Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and stamp duty concessions change frequently. Consult a licensed financial adviser or mortgage broker before making any decisions.
TL;DR: 2026 First Home Buyer Support at a Glance
In 2026, every Australian state and territory offers a combination of direct cash grants, stamp duty relief, and shared equity pathways for first home buyers. The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) ranges from $10,000 to $30,000 depending on location and whether the home is new or established. Stamp duty concessions can wipe out the entire duty bill for properties under certain thresholds—saving an additional $20,000–$40,000. With the federal Help to Buy scheme now fully operational alongside state shared-equity programs, buyers earning up to $90,000 (singles) or $120,000 (couples) can enter the market with as little as a 2% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance. The key in 2026 is understanding the stacking rules, price caps, and occupation requirements to maximise your total benefit.
State-by-State 2026 First Home Buyer Support Comparison
The table below captures the core metrics for first home buyer grants, stamp duty concessions, and shared equity programs as of July 2026. Price caps and income limits reflect the latest adjustments indexed to CoreLogic’s March 2026 dwelling price data.
| State/Territory | FHOG Amount (2026) | Stamp Duty Concession | Shared Equity Program | Key Price Cap (Metro) | Income Limit (Singles/Couples) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | $10,000 (existing/new up to $600k); $30,000 (new build $600k–$750k) | Full exemption up to $800k; concessional rates $800k–$1M | Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper (govt holds up to 40% for new, 30% for existing); also eligible for federal Help to Buy | $950,000 (Sydney) | $93,200 / $124,300 |
| VIC | $10,000 (new up to $750k); $20,000 (new regional build up to $750k) | Full exemption up to $600k; sliding scale $600k–$750k | Homebuyer Fund (govt up to 25%); federal Help to Buy available | $850,000 (Melbourne & Geelong) | $90,000 / $120,000 |
| QLD | $15,000 (new up to $750k) | Full exemption up to $700k; concession $700k–$800k (first home concession) | Federal Help to Buy only (state shared equity discontinued in 2025) | $800,000 (Brisbane) | $90,000 / $120,000 |
| WA | $10,000 (new or substantially renovated up to $750k); regional $5,000 bonus | Full exemption up to $450k; sliding scale $450k–$600k | Shared Home Ownership (govt up to 30%); also Help to Buy | $650,000 (Perth) | $90,000 / $120,000 |
| SA | $15,000 (new up to $650k) | Full exemption up to $650k; off-the-plan concession adds extra relief | HomeStart Shared Equity Option (up to 25%); federal Help to Buy | $700,000 (Adelaide) | $85,000 / $110,000 |
| TAS | $30,000 (new up to $750k) | 50% discount on duty for established homes up to $600k; full exemption for new builds up to $750k | Federal Help to Buy only | $650,000 (Hobart) | $90,000 / $120,000 |
| ACT | $10,000 (new or substantially renovated up to $750k) | Full exemption up to $1M (phased out by 2027); no duty under $1M for first home buyers purchasing off-the-plan in 2026 | ACT Shared Equity Scheme (govt up to 30%); also Help to Buy | $1,000,000 | $100,000 / $130,000 |
| NT | $10,000 (new up to $750k); additional $10,000 for regional builds | Full exemption up to $650k; no duty on new builds under $750k if owner-occupied | Federal Help to Buy only | $650,000 (Darwin) | $90,000 / $120,000 |
Data sourced from state revenue offices, NHFIC, and CoreLogic, Q3 2026.
Deep Dive: How the Federal Help to Buy Scheme Works in 2026
The federal Help to Buy shared equity scheme, originally legislated in 2024 and expanded in 2025, is now a permanent fixture in every state and territory. In 2026, it provides an equity contribution of up to 40% for new homes and 30% for existing homes. The Commonwealth retains a proportional ownership stake, and you can buy it out later at market value. Key 2026 parameters:
- Property price caps vary by state/region—aligned with the median dwelling price in each capital city (e.g., $950,000 for Sydney, $850,000 for Melbourne).
- Income eligibility: singles earning up to $90,000, couples up to $120,000, indexed annually to AWOTE (Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings).
- Minimum deposit: 2%, which can be sourced from genuine savings, First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS), or gifted funds.
- No LMI and no ongoing fees; you simply repay the mortgage on your share and can buy out the government’s equity in 5% increments.
- Place of residence requirement: you must live in the property as your principal home; renting it out disqualifies you.
Application is through participating lenders (including the major banks and several mutuals) and requires a mandatory financial counselling session before approval.
State-by-State Grant & Concession Deep Dives
New South Wales
NSW operates a two-tier FHOG: $10,000 for existing or new homes up to $600,000, and a boosted $30,000 for new builds between $600,001 and $750,000. Stamp duty has become the bigger battlefield—since 2023, first home buyers can choose between an annual property tax or upfront stamp duty. In 2026, the full stamp duty exemption applies up to $800,000, with a sliding concessional rate up to $1,000,000. The NSW Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper remains available for teachers, nurses, and police, but eligibility has been broadened to all key workers earning below $93,200 (singles). Price cap for shared equity in Sydney is $950,000.
Victoria
Victoria offers $10,000 for new builds up to $750,000 and a $20,000 regional FHOG for new homes in designated regional council areas. Stamp duty exemption applies to first home buyers purchasing a property valued up to $600,000 (saving up to $31,000), with a tapered concession up to $750,000. The Homebuyer Fund provides a government equity share of up to 25% with a minimum 5% deposit. Both the state scheme and the federal Help to Buy can be combined in 2026, effectively allowing a buyer to cover only 5% deposit with no LMI and two co-ownership partners.
Queensland
Queensland’s FHOG remains $15,000 for new homes up to $750,000. The stamp duty first home concession fully exempts purchases up to $700,000 (previously $550,000) and scales down between $700,001 and $800,000. The state discontinued its shared equity program in 2025, but first home buyers can still access the federal Help to Buy. Important: many off-the-plan apartments in Brisbane’s inner ring fall within the duty concession thresholds, making them attractive for first timers.
Western Australia & South Australia
WA maintains a $10,000 grant (with a $5,000 regional bonus for purchases north of the 26th parallel) and a full stamp duty exemption on homes up to $450,000. The Shared Home Ownership program targets households earning up to $90,000, with the Department of Communities taking a 30% equity stake. In South Australia, the $15,000 grant is paired with a full stamp duty waiver on new and existing homes up to $650,000. HomeStart’s Shared Equity Option allows a 2% deposit and no LMI, making it one of the lowest-barrier pathways in the country.
Tasmania, ACT & Northern Territory
Tasmania leads on cash grants with $30,000 for new builds, plus a 50% stamp duty discount on established homes up to $600,000. The ACT offers the highest stamp duty exemption threshold in 2026—$1,000,000 for first home buyers, effectively eliminating upfront duty for most entry-level Canberra properties. The NT offers $10,000 for new builds (double for remote builds) and no stamp duty on new homes under $750,000.
The Stacking Playbook: Combining Grants, Concessions & Shared Equity
The maximum savings come from stacking, but only within each state’s rules. In 2026, the general principle is:
- Claim the FHOG first—it’s a cash payment at settlement for eligible new homes.
- Apply for a stamp duty concession simultaneously; in most states, your conveyancer lodges both applications with the respective revenue office.
- Layer a shared equity scheme on top, either state or federal, to reduce the loan amount and deposit requirement. The federal Help to Buy works in all states and territories, while state schemes may have additional occupation or employment criteria.
Example stack in Victoria for a $700,000 new home: FHOG $10,000 + stamp duty saving of approximately $30,000 (full exemption) + Homebuyer Fund 25% equity ($175,000 contribution) + Help to Buy 15% ($105,000). The buyer’s required deposit could drop to $35,000 (5% of $700,000) with total government support exceeding $320,000 when considering equity shares. However, the shared equity must be repaid on sale or via staircasing.
Application Process: Step-by-Step in 2026
- Check eligibility: Use the state revenue office’s online eligibility calculator (e.g., service.nsw.gov.au, sro.vic.gov.au) to confirm income, property price, and citizenship/residency requirements.
- Get a home loan pre-approval from a lender that participates in the relevant shared equity scheme. Most major banks and many non-banks are approved for Help to Buy.
- Engage a conveyancer or solicitor early—they will lodge the grant and duty concession forms. For shared equity, your lender submits the application to the scheme administrator.
- Complete homebuyer education if required (mandatory for federal Help to Buy and some state schemes).
- Find a property within price caps and sign the contract subject to finance and scheme approval.
- Settlement—the grant is paid directly into the loan account or settlement funds; duty is waived or reduced; shared equity funds are transferred.
FAQ
Q: Are the 2026 grant amounts and stamp duty thresholds guaranteed throughout the year?
State and federal policies are typically set in annual budgets. The figures in this guide reflect confirmed adjustments from the May 2026 state budgets and the Commonwealth’s 2026–27 Budget. They are index-linked to inflation and house prices, so mid-year changes are uncommon but possible. Always check your state revenue office website within 30 days of applying.
Q: Can non-residents or temporary visa holders access these benefits?
Generally, no. Most grants, duty concessions, and shared equity schemes require you to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Some states (e.g., VIC and NSW) extend limited concessions to New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category Visa (SCV) who meet residency requirements. Temporary residents should consult a registered migration agent or mortgage broker for alternative pathways.
Q: What happens if my income exceeds the cap after I enter a shared equity scheme?
Shared equity schemes in 2026 typically conduct an annual “income review.” If your income rises above the initial threshold (plus a buffer of around 20%), you may be asked to begin staircasing (buying out the government’s share) or refinance out of the scheme. The exact process varies by program; federal Help to Buy allows a two-year grace period before compulsory staircasing begins.
Q: Is stamp duty fully abolished for first home buyers in any state in 2026?
The ACT has come closest, with a full exemption up to $1,000,000 for off-the-plan purchases and planned abolition by 2027. In NSW, first home buyers can opt for an annual land tax instead of upfront duty for properties up to $1,500,000. Victoria, Queensland, and SA offer full exemptions under specific price caps, but no state has eliminated duty entirely for all price points in 2026.
Q: Can I use the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS) alongside these benefits?
Yes. The FHSSS, which allows voluntary super contributions of up to $15,000 per financial year (maximum $50,000 total) to be withdrawn for a home deposit, is compatible with all grants, concessions, and shared equity schemes. In 2026, the combined FHSSS withdrawal plus shared equity deposit can, in some cases, fully fund the buyer’s minimum required contribution.
References
-
National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) – Help to Buy Scheme 2026
https://www.nhfic.gov.au/help-to-buy
Official government site detailing price caps, income limits, and application steps. Updated June 2026. -
Revenue NSW – First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme
https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/grants-schemes/first-home-buyer
NSW state revenue office with current grant amounts, duty thresholds, and eligibility tools. -
State Revenue Office Victoria – First Home Owner Grant
https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/first-home-owner-grant
Definitive Victorian source for grant amounts, regional bonuses, and Homebuyer Fund integration. -
CoreLogic Australia – March 2026 Dwelling Price Index
https://www.corelogic.com.au/research/monthly-indices
Industry data underpinning median price caps used in shared equity programs.