First Home Buyer Grants & Concessions: Who Still Qualifies in 2025?

By Guest Blogger, Malisa Howard, Principal Solicitor - Jaidie Law

Next Level Wealth 

For many Australians, buying a first home is part dream, part financial marathon. Fortunately, there’s been a long history of support through first home buyer grants, stamp duty concessions, and other schemes to help ease the cost of entry.

But it’s now 2025, and the property landscape is shifting. Governments are adjusting eligibility criteria, phasing out some incentives, and launching new ones. So, who still qualifies for first home buyer grants in 2025—and what’s available in each state and territory?

We’ve done the legwork to break it all down for you.

1. What Are First Home Buyer Grants & Why Do They Exist?

First home buyer grants are government-funded payments or concessions aimed at helping Australians purchase their first residential property. They can include:

• Cash grants to assist with the purchase price or deposit

• Stamp duty exemptions or discounts

• Shared equity or low-deposit home loan schemes

These initiatives differ depending on where you buy, your income, the type of property, and how you intend to use it (e.g. owner-occupier vs investment).

2. National Schemes Available in 2025

The Federal Government still offers the following programs, accessible nationwide: Home Guarantee Scheme (formerly FHBG, FHLDS)

• Eligibility: Australian citizens or permanent residents aged 18+, earning under $125,000 (single) or $200,000 (couples).

• Benefit: Buy with as little as 5% deposit, without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

• Cap: Property price thresholds vary by location.

• Available Places: 35,000 for First Home Guarantee (FHBG), 10,000 for Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee (RFHBG), and 5,000 for Family Home Guarantee (FHG). First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)

• Eligibility: First home buyers who’ve made voluntary contributions to their super.

• Benefit: Withdraw up to $50,000 + earnings to use as a deposit.

• Catch: Requires forward planning—voluntary contributions must be made first.

• Contribution Cap: $15,000 annually, up to $50,000 total.

3. State-by-State: 2025 First Home Buyer Grants & Concessions

Let’s explore the latest across each Australian state and territory.

Note: These are current as of June 2025 - but always check the relevant revenue office for the latest updates.

New South Wales (NSW)

• First Home Buyer Grant: $10,000 for new homes up to $750,000.
• Stamp Duty:
  • Exemption for new/established homes under $800,000.
  • Concession for homes $800,000–$1 million.

• No grant for established homes, but duty concessions still apply.

• First Home Buyer Choice (annual land tax option) has been phased out.

Victoria (VIC)

• First Home Owner Grant: $10,000 for new homes only, up to $750,000.
• Stamp Duty:
  • Exemption for homes under $600,000.
  • Concessions between $600,000–$750,000.

• Regional Boost: Previously available $20,000 regional bonus has now ended.

Queensland (QLD)

• First Home Buyer Grant: Still a very generous $30,000 for new homes under $750,000 (extended to June 2025).

• Stamp Duty:

  • Exemption on homes up to $700,000.

  • Concession between $700,000–$800,000.

• Vacant land grants also available for first home builders.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

• No longer has a First Home Owner Grant.

• Offers stamp duty concessions based on income and number of dependents.

• Full duty exemptions possible for eligible buyers on properties up to $1 million.

South Australia (SA)

• First Home Owner Grant: $15,000 for new builds under $650,000. (no property value cap).
• No stamp duty exemptions for existing homes.
  
  

Western Australia (WA)

• First Home Owner Grant: $10,000 for new builds or off-the-plan homes.

• Stamp Duty:

  • Exemption for homes under $500,000.

  • Concession Up to $700,000 in Perth & Peel, and $750,000 in regional WA.

• Generous regional construction support still in place.

Tasmania (TAS)

• First Home Owner Grant: $30,000 for new homes (extended to June 2025).
• Stamp Duty Concession: 50% discount on established homes up to $600,000 for eligible buyers.

Northern Territory (NT)

• First home owner grant: $50,000 for new homes (until 30 September 2026) and $10,000 for established homes *until 30 September 2025)
• BuildBonus and HomeBuild Access programs also offer alternative incentives for construction.

4. Key 2025 Changes to Watch

• QLD increased its First Home Buyer Grant to $30,000 (up from $15,000) but flagged it may not continue past mid-2025.

• NSW continues to refine the First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme, with a greater emphasis on new homes over established ones.

• Several states have wound back regional or renovation bonuses, with most focusing purely on new builds.

5. Do You Still Qualify? Key Eligibility Rules in 2025

Regardless of the state, most programs share some common conditions:

• You (and your partner) must not have previously owned property in Australia.

• You must live in the property as your principal place of residence, generally within 12 months of purchase and for at least 6–12 months.

• Grants usually apply to new homes or off-the-plan purchases, not established homes.

• Income caps apply for some programs (e.g. ACT, national schemes).

6. Wrap-Up: Know What You’re Entitled To

With property prices and lending conditions changing rapidly, getting a leg up through grants and concessions is more important than ever. While eligibility criteria have tightened in some areas, there’s still a generous range of support available in 2025 - especially for those willing to consider new homes or regional options.

At Jaide Law, we help overseas investors navigate FIRB, negotiate contracts, and protect their investments with confidence. Whether you’re buying one property or building a portfolio, we make sure you’re set up for success from day one.

If you’ve got questions about a property matter, we’d love to help. Feel free to reach out to us at contact@jaidelaw.com.au - we’d love to help you make your next transaction a smart and stress-free one.

Disclaimer – We know most of you get this, but just to be clear, the information above is general and doesn't consider your unique situation. Please don't rely on it as a substitute for professional advice. We strongly encourage you to seek appropriate guidance for your specific needs.

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