First Home Buyer Grants and Stamp Duty Concessions by State 2026
Every cash grant, stamp duty threshold, and concession across all eight states and territories, based on current legislation.
First home buyer grants state by state comparison 2026
People searching this topic are typically asking: “first home owners grant state by state comparison”, “stamp duty exemption threshold NSW VIC QLD 2026”, and “does the first home owner grant apply to established homes”.
Grant amounts and stamp duty thresholds are current as at July 2026 and subject to change. Always verify with your state revenue office or broker before exchanging contracts.
NSW First Home Buyer Grants and Stamp Duty 2026
The NSW First Home Owner Grant pays $10,000 for new homes only. Established homes do not qualify for the cash grant. However, NSW stamp duty exemptions apply to both new and established properties, with different thresholds for each.
People searching this also ask: “stamp duty exemption threshold NSW 2026”, “first home buyer grant NSW established home”, and “NSW annual property tax first home buyer”.
The cash grant
The $10,000 FHOG applies to new homes and house and land packages. For a new build, the property value must be at or below $600,000. For house and land packages, the combined value must be at or below $750,000. The grant is paid at settlement for off-the-plan or completed new homes, or at the first progress payment for construction contracts. You must move in within 12 months and occupy the property continuously for at least 12 months.
The stamp duty rule
NSW provides full transfer duty exemption for first home buyers on both new and established homes up to $800,000. A sliding concession applies from $800,000 to $1,000,000. Above $1,000,000 full duty applies. Both new and established homes qualify for the $800,000 threshold, there is no separate lower threshold for established homes in the current framework.
NSW also offers an alternative to paying stamp duty upfront: the Annual Property Tax. Eligible buyers can choose to pay a smaller ongoing annual tax based on land value instead of a one-off duty payment at settlement. This choice is permanent for that ownership and can benefit buyers who want to preserve cash at settlement but intend to sell within a few years.
VIC First Home Buyer Grants and Stamp Duty 2026
Victoria’s First Home Owner Grant pays $10,000 for new homes valued up to $750,000. Victoria is notable for offering full stamp duty exemption on both new and established homes under $600,000, one of the few states where the stamp duty exemption applies equally to existing properties.
People searching this also ask: “stamp duty exemption threshold Victoria 2026”, “Victorian first home buyer grant established home”, and “Victorian Homebuyer Fund eligibility 2026”.
The cash grant
The $10,000 FHOG applies to new homes and house and land packages up to $750,000. You must move in within 12 months and occupy the property as your primary residence for at least 12 continuous months. Substantially renovated homes may also qualify under specific criteria.
The stamp duty rule
Victoria provides a full land transfer duty exemption on properties valued up to $600,000, applying equally to both new and established homes. A concession applies on properties from $600,000 to $750,000. Off-the-plan purchases attract an additional concession where duty is calculated on the land value only at contract date, which can significantly reduce the duty on apartment purchases.
Victorian Homebuyer Fund
Victoria also operates a state shared equity scheme in which the government contributes up to 25% of the purchase price. Buyers need a minimum 5% deposit and no LMI applies. This is separate from the federal First Home Guarantee and has its own income caps and property price limits.
QLD First Home Buyer Grants and Stamp Duty 2026
People searching this also ask: “stamp duty exemption threshold QLD 2026”, “QLD first home grant established home”, and “Queensland transfer duty first home concession”.
The cash grant
The $30,000 FHOG, continued for eligible contracts signed from 1 July 2026, applies to new homes, off-the-plan apartments, and house and land packages valued under $750,000. Substantially renovated homes may also qualify. You must occupy the property as your primary residence within 12 months of settlement and live there continuously for at least 6 months.
The stamp duty rule
Queensland provides a full transfer duty concession on established homes up to $700,000. A tapering concession applies from $700,000 to $800,000. For new homes, from 1 May 2025 a full stamp duty exemption applies with no property value cap, a significant advantage for buyers in Brisbane and other high-value markets. On a new home of any value, no transfer duty applies.
Combining schemes can save you $40,000 to $75,000
State grants, federal guarantee, and stamp duty exemptions all stack on top of each other.
WA First Home Buyer Grants and Stamp Duty 2026
Western Australia pays a
0,000 FHOG for new homes valued up to $800,000 south of the 26th parallel or
,000,000 north of it. The grant applies statewide to new builds, off-the-plan purchases, and owner-built homes. Stamp duty exemptions apply to both new and established properties but the thresholds are lower than most other states, making the rising Perth market a particular challenge for first buyers relying on these concessions.
People searching this also ask: “first home buyer grant WA 2026”, “stamp duty exemption Perth first home buyer”, and “WA transfer duty threshold 2026”.
The cash grant
The $10,000 FHOG applies to new builds, off-the-plan properties, and house and land packages valued up to $800,000 south of the 26th parallel or $1,000,000 north of it, for eligible transactions from 7 May 2026. You must occupy the property as your primary residence within 12 months and live there for at least 6 continuous months. The grant is processed through your lender or conveyancer at settlement.
The stamp duty rule
From 7 May 2026, following the WA 2026-27 State Budget, the full transfer duty exemption for first home buyers increased from $500,000 to $600,000. A tapering concession now applies from $600,000 to $800,000 (previously $700,000). This applies to both new and established homes. Perth’s rising median had pushed many properties above the old $500,000 threshold, making this increase a meaningful improvement for buyers in outer suburbs and regional centres. Legislation formalises these changes from 28 July 2026. Buyers who signed between 7 May and 28 July will receive a refund of any difference paid at the old rates once the bill passes.
SA First Home Buyer Grants and Stamp Duty 2026
South Australia’s First Home Owner Grant pays $15,000 for new homes with no property value cap, the most straightforward grant structure in the country. SA has completely removed the property value limit on the FHOG for new builds. The grant does not apply to established homes. SA also offers a stamp duty concession of up to $15,500 for eligible first home buyers of new properties.
People searching this also ask: “first home buyer grant SA 2026”, “south australia stamp duty first home buyer”, “HomeStart Finance SA eligibility”, and “SA FHOG no price cap”.
The cash grant
The $15,000 FHOG applies to new builds, off-the-plan properties, and house and land packages with no property value cap. Established homes do not qualify. You must occupy the property as your primary residence within 12 months and live there for at least 6 continuous months.
The stamp duty rule
South Australia provides a stamp duty concession of up to $15,500 for eligible first home buyers of new homes. There is no property value cap on the concession for new builds. Eligible first home buyers may pay no stamp duty on a new home, with no property value cap.
HomeStart Finance, SA’s unique advantage
South Australia is the only state with a dedicated government home lender: HomeStart Finance. The standard HomeStart loan requires a 5% deposit with no LMI. For eligible graduates holding a Certificate III qualification or higher from a university, TAFE, or registered training organisation, the HomeStart Graduate Loan reduces this to a 2% deposit with no LMI. HomeStart applies more flexible genuine savings criteria than mainstream lenders and uses a Loan Provision Charge instead of LMI. If you are buying in SA, your broker should assess both HomeStart and the federal First Home Guarantee side by side.
South Australia buyers
HomeStart Finance allows a 2% deposit with no LMI, unique to SA
TAS First Home Buyer Grants and Stamp Duty 2026
Tasmania pays a $20,000 First Home Owner Grant for new homes with no property value cap, for eligible transactions from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. Its former stamp duty exemption on established homes ended for settlements after 30 June 2026, which was one of the more generous established-property concessions in the country. Verify current status of this exemption with your broker as it was legislated for a finite period.
People searching this also ask: “first home buyer grant Tasmania 2026”, “TAS stamp duty exemption established home”, and “Tasmania first home buyer stamp duty threshold”.
The 100% stamp duty exemption on established homes up to $750,000 applies to settlements completing between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026 only. The Tasmanian Government has confirmed this will not be extended beyond that date. Buyers who have not settled by 30 June 2026 will pay standard stamp duty rates on established purchases.
The cash grant
The $20,000 FHOG applies to new homes with no property value cap. You must occupy the property as your primary residence within 12 months and live there for at least 6 continuous months.
The stamp duty rule
The established home exemption ended for settlements after 30 June 2026, so first home buyers in Tasmania may now pay standard duty on established homes. New homes attract their own separate duty concessions. Contact the State Revenue Office of Tasmania or your broker for the precise figure applicable to your purchase.
ACT First Home Buyer Concessions 2026
The ACT replaced its cash grant with stamp duty relief in 2019. Eligible buyers may receive a full duty concession under the Home Buyer Concession Scheme. From 1 July 2026 the scheme has no property value cap and no income test, and both new and established homes qualify.
People searching this also ask: “ACT Home Buyer Concession Scheme 2026”, “Canberra first home buyer stamp duty threshold”, “ACT HBCS income test”, and “does ACT have a first home grant”.
Why the ACT scheme stands apart
With no property value cap from 1 July 2026, the ACT concession now reaches further than first home duty relief in any other state. Both new and established homes qualify, unlike most states where duty exemptions on established homes carry lower thresholds.
No income test from July 2026
From 1 July 2026 there is no income test, so the combined income of the buyers no longer affects eligibility. High-earning couples on dual government salaries may exceed the threshold without realising it. Confirm your income position with your broker before assuming eligibility.
- ✓Australian citizen or permanent resident
- ✓No income test from 1 July 2026
- ✓Have not owned residential property in Australia in the past 5 years
- ✓Any property value from 1 July 2026, new and established both qualify
- ✓Apply through your conveyancer at settlement using the ACT Revenue Office concession code
NT First Home Buyer Grants and Stamp Duty 2026
The Northern Territory offers the highest new-build grant in Australia at $50,000. The former $10,000 grant for established homes closed on 30 September 2025, and the Territory does not currently offer a general first home buyer stamp duty concession, although a house and land package exemption may apply until 30 June 2027. There is no property value cap on the HomeGrown Territory Grant.
People searching this also ask: “NT first home owner grant 2026”, “Darwin first home buyer grants”, and “Northern Territory stamp duty discount first home buyer”.
The cash grant
$50,000 for new builds, off-the-plan properties, and house and land packages, for eligible contracts up to 30 September 2027. The $10,000 established home grant closed on 30 September 2025. No property value cap on either amount. You must occupy the property as your primary residence within 12 months and live there for at least 6 continuous months.
The stamp duty rule
The Northern Territory does not currently offer a general stamp duty concession for first home buyers. A house and land package exemption, which is not limited to first home buyers, may apply to eligible purchases until 30 June 2027.
Can I combine the state stamp duty exemption with the federal First Home Guarantee?
Yes. State stamp duty exemptions and the federal First Home Guarantee are entirely separate schemes that stack directly on top of each other.
- ✓First Home Guarantee eliminates LMI, saving $14,000 to $42,000 depending on property value
- ✓State stamp duty exemptions separately eliminate or reduce transfer duty at settlement
- ✓State FHOG cash grants stack on top of both
- ✓Total combined benefit can exceed $70,000 on a qualifying purchase
State stamp duty exemptions and the federal First Home Guarantee are entirely separate schemes and can be used simultaneously. Combining both is the highest-impact strategy available to first home buyers and can reduce total upfront costs by $40,000 to $75,000 depending on your state, property price, and property type.
People searching this also ask: “can I stack state grant with federal guarantee”, “first home guarantee and stamp duty exemption same time”, and “how to combine government first home buyer schemes”.
The federal First Home Guarantee eliminates LMI (which can be a significant upfront cost at 95% LVR). Your state’s stamp duty exemption separately eliminates or reduces the transfer duty payable at settlement. These two savings stack directly on top of each other. Add a state FHOG cash payment and the total benefit package can exceed $70,000 on a qualifying purchase.
In practice a first home buyer may combine a state grant on a new home, a stamp duty exemption or concession, and the 5% Deposit Scheme to avoid LMI. Which of these apply, and how much they are worth together, depends on your state, the property and your circumstances, so it is worth having a broker check the combination before you sign.
State cash grants and stamp duty concessions are applied through your conveyancer at settlement, you do not need to claim them separately in advance. The First Home Guarantee is applied through your participating lender as part of the loan approval process. Your broker coordinates both. The key is getting your eligibility confirmed before you start making offers so nothing is missed.
Do you pay stamp duty on vacant land if you intend to build?
Yes, in most cases. Stamp duty is payable on the land purchase at the standard rate, regardless of your intent to build.
- ✗Standard stamp duty applies on the land purchase in most states
- ✓SA: house and land packages with simultaneous contracts qualify for full FHOG and duty concession
- ✓NSW: combined land plus build must not exceed $750,000 to qualify for the FHOG
- ✗Always confirm treatment with your conveyancer before exchanging on land
Stamp duty is payable on the land purchase at the standard rate, regardless of your intent to build. However, if you purchase vacant land with a registered building contract simultaneously, several states treat the combined transaction differently.
In SA, a house and land package where both the land purchase and build contract are entered simultaneously qualifies for the full FHOG and stamp duty concession with no property value cap. In NSW, the combined value of land plus build must not exceed $750,000 to qualify for the FHOG, but stamp duty on the land itself is still calculated separately. Always confirm the specific treatment with your conveyancer before exchanging contracts on land.
General information only. Grant amounts, stamp duty thresholds, and eligibility criteria are set by state and territory governments and are subject to change without notice. The information on this page reflects legislation current as at July 2026. Always verify figures with your relevant state revenue office or a licensed mortgage broker before exchanging contracts on any property. Grants are applied through your conveyancer or participating lender at settlement. Ross McFarlane (Credit Representative 526725) is an authorised Credit Representative of Australian Associated Advisers Pty Ltd t/a Keylend, Australian Credit Licence 392169.