A Guide To The First Home Owners Grant In Queensland In 2025

If you’re a first time buyer and in the market for a new home in Queensland, there are a raft of state and federal government initiatives to help you get on the property ladder. The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is one of these incentives and there’s more good news. The State Government has announced that it is extending the $30,000 Queensland First Home Owners Grant until June 2026. In this guide we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the grant. We’ll explain how much you can get, who qualifies for it and why it could be a financial game-changer to help more Qld first home buyers achieve their property ownership dream.

First Home Owners Grant QLD (2025): What It Is, How Much You Get and How to Qualify

If you’re saving hard for your first place, the Qld First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) can give you a serious leg-up - especially with the $30,000 maximum value of the grant now extended through to 30 June 2026.

What makes the suite of current government initiatives game-changing for first time buyers is that you may be eligible for more than one scheme. This means that you may qualify for the First Home Buyers Grant in Qld and for the national First Home Guarantee Scheme (5% deposit scheme) and still be eligible for a Qld Stamp Duty Concession. That’s why it’s always worth talking to a mortgage broker who knows all the initiatives available at both a state and federal level. But let’s delve into the details of the FHOG in Queensland.

What is the First Home Owners Grant in Queensland?

The First Home Owners Grant is a one-off Queensland Government tax-free payment to help eligible first-time home buyers buy or build a new home. It was previously called the First Home Buyers Grant Qld and is only available for those buying a brand new home (that hasn’t been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence) or owner-builders of a brand new home.

Key points at a glance:

• Applies to new homes only (not established homes).

• Property must be valued under $750,000 (including land, build and variations).

• You must move in within the required time and live there as your home for the minimum period.

How much is the First Home Owners Grant in QLD?

The value of the grant depends on when your contract was signed or in the case of owner-builders, when the foundations were laid. If this was between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026 (inclusive), the full grant amount is $30,000. For contracts signed / foundations laid prior to these dates, it is $15,000.

Queensland First Home Owner Grant Extension

The grant was originally set to revert to the previous cap of $15,000 on 30 June 2025. However, the Queensland Government confirmed the extension of the boosted maximum amount to 30 June 2026, to help more first-time new home buyers make property ownership a reality.

How Do You Qualify For First Home Owners Grant QLD?

The FHOG is not means-tested so it is available to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria. You (and any co-applicant) must meet all of the following:

• First-home buyer status: You haven’t owned a home you lived in anywhere in Australia, on or after July 1st 2000 or owned a residential property before July 1st 2000.

• Age & citizenship: You’re 18+ and an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or applying with someone who is).

• Previous grant recipient: You or your spouse must not have previously received a First Home Owner Grant in any state or territory in Australia

• Eligible property: New home (house, unit, townhouse) Also applies to off-the-plan and some substantially renovated homes valued under $750,000 (including land and contract variations).

• Occupancy: Move in within 1 year of the completed transaction and live there as your principal place of residence for at least 6 months.

• Timing: Your signed contract dates fall within the eligible window for the $30,000 or $15,000 grant.

Helpful 2025 rule update (renting a room)

New owners can rent out a room from day one without affecting your eligibility for this grant, provided it remains your principal place of residence. This can really help cash flow in year one. However, this may impact whether you qualify for other schemes or exemptions such as the Stamp Duty Concession.

What properties are eligible for the First Home Owners Grant In Qld?

While there are a few exclusions such as investment properties and established / existing homes, the following property and transaction types qualify for the grant, provided the total value of the property is less than $750,000 including the cost of the land and any contract variations.

• Brand-new homes (never lived in/never sold as a residence) including:

  • House, Unit, Duplex, Townhouse

  • A detached Granny Flat built on a relative’s land

  • A home that has been moved from one site to another such as a kit or modular home

  • Substantially renovated homes that meet QRO definitions (limited scenarios)

• Off-the-plan purchases.

• New builds on vacant land (with a build contract).

Can you use the First Home Owners Grant as a deposit?

While it’s possible to use the grant as part of your deposit for your new home, most lenders will also want to see evidence of ‘genuine savings’. You also need to consider that the grant is paid at different times depending on how and when you apply and whether you’re buying or building. For this reason, the Queensland Government doesn’t advise people to rely on it for their deposit.

What Other Grants Or Concessions Are Available for First Home Buyers In Queensland?

As I mentioned earlier, there are a range of Federal and State Government initiatives to support Queenslanders to get on the property ladder.

Queensland first-home buyers can often stack the First Home Owner Grant with other State and Federal initiatives to reduce upfront costs and get into a home sooner. Here are the main options to know about:

First Home Concession (Queensland Government)

A transfer duty (stamp duty) concession for eligible buyers purchasing their principal place of residence. It applies to new or established homes (unlike the FHOG, which is for new), provided you meet the eligibility requirements and your property is under $800,000. This concession could potentially save you $24,525. If your home is valued at under $700,000 you will receive the full concession and pay no stamp duty.

First Home (New Home) Concession (Queensland Government)

From May 1st 2025, if you’re a first home owner buying a new home or substantially renovated home as your principal place of residence, you will not have to pay stamp duty. There is no cap on the value of the home but your contract will need to have been signed on or after this date.

First Home (Vacant Land) Concession (Queensland Government)

There is also a First Home Vacant Land stamp duty concession that may be claimed on land that you’re buying to build your first home on. For agreements entered into:

• before 1 May 2025, if the value of the vacant land is under $500,000, you could save up to $10,675

• from 1 May 2025, you might not pay any duty on residential vacant land.

This concession is based on the value of the vacant land you are buying, not the property you are building.

First Home Guarantee – 5% Deposit Scheme (Housing Australia)

The First Home Guarantee scheme is a federal government program that lets eligible first-home buyers purchase a property with as little as a 5% deposit and avoid paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). It also allows single parents and legal guardians to purchase with as little as a 2% deposit. From October 1st 2025, there are no place limits, no income cap and property price caps have been increased to $1 million in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast and $700,000 elsewhere in Queensland.

First Home Super Saver Scheme (Australian Government)

The First Home Super Saver scheme allows eligible first-home buyers to make voluntary super contributions (before or after tax) and later withdraw those savings (plus associated earnings) to help with a deposit. You can contribute up to $15,000 per year and $50,000 in total. The approach can be tax-effective compared to saving in a standard account.

Help to Buy Scheme (Housing Australia – launching soon)

The Help To Buy Scheme is a planned shared-equity program where the Government contributes a portion of the purchase price (30% for existing homes or 40% for newly built homes) in exchange for an equivalent equity share, helping reduce your loan size and repayments. It is expected to have income and property price caps, owner-occupier requirements and limited places. Not yet live - keep an eye on official updates.

Need tailored advice? CJG Finance can check your eligibility across these programs, model your savings (stamp duty, LMI and repayments), and structure your loan so you take full advantage of the incentives available in your location and price range.

First Home Owners Grant QLD: Quick FAQs

What is the First Home Buyers Grant in Qld?

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a one-off Queensland Government payment that helps eligible first-home buyers buy or build a new home (including new off-the-plan purchases and qualifying substantial renovations).

How much is the First Home Owners Grant in QLD?

Eligible contracts signed from 20 November 2023 to 30 June 2026 (inclusive) may receive $30,000. Earlier eligible transactions generally receive $15,000.

How do you qualify for the First Home Owners Grant QLD?

You must be 18+; an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or applying with one); a true first-home buyer; buying or building a new home valued under the $750,000 cap; move in within the required timeframe and live there as your principal place of residence for at least six months.

Can you use the First Home Owners Grant as a deposit?

The Queensland Government doesn’t recommend relying on the grant for your deposit. Timing matters: some lenders need evidence of genuine savings, and grant funds may be paid at specific milestones. A broker can confirm how your lender treats the grant.

Is the First Home Buyers Grant Available for an existing property?

No. The FHOG applies to new homes only (including off-the-plan and some qualifying substantial renovations). Established properties are not eligible.

What Other Grants Or Concessions Are Available for First Home Buyers In Queensland?

• First Home Concession (Qld): Stamp duty relief on your PPR; up to full exemption under $700k, tapered to $800k (max saving ~$24,525).

• First Home (New Home) Concession (Qld): From 1 May 2025, no stamp duty on eligible new or substantially renovated homes (contracts on/after that date).

• First Home (Vacant Land) Concession (Qld): Duty relief on land to build your first home; before 1 May 2025 save up to ~$10,675 under $500k, from 1 May 2025 land may be duty-free.

• First Home Guarantee – 5% Deposit (Housing Australia): Buy with 5% deposit and no LMI (2% for single parents/guardians); caps apply (e.g., $1m in SEQ cities; $700k elsewhere in Qld).

• First Home Super Saver Scheme (Federal): Save your deposit via voluntary super; withdraw up to $50k (max $15k per year) plus associated earnings.

• Help to Buy (Housing Australia – coming soon): Shared-equity support (up to 30% existing / 40% new) with income and price caps; limited places.

The CJG Finance advantage

Getting your QLD first home buyers grant approved is smoother when your home loan broker guides the paperwork and timelines. We’ll:

• Confirm your eligibility quickly (including contract timing and value cap).

• Coordinate the grant application with your home loan approval.

• Help structure your finances (and calculate true upfront costs) so there are no settlement-day surprises.

Ready to go from researching to owning? Let’s map your numbers and timing today.

To find out more, contact us or call Colin at CJG Finance on: 0402 413 917 or email him: cgreen@cjgfinance.com.au

The information contained in this post is for general guidance only and does not constitute personal advice. It's important to do your own research as regulations, fees and charges change over time.