$30,000
Queensland offers the most generous state grant in mainland Australia — $30,000 for new builds under $750,000, extended until 30 June 2026.
⏰ Time-sensitive: $30,000 ends 30 June 2026 — then reverts to $15,000
Contracts signed on or before 30 June 2026 qualify for the boosted $30,000 grant. From 1 July 2026, the QLD First Home Owner Grant drops back to $15,000 — a $15,000 cliff. If you're considering a new build in QLD, the next six weeks matter. Get matched with a broker who runs the grant process.
The Queensland First Home Owner Grant is $30,000 for new homes valued under $750,000. This is the highest mainland state grant in Australia and is available until 30 June 2026, after which it reverts to $15,000. The grant applies to new builds, off-the-plan apartments, and substantially renovated homes.
To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old, an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and neither you nor your partner can have previously owned residential property in Australia. You must move into the property within 12 months of completion and live there for at least 6 continuous months.
How to apply: Apply through your lender at the time of your home loan application — this is the most common and fastest method. Your broker handles the paperwork and the $30,000 is credited at settlement. You can also apply directly through the Queensland Revenue Office within 12 months of settlement. Documents needed include your contract of sale, proof of identity, and evidence the property is a new home.
See what you can afford with $30,000 in grant money
Open borrowing calculatorSince 1 May 2025, Queensland provides a full stamp duty exemption for first home buyers purchasing a new home — and on vacant land bought to build a first home. This means zero transfer duty on new builds regardless of the property price (no cap). This is on top of the $30,000 FHOG.
For first home buyers purchasing established (existing) homes, a full first home concession applies up to $709,999, with a partial concession on a sliding scale up to $799,999. At $800,000 and above, standard transfer duty rates apply. The first home concession is a once-in-a-lifetime claim — choose between the new-home exemption or the established-home concession.
Example savings: On a $400,000 new build, you pay $0 stamp duty (saving ~$7,175). On a $500,000 new build, you pay $0 (saving ~$11,925). On a $600,000 new build, you pay $0 (saving ~$17,350). On a $1,000,000 new build, you also pay $0 (saving ~$38,025) — the no-cap rule is what makes Queensland the most generous state in Australia for first home buyer stamp duty. Combined with the $30,000 FHOG, a $600,000 new build buyer saves over $47,000 in government support. Your conveyancer handles the exemption application.
Calculate your exact stamp dutyThe federal First Home Guarantee lets you buy with a 5% deposit and pay no Lenders Mortgage Insurance. The Australian Government guarantees up to 15% of the loan, so the lender treats it as a 20% deposit. The Guarantee is not a cash payment — you still borrow 95% of the property value — but skipping LMI typically saves $20,000 to $30,000 on a Queensland purchase.
On 1 October 2025 the Guarantee was significantly expanded — three changes that made it the most accessible it has ever been:
The separate Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee was folded into the First Home Guarantee at the same time — there is no longer a regional-only scheme, just one Guarantee with location-specific price caps.
How to apply: through one of more than 30 participating lenders, including the major banks, customer-owned banks, and regional banks. A broker can match you with the lender that has the fastest turnaround for your situation. The Guarantee stacks with the $30,000 FHOG and the $0 stamp duty exemption — but it is mutually exclusive with QLD's Boost to Buy shared equity scheme (see next section). You choose one or the other.
Launched in December 2025, Boost to Buy is Queensland's newest first home buyer scheme. It is a shared equity model: the QLD Government contributes part of the purchase price in exchange for a corresponding equity share, letting you buy with a much smaller deposit.
Headline numbers:
Boost to Buy and the federal First Home Guarantee are mutually exclusive. You must choose one or the other — you cannot stack both. Boost to Buy is generally the better fit if you can save only 2% but accept the QLD Government taking a long-term equity share; the FHBG is better if you want the lender to treat you as a 20% deposit borrower with no equity-share trade-off.
The trade-off: the Government's equity is interest-free, but it appreciates (or depreciates) with the property value. A $200,000 government contribution today could be $250,000+ when you sell. Income reviews happen every three years; if your income exceeds the threshold by 25% for two consecutive years, mandatory partial repayment may be triggered.
How to apply: through approved lenders only. Unity Bank is confirmed as a participating lender, with more being added. The total scheme funding is $330 million across three years, which is why places are limited despite the large headline number.
First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS): Save up to $50,000 in your superannuation fund for a home deposit with tax advantages. Contributions are taxed at 15% instead of your marginal rate — saving you thousands while you build your deposit. This is a federal scheme with separate eligibility from the FHBG and Boost to Buy, and it stacks with all of them.
QLD-specific note — Building insurance from day one: In Queensland, property risk transfers to you from 5pm the day after signing the contract. You must arrange building insurance immediately — do not wait until settlement. This is unique to QLD and catches many first home buyers off guard.
The QLD Stack — how the schemes combine
A Queensland first home buyer purchasing a new $650,000 home before 30 June 2026 can use:
Total benefit: $60,000 to $100,000+ depending on circumstances and which deposit-side scheme you choose.
Find a broker who specialises in first home buyers
Get matched with a brokerStep 1 — Act before 30 June 2026: To secure the $30,000 grant, your contract must be signed before 30 June 2026. Start your home search and get pre-approved as soon as possible. After this date, the grant drops to $15,000 — a $15,000 difference.
Step 2 — Apply through your lender: The fastest and most common method is to apply for the FHOG through your bank or lender when you apply for your home loan. Your broker manages the entire process and the $30,000 is credited at settlement.
Step 3 — Apply directly (if needed): You can apply directly through the Queensland Revenue Office within 12 months of settlement. You'll need your contract of sale, proof of identity, evidence the property is a new home, and your settlement statement.
Common mistakes to avoid: Don't miss the 30 June 2026 deadline — the difference is $15,000. Don't forget to arrange building insurance the day you sign the contract (QLD-specific requirement). Don't assume off-the-plan automatically qualifies — the property must be new when you take possession. And don't change jobs or take on new debt between pre-approval and settlement.
Get matched with a conveyancer
Find a conveyancer near youThe Queensland FHOG is $30,000 for new homes valued under $750,000 until 30 June 2026. After that date, the grant reverts to $15,000. This applies to new builds, off-the-plan purchases, and substantially renovated homes.
Since 1 May 2025, Queensland first home buyers pay $0 stamp duty on new homes and on vacant land bought to build a first home — with no price cap. For established homes, a full first home concession applies up to $709,999, a partial concession on a sliding scale applies up to $799,999, and standard rates apply at $800,000 and above.
No. The $30,000 Queensland FHOG is only available for new builds, off-the-plan purchases, and substantially renovated homes. Established homes do not qualify for the grant. However, established home buyers can still claim the QLD first home stamp duty concession, which is a full concession up to $709,999 and partial up to $799,999.
The boosted $30,000 grant applies to eligible contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026. After that date, the grant reverts to $15,000. To secure the $30,000 amount, your contract must be signed on or before 30 June 2026.
The First Home Guarantee lets you buy with a 5% deposit, but you still borrow 95% of the property value — which means higher monthly repayments and more interest paid over the life of the loan than a 20% deposit borrower. You still need genuine savings (most lenders want the 5% to be saved over at least 3 months). The property must sit within the location-specific price cap ($1,000,000 for South East QLD including Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast; $700,000 for regional QLD), and you must intend to live in it as your principal place of residence — not as an investment. The Guarantee is also mutually exclusive with QLD's Boost to Buy scheme, so you have to choose one path or the other.
To qualify for the First Home Guarantee, you must be at least 18 years old and an Australian citizen or permanent resident. You must be a first home buyer, or not have owned property in Australia in the last 10 years. You need a minimum 5% deposit (genuine savings), and the property must be within the price cap that applies to your location and intended for use as your principal place of residence. Since 1 October 2025, there are no income caps and no limit on the number of places available.
For a $700,000 house in Queensland, the minimum deposit depends on which scheme you use. With the First Home Guarantee you need 5% — $35,000 — and pay no LMI. With Boost to Buy on a new home you need just 2% — $14,000 — and the QLD Government takes up to 30% equity in return. Without either scheme, you would typically need a 20% deposit ($140,000) to avoid LMI. If you are buying a new home, the $30,000 FHOG and the $0 stamp duty on new builds further reduce the cash you need at settlement — though the FHOG is paid at settlement, so it does not reduce your upfront deposit.
Everything you need to buy your first home