Help For First Time Home Buyers In Qld: Grants, Schemes & Concessions Available in 2026

Buying your first home in Queensland is a big step - and the good news is there’s more help for first time home buyers than ever. Between Queensland’s transfer duty (stamp duty) concessions, the First Home Owner Grant, and a suite of Federal programs, you can meaningfully reduce your upfront costs and deposit hurdle.

This guide explains the grants for first-time home buyers and first home buyer concessions available in 2026, who they suit and who is eligible.

First Home Buyer Concessions & Grants Snapshot: What’s changed for 2025–26?

• First Home Owners Grant (QLD): $30,000 for eligible new homes where the contract is signed between 20 Nov 2023 and 30 Jun 2026; property value cap $750,000; owner-occupier rules apply.

• First Home Concession (QLD): Full stamp duty exemption for established first homes ≤ $700k, tapered savings up to $800k, with a maximum saving of ~$24,525.

• First Home (New Home) Concession (QLD): From 1 May 2025, first-home buyers of new or substantially renovated homes may pay no transfer duty (contracts on/after this date).

• First Home (Vacant Land) Concession (QLD): From 1 May 2025, eligible residential vacant land purchases may be duty-free; earlier agreements (pre-May 2025) retained a capped saving (up to $10,675 under $500k).

• Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (formerly Home Guarantee Scheme): From 1 Oct 2025, no place limits and no income caps; price caps in QLD lifted to $1,000,000 in Brisbane/Gold Coast/Sunshine Coast and $700,000 elsewhere. Family Home Guarantee also supports 2% deposits for single parents/guardians.

• Help to Buy (Shared-equity): Launching across participating jurisdictions from 5 Dec 2025; government equity up to 40% (new) / 30% (existing) with owner-occupier, income and price caps. Available in Queensland through participating lenders.

Grants For First Time Home Buyers In Qld

1) First Home Owners Grant (Queensland)

What it is: A one-off Queensland Government payment to help first-home buyers buy or build a new home (includes off-the-plan and certain substantially renovated homes that meet QRO rules).

How much can you get: $30,000 for eligible contracts signed from 20 November 2023 to 30 June 2026 (inclusive). Earlier eligible transactions generally attract $15,000.

Key eligibility at a glance:

• You’re a true first-home buyer, 18+, and an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or applying with one).

• The total value (house + land + variations) is ≤ $750,000.

• You move in within the required timeframe and live there as your principal place of residence for at least 6 months.

• The home is new (not previously lived in/sold as a residence) or qualifies as substantially renovated under QRO criteria.

How/when it’s paid:

• The grant maybe paid at different times depending on when and how you apply and whether you are buying or building a new home.

• Easiest path is through your lender at the time of finance; or you can apply directly to the Queensland Revenue Office (QRO).

Can the FHOG be used as a deposit?

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

Can it be combined?

Often yes. Many buyers pair FHOG with the First Home (New Home) Concession (duty-free) or the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (avoid LMI) to reduce both upfront costs and deposit hurdles.

2) First Home Concession (Queensland Government)

If the first home you buy is an established home (not a new build home) you may be able to claim this stamp duty concession.

What it is: The First Home Concession is a transfer duty (stamp duty) concession offered by the Queensland Government when you buy your first principal place of residence in QLD.

Who can claim it: First-home buyers purchasing new or established homes (FHOG is for new; this concession covers both).

How much is it worth in 2026:

• $0 duty if your first home is ≤ $700,000.

• A tapered concession applies from $700,000 to $800,000, with a maximum saving of ~$24,525.

Tip: If you exceed the $800k threshold, the separate Home Concession may still reduce duty, but it won’t treat you as a first-home buyer.

3) First Home (New Home) Concession (Queensland Government)

From 1 May 2025, eligible first-home buyers who purchase a new or substantially renovated home as their PPR (principal place of residence) can receive a full transfer duty exemption, with no property value cap - provided the contract is signed on/after 1 May 2025 and other criteria are met.

You do not have to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident to claim the concession, but you must meet the eligibility criteria.

Best for: Buyers opting for brand-new or qualifying rebuilt stock who want to minimise transaction costs.

4) 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.

5) Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (via Housing Australia)

One of the most significant hurdles that face a new home buyer is saving enough money for a deposit. For most, the ideal number is to secure a 20% deposit to keep lenders from feeling nervous. A low deposit often triggers extra expenses in lenders' mortgage insurance charges (LMI). Formerly known as the Home Guarantee Scheme, this now-expanded 5% deposit program delivered by Housing Australia helps eligible buyers purchase with as little as a 5% deposit without incurring Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) because the Government provides a guarantee to the lender.

From 1 Oct 2025 it features:

• Unlimited places (no annual caps) and no income caps.

• QLD price caps have been lifted to $1,000,000 (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast) and $700,000 elsewhere in QLD.

• Family Home Guarantee pathway for single parents/guardians with 2% deposits.

6) First Home Super Saver Scheme (Australian Government)

The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS) helps you boost your deposit faster by making voluntary super contributions (before or after tax) and later withdrawing up to $50,000 (max $15,000 per year) plus associated earnings to use towards your first-home deposit. Often more tax-effective than saving in a normal account (ATO rules apply). (Program details stable through 2025; always confirm current thresholds with the ATO at application.)

7) Help to Buy Scheme (Shared-Equity) — rolling out from December 2025

The Help to Buy Scheme is launching on December 5th 2025 and enables eligible buyers to purchase a home with a minimum 2% deposit while the Government takes an equity share: up to 40% for new homes and 30% for existing homes.

There are just 10,000 places available nationwide but you don’t pay rent on the government’s share and you can buy it back over time or at sale.

You do have to:

• be an Australian citizen

• have an annual taxable income at or below $100,000 for individual applicants or $160,000 for single parents and joint applicants

• be an owner occupier

• not own any other property in Australia or overseas

Unlike some of the other grants and concessions we have talked about, you also cannot combine participation in this scheme with any any other schemes or grants but you can still take advantage of any stamp duty concessions you are entitled to.

What’s the right path for you?

• Tight deposit? Consider the 5% Deposit Scheme or Help to Buy.

• Buying new? The First Home (New Home) Concession can eliminate duty entirely.

• Building? The Vacant Land Concession from 1 May 2025 can wipe out land duty.

• Tax-efficient saving? The First Home Super Saver Scheme can accelerate your deposit.

FAQs: Help for First-Time Home Buyers (QLD)

What is the best grant or concession for first-home buyers in QLD?

If you’re buying a brand new home before the 30th June 2026, the $30,000 First Home Owners Grant is one of the best options. In addition, the First Home (New Home) Concession can reduce duty to $0. For established homes under $800k, the First Home Concession offers up to ~$24,525 in savings (full exemption ≤ $700k).

Can I buy with a 5% deposit and avoid LMI?

Yes - under the expanded 5% Deposit Scheme (from 1st October 2025) there are no income caps or place limits, and QLD price caps are $1m (SEQ cities) / $700k elsewhere.

When is the Help To Buy Scheme starting in Queensland?

The Help To Buy Scheme will be open from 5th December 2025 (including QLD) via select lenders. It’s shared equity: 40% new / 30% existing, with eligibility caps.

Can I stack State and Federal assistance?

In many cases, yes - but you must satisfy each program’s criteria and line up contract/settlement timing carefully.

Will the FHOG still be around in 2026?

Queensland has extended the $30,000 FHOG to 30 June 2026 for eligible new builds/off-the-plan (confirm current criteria before applying).

Getting the support of a trusted local mortgage broker can make all the difference in making your first home dreams a reality. CJG Finance can help interested first time buyers assess their situation to determine if this is an advisable approach for them. We can help you assess your eligibility and understand what you are required to do. And then we can help you identify the best home loan options for your circumstances and start making your dreams of becoming a homeowner a reality!

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.