guide.
State and Territory Schemes
First Home Owner Grants (FHOG) — All States and Territories
| State | FHOG Amount | Eligible Properties | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | $10,000 | New builds only | Contract price cap applies |
| VIC | $10,000 (metro) / $20,000 (regional) | New builds only | — |
| QLD | $30,000 | New builds only | Highest FHOG in Australia |
| WA | $10,000 | New builds only | — |
| SA | $15,000 | New builds only | Second-highest FHOG |
| TAS | $10,000 | New AND established | Unique — only state offering FHOG on established homes |
| NT | $10,000 | New builds | Territory-specific rules apply |
| ACT | Nil | N/A | No FHOG in ACT |
See First Home Owner Grant by State — Full Guide.
Stamp Duty Relief
| State | Relief Type | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Full exemption ≤$800k; partial ≤$1m | Best in Australia for stamp duty relief |
| VIC | Full exemption ≤$600k; partial ≤$750k | High base rates; valuable exemption |
| QLD | Home concession rate (not full exemption) | $30k FHOG often covers duty on new builds |
| WA | Full exemption ≤$430k; partial ≤$530k | Lower threshold than NSW/VIC |
| SA | Off-the-plan concession only | No general FHB stamp duty exemption |
| TAS | 50% concession | Not a full exemption |
| ACT | Income-tested full exemption (HBCS) | Higher income thresholds than other states |
| NT | Full exemption ≤$500k | Territory Home Owner Discount |
See Stamp Duty Exemptions by State — Full Guide.
State Shared Equity Programs
| State | Scheme | Government Stake |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | NSW Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper (pilot — check status) | Up to 40% |
| VIC | Victorian Homebuyer Fund | Up to 25% |
| WA | Keystart SharedStart | Variable |
See Shared Equity Schemes Australia.
How the Schemes Stack Up Together
For a typical first home buyer in NSW buying a $750,000 new build:
| Scheme | Saving |
|---|---|
| FHOG ($10,000) | $10,000 |
| Stamp duty exemption | ~$29,240 |
| First Home Guarantee (LMI saving on $712,500 loan at 95%) | ~$22,000–$28,000 |
| FHSS (depends on contributions made) | Up to $6,000–$10,000 in tax savings |
| Total potential saving | ~$61,000–$77,000 |
Not every scheme can be combined in every situation — eligibility criteria must be independently satisfied.
Common Scheme Combinations
| Profile | Recommended Combination |
|---|---|
| Single buyer, $85k income, $35k deposit | FHSS + FHBG + stamp duty exemption + FHOG (if new build) |
| Couple, $160k joint, $60k deposit | FHBG + stamp duty exemption + FHOG (if new build); FHSS if prior contributions |
| Single parent, $90k income, $20k deposit | FHG (2% deposit) + stamp duty exemption |
| Single, $75k income, regional buyer | RFHBG + FHOG (if new build) + stamp duty exemption + FHSS |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the FHBG and the FHOG at the same time? Yes — these are independent schemes with separate eligibility criteria. A first home buyer purchasing a new build under the FHBG price cap who also qualifies for the FHOG can receive both.
What is the most valuable government scheme for first home buyers? Depends on the state and purchase price. The First Home Guarantee (LMI saving) and stamp duty exemptions (in NSW and VIC) are typically the most valuable by dollar amount.
Do I have to choose between FHBG and Help to Buy? Yes — they cannot be combined as they provide different forms of government support for the same purchase. Choose the one that best suits your income and deposit situation.
Related Guides
- Scheme Comparison Table — All Federal and State Schemes
- First Home Buyer Concessions by State
- First Home Guarantee Explained
- First Home Buyer Hub
This article provides general information only. Scheme eligibility criteria, income caps and property price limits are set by the Commonwealth and state governments and can change. Always verify current details with Housing Australia, state revenue offices or your broker. 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.