Is Boost to Buy QLD open on 28 October 2026?
Yes for regional Queensland, no for South East Queensland. Queensland Treasury's page, updated 30 September 2026, says Round 2 places are available in regional Queensland through Unity Bank and that South East Queensland allocations are exhausted. No count of remaining places is published, so an open status does not guarantee a place.
| Area | Status | What the source says |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Queensland | Applications available (Round 2) | Open through Unity Bank. No count of remaining places is published. |
| South East Queensland | Allocations exhausted | Queensland Treasury says South East Queensland allocations are now exhausted. |
Status source: Queensland Treasury, Boost to Buy, Updated 30 September 2026. Which area counts depends on where the home is, see the regions table below.
How much could Boost to Buy contribute for you?
Enter where the home is, the price, the lender valuation, the type of home, your savings and your household. You get the deposit needed, the government contribution, the loan amount and whether the price and income tests pass under the current Treasury limits.
No valuation entered, so the valuation is assumed to equal the price.
- Pass: Region. Regional Queensland has Round 2 places through Unity Bank. No count of remaining places is published.
- Pass: Price test. The cap is $1,000,000, and a price of exactly that amount is allowed.
- Pass: Income test. The current limit for this household is $232,000. A figure at or under it passes.
- Pass: Deposit. Meets the 2% minimum.
- Pass: Deposit plus government share. 27.9% of the price. The scheme needs at least 20%.
Not tested here: citizenship or residency, whether you or your spouse have ever owned Australian property, that the home is in the region selected in your provisional approval, and the completed home rules.
| If the home is later worth | Home value | Government dollar share |
|---|---|---|
| 20% less | $560,000 | $140,000 |
| 10% less | $630,000 | $157,500 |
| The same as today | $700,000 | $175,000 |
| 10% more | $770,000 | $192,500 |
| 20% more | $840,000 | $210,000 |
The smallest partial buyback today is five percentage points of the current value, $35,000, which would take the government share to 20.0%. This tool assumes the maximum contribution is approved on the purchase price. The lender decides the real amount.
General information, not an offer of finance.
What is Queensland's Boost to Buy scheme?
Boost to Buy is a Queensland Government shared equity scheme. The government puts in up to 30% of the price of a completed new home or 25% of an existing home, you save at least 2%, and Unity Bank lends the rest. You repay the government share later, and its dollar value moves with the value of the home.
The government does not charge ordinary interest on its share. It owns a percentage of the home instead. If the home rises in value, the government dollar share rises with it. If the home falls, the share falls. Your mortgage is smaller, so your repayments to the bank are smaller. You still pay the ownership costs, such as rates, repairs and insurance.
On 14 December 2025 the Queensland Government confirmed 500 initial places and $330 million of funding, doubled from the original commitment, for up to 2,000 buyers over three years. Applications opened on 15 December 2025. Round 2 added 500 places from 31 March 2026.
Who funds a $700,000 home
| Home | Your deposit | Government share | Unity Bank loan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completed new home | $14,000 (2%) | $210,000 (30%) | $476,000 (68%) |
| Existing home | $14,000 (2%) | $175,000 (25%) | $511,000 (73%) |
Who is eligible for Boost to Buy?
You must be 18 or older, an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and buying in your own name. Neither you nor your spouse can have owned Australian real property. You must live in the home, and your income must sit under the current limits. Meeting these rules does not mean Unity Bank will approve the loan.
- Savings: the 2% deposit must be demonstrated savings. The First Home Owner Grant cannot count towards it.
- Home: complete before you sign, priced at $1,000,000 or less, in a region with places.
- Use: you live in the home as your residence. Renting a room is allowed.
- You cannot add Help to Buy or the 5% Deposit Scheme to the same purchase.
To see which other schemes you may qualify for, use the first home buyer eligibility checker.
What are the Boost to Buy income limits in 2026?
$155,000 applies to a single applicant; $232,000 applies to joint applicants or a single applicant with dependants for the 2026 income year. They replaced the launch limits of $150,000 and $225,000. The published test is taxable income for that year, not a salary from a job advertisement.
| Household | Current limit | Limit at launch (historical) |
|---|---|---|
| Single applicant | $155,000 | $150,000 |
| Two adults buying together (combined) | $232,000 | $225,000 |
| Single applicant with dependants | $232,000 | $225,000 |
Source: Queensland Treasury, Boost to Buy overview, updated 30 September 2026. Launch figures: Queensland Government ministerial statement, 14 December 2025. Older articles and news posts still show the launch figures.
Unity Bank's FAQ shows the new amounts but still describes the tax year ending June 2025. Treasury names the 2026 taxable income year, so this page follows Treasury.
What has changed since Boost to Buy launched?
The income limits rose, a second round added 500 places, and South East Queensland places ran out. The $30,000 First Home Owner Grant for new homes also continued past June 2026. This list is the dated record, so you can tell an old article from a current rule.
| Date | What changed | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 14 December 2025 | Opening confirmed with 500 initial places, funding doubled to $330 million and a plan for up to 2,000 buyers over three years. Launch income limits were $150,000 and $225,000. | Queensland Government ministerial statement |
| 15 December 2025 | Applications opened. | Queensland Government ministerial statement |
| 31 March 2026 | Round 2 opened, adding 500 places. | Queensland Government ministerial statement |
| 1 July 2026 | The $30,000 First Home Owner Grant for new homes continued for eligible contracts. Help to Buy income caps rose to $103,000 and $165,000. | Queensland Revenue Office; Housing Australia |
| 1 August 2026 | Queensland transfer duty home concessions now need Australian citizenship, permanent residency or specified foreign retiree status. | Queensland Revenue Office |
| 30 September 2026 | Treasury lists current income caps of $155,000 and $232,000 for the 2026 taxable income year, and says South East Queensland allocations are exhausted. | Queensland Treasury |
How much deposit and extra cash do I need?
2% of the purchase price is the minimum deposit, in demonstrated savings. On a $700,000 home that is $14,000. The First Home Owner Grant cannot count towards it, and transfer duty, legal fees, inspections and insurance need separate funds on top of the deposit.
| Item | Rule | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Savings deposit | At least 2% of the purchase price, from demonstrated savings. | Fixed by the scheme |
| First Home Owner Grant | Cannot count towards the 2% savings deposit. | Separate, if the home qualifies |
| Acquisition costs | Transfer duty, legal fees, inspections and insurance need separate funds. | Get quotes for your own purchase |
| Lender charges | Unity lists waived valuation fees for the scheme and no LMI. Statutory charges are at cost. | Confirm in your loan offer |
NestPath has not put a typical total on the extra costs, because they depend on your purchase. Get quotes for your own. The stamp duty calculator covers the largest of them.
How much will the Queensland Government contribute?
Up to 30% of the price for a completed new home and up to 25% for an existing home. These are maximums, and the contribution is assessed, not automatic. Your deposit plus the government contribution must reach at least 20% of the purchase price.
| Type of home | Most the government adds | Rule | On a $700,000 home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completed new home | 30% | Up to 30% of the purchase price | $210,000 on $700,000 |
| Existing home | 25% | Up to 25% of the purchase price | $175,000 on $700,000 |
The loan is the price, less your deposit, less the government contribution. The calculator above does this sum for your numbers.
Which homes qualify for Boost to Buy?
A completed new home or an existing home, priced at $1,000,000 or less. A new home needs its occupancy or final inspection certificate before you sign the contract. Off the plan purchases, vacant land and auction purchases are excluded, so a house and land package bought as land plus a build contract does not qualify.
| Purchase | Result | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Completed new home with occupancy or final inspection certificate issued before the contract | Eligible | Contribution up to 30%. |
| Existing residential home | Eligible | Contribution up to 25%. |
| Off the plan purchase | Not eligible | The home must be complete before you sign. |
| Vacant land, including land for a build | Not eligible | A house and land package bought as land plus a build contract does not qualify. |
| Purchase at auction | Not eligible | Excluded by the scheme rules. |
| Price above $1,000,000 | Not eligible | A price of exactly $1,000,000 is allowed. |
Help to Buy and the 5% Deposit Scheme do support eligible construction. If you are building, compare them on the Help to Buy page.
Which Queensland regions still have Boost to Buy places?
Allocations are split 50/50 between regional Queensland and South East Queensland, using ABS Statistical Areas Level 4. What counts is where the home you buy sits, not where you live now. The property must be in the region selected in your provisional approval. Today only the regional areas have places, and no suburb level stock is published.
| Regional Queensland (places available) | South East Queensland (allocations exhausted) |
|---|---|
| Cairns | Brisbane East |
| Central Queensland | Brisbane Inner City |
| Darling Downs and Maranoa | Brisbane North |
| Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday | Brisbane South |
| Queensland Outback | Brisbane West |
| Toowoomba | Gold Coast |
| Townsville | Ipswich |
| Wide Bay | Logan and Beaudesert |
| Moreton Bay North | |
| Moreton Bay South | |
| Sunshine Coast |
Allocations are split 50/50 between regional Queensland and South East Queensland. The split uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 4 and follows the location of the home you buy, not the address you live at now. These are allocation categories, not a list of homes with places. Source: Queensland Treasury, regional allocation guideline (no date shown on the document). The Boost to Buy regions, the Help to Buy price cap regions and the Queensland Housing Finance Loan trial areas are three different maps.
How does Boost to Buy compare with Help to Buy and the 5% Deposit Scheme?
Boost to Buy and Help to Buy are shared equity: the government buys a share of your home. The 5% Deposit Scheme is a guarantee: the government backs part of your loan and owns no share. They differ on income caps, price caps, places and who you apply through, and you cannot use more than one on the same purchase.
| Boost to Buy (Queensland) | Help to Buy (federal) | 5% Deposit Scheme (federal) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What the government does | Buys a share of the home (shared equity) | Buys a share of the home (shared equity) | Guarantees part of the loan to the lender. No share of the home. |
| Minimum deposit | 2% from demonstrated savings | 2%, subject to a financial capacity check | 5%, or 2% for eligible single parents and legal guardians |
| Government share, new home | Up to 30% | Up to 40% | None |
| Government share, existing home | Up to 25% | Up to 30% | None |
| Queensland price cap | $1,000,000 statewide, inclusive | $1,000,000 in the capital city category and designated Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast centres, $700,000 elsewhere | $1,000,000 or $700,000, depending on location |
| Income cap, single | $155,000 | $103,000 | No cap |
| Income cap, joint | $232,000 combined | $165,000 combined | No cap |
| Income cap, single with dependants or single parent | $232,000 (single with dependants) | $165,000 (single parent) | No cap |
| Places | Up to 2,000 buyers over three years. Regional Queensland only today. | 10,000 a year, nationally | No limit on places |
| Who can apply | Citizens and permanent residents | Citizens | Citizens and permanent residents |
| Previous property ownership | Neither applicant nor spouse can have owned Australian real property | Previous owners may qualify under the current property rules | No Australian property owned in the last 10 years (general stream) |
| New homes still being built | Not eligible. Home must be complete before contract. | Eligible construction supported | Eligible construction and off the plan supported |
| Who you apply through | Unity Bank only, with approval by QRIDA | A participating lender, which submits to Housing Australia | A participating lender or authorised representative |
| LMI at entry | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| How the government share is repaid | Buy back at current valuation, or repay on sale. Full repayment is due when the original mortgage ends. | Buy back at current value, or repay on sale. Income reviews can trigger repayment. | Nothing to buy back. The mortgage is repaid as normal. |
| Smallest partial buyback | Five percentage points of current value | At least 5% of property value, rounded to the nearest $1,000 | Not applicable |
| Renovation value | Government share applies to the increased value | Notified improvements of $21,000 or more can reduce the government percentage | You keep the equity |
| Can it combine with the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant? | Possibly. The grant cannot replace the 2% savings. | Possibly, if each scheme's conditions are met | Possibly, if each scheme's conditions are met |
| Can it combine with the Queensland duty concession? | Possibly, assessed separately | Possibly, assessed separately | Possibly, assessed separately |
| Can it combine with the other two schemes? | No | No | No |
Help to Buy income caps are $103,000 and $165,000 from 1 July 2026, up from $100,000 and $160,000. Do not treat single with dependants as the same thing as single parent: each scheme has its own definition. Sources are listed at the end of this page. Read the full detail on the Help to Buy page.
Can I combine Boost to Buy with the first home owner grant and stamp duty concessions?
Possibly. The $30,000 grant and the duty concession are assessed separately from Boost to Buy. The grant cannot count towards your 2% savings. You cannot combine Boost to Buy with Help to Buy or the 5% Deposit Scheme.
| Combination | Answer | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Boost to Buy and Help to Buy | No | Each scheme excludes the other shared equity assistance. |
| Boost to Buy and the 5% Deposit Scheme | No | Queensland excludes Commonwealth home buyer guarantees. |
| Help to Buy and the 5% Deposit Scheme | No | Housing Australia says they cannot be used together. |
| Boost to Buy and the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant | Possibly | The grant needs a new home valued under $750,000. It cannot count as your 2% savings. |
| Boost to Buy and the transfer duty concession | Possibly | The Queensland Revenue Office assesses duty separately. |
| Boost to Buy, the grant and the new home duty concession together | Possibly | Possible for an eligible completed new home and an eligible buyer. Not automatic. |
The Queensland grant and duty rules next to Boost to Buy
- Grant: $30,000 for eligible new home contracts signed on or after 20 November 2023, with a total home and land value under $750,000. No grant for an ordinary established home. It continued for eligible contracts from 1 July 2026.
- New home duty: nil duty for eligible first home buyers on contracts from 1 May 2025, with no residential value cap.
- Existing home duty: nil at $700,000 or less, phasing out below $800,000.
- From 1 August 2026, the home concessions need Australian citizenship, permanent residency or specified foreign retiree status.
Sources: Queensland Revenue Office pages listed below, updated 5 August 2026 (grant) and 31 July 2026 (duty). See the full Queensland first home buyer grants guide and work out your duty with the stamp duty calculator.
How do I apply through Unity Bank?
Unity Bank is the only lender. It assesses your loan first, then QRIDA considers provisional approval, then you find a home, and final approval follows. Bank pre approval and scheme approval are separate steps. Provisional approval gives you six months to sign a contract.
- Check the status above. Confirm that the location of the home you want is in a region with places.
- Book with Unity Bank. Unity is the only lender for the scheme. It assesses your income, savings and borrowing capacity.
- Provisional approval from QRIDA. After Unity's assessment, QRIDA considers your application and can give provisional approval. You choose a region, regional Queensland or South East Queensland, and the property must be in the region selected in your provisional approval.
- Find a home within six months. Provisional approval gives you six months to sign a contract. After that you reapply.
- Sign a contract with the right terms. The contract needs a finance clause of at least 14 days and settlement of at least 30 days.
- Send your documents. Send the signed contract and insurance evidence, then sign the Participation Agreement.
- Final approval and settlement. A lawyer or conveyancer handles settlement with Unity.
Applications go through Unity Bank, the only lender. NestPath does not allocate places and does not offer a broker route for this scheme.
How long does Boost to Buy approval take?
We found no standard approval timeframe in the sources we checked. Confirm timing with Unity Bank. The deadlines that are published are six months to sign a contract after provisional approval, and a short window to return documents. Buyers report different waits online, but those reports are not official figures.
| Stage | Who | Published deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Unity Bank loan assessment | Unity Bank | No published timeframe found |
| Provisional approval | QRIDA | No published timeframe found |
| Find a home and sign a contract | You | Six months from provisional approval |
| Send signed contract and insurance evidence | You | Treasury says 3 days after signing. The Information Statement says three business days. |
| Sign the Participation Agreement | You | Three business days from receiving it. This deadline starts when the agreement reaches you. |
| Final approval | Unity Bank and QRIDA | No published timeframe found |
An empty appointment calendar at Unity Bank shows booking availability. It does not tell you how many scheme places are left.
What contract conditions and documents do I need?
The contract needs a finance clause of at least 14 days and a settlement period of at least 30 days. After signing, you send the signed contract and your insurance evidence, then sign the Participation Agreement. Treasury's website says 3 days after signing; the Information Statement says three business days. The Participation Agreement deadline runs separately, from the day you receive it.
| Item | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Finance clause in the contract | At least 14 days | Queensland Treasury, how it works |
| Settlement period | At least 30 days | Queensland Treasury, how it works |
| Signed contract and insurance evidence | Treasury says 3 days after signing. The Information Statement says three business days. Follow the deadline confirmed in your approval documents. | Treasury how to apply; Information Statement 3.6 |
| Participation Agreement | Sign within three business days of receiving it. The deadline runs from receipt of the agreement, not from signing the contract. | Information Statement 3.7 |
| Notice before selling | Tell Unity at least 30 days before you engage an agent | Unity Bank scheme FAQs |
| Valuation for a buyback | Must be within 12 months | Unity Bank scheme FAQs |
Treasury's website says 3 days after signing. The Information Statement says three business days. Follow the deadline confirmed in your approval documents.
Does Boost to Buy charge LMI, interest or fees?
No lenders mortgage insurance is required, and the government charges no ordinary interest on its share. You still pay interest on the Unity Bank loan and the usual costs of buying. Unity lists waived valuation fees, but its general fee schedule also lists mortgage charges, so confirm each one in your loan offer.
| Charge | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lenders mortgage insurance | None required | Unity Bank scheme page. |
| Interest on the government share | None | The share is not a loan. Its dollar value moves with the home. |
| Valuation fees | Waived by Unity, subject to its conditions | Do not assume every future valuation is free. |
| Statutory charges | At cost | Unity Bank scheme page. |
| General mortgage establishment fee | $500 on Unity's general schedule | Whether it applies to Boost to Buy loans is for your loan offer to confirm. |
| Mortgage top up fee | $200 on the general schedule | Same: confirm in your offer. |
| Mortgage discharge fee | $300 plus external costs on the general schedule | Same: confirm in your offer. |
| Non compliance charge | 0.50 percentage points added to the government share after two years, repeating every two years | Applies only to unresolved early payment or enforcement events. It is not ordinary loan interest. |
Sources: Unity Bank Boost to Buy page; Unity Bank loans fees and charges, effective 27 August 2026; Queensland Treasury Information Statement.
What would buying a new or existing home look like in numbers?
On a $1,000,000 existing home you save $20,000 and the government adds $250,000. On a $700,000 completed new home you save $14,000 and the government adds $210,000. These are rule based sums, not loan offers.
| Example A: existing home at the price cap | Example B: completed new home | Example C: the lender values the home lower than the price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A $1,000,000 established home. This is the top price the scheme allows. | A $700,000 completed new home with the occupancy certificate already issued. | The same $700,000 new home, but the lender values it at $660,000. |
| Purchase price | $1,000,000 | $700,000 | $700,000 |
| Lender valuation | $1,000,000 | $700,000 | $660,000 |
| Your minimum deposit (2%) | $20,000 | $14,000 | $14,000 |
| Most the government adds | $250,000 | $210,000 | $210,000 |
| Loan before any separate grant | $730,000 | $476,000 | $476,000 |
| Government share of the home | 25.0% | 30.0% | 31.8% |
| Smallest partial buyback, if valued the same later | $50,000 | $35,000 | $33,000 |
| Government share after that buyback | 20.0% | 25.0% | 26.8% |
| First Home Owner Grant | Not available for an ordinary established home | Possibly $30,000, not deducted above | Possibly $30,000, not deducted above |
| Transfer duty | Ordinary home concession may apply. Above the first home relief range. | Possibly nil duty as a first home buyer of a new home | Possibly nil duty as a first home buyer of a new home |
All three examples assume the maximum contribution is approved, acquisition costs are paid separately and no interest rate, growth or repayment projection applies. Unity Bank decides the final structure, including how a separate grant fits in.
What the government dollar share does when the value moves
The government percentage stays fixed, so its dollars move with the home. Using Example B, here is the share if the home is later worth 10% or 20% more or less.
| If the home is worth | Home value | Government dollar share |
|---|---|---|
| 20% less | $560,000 | $168,000 |
| 10% less | $630,000 | $189,000 |
| The same as today | $700,000 | $210,000 |
| 10% more | $770,000 | $231,000 |
| 20% more | $840,000 | $252,000 |
Can I buy back the government's share in parts?
Yes. The smallest partial buyback is five percentage points of the current value of the home, or the final balance if that is smaller. It is points of the home, not 5% of the government balance. You normally keep at least 5% government equity during the first two years.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Smallest partial buyback | Five percentage points of the current value of the property, or the final balance if that is smaller. |
| Valuation used | A current valuation, dated within 12 months. |
| First two years | You normally keep at least 5% government equity. An early full exit needs government consent. |
| Paying the bank | Mortgage repayments do not reduce the government share. Buyback is a separate payment. |
Worked example. Example B's home is later valued at $770,000. A five point buyback costs 5% of $770,000, which is $38,500. The government share falls from 30% to 25%. If you then sell for $800,000, the repayment is 25% of the higher of the sale price and the valuation, which is $200,000.
When must I repay the government's share?
You repay when you sell, when you buy the share back, when the original mortgage ends or is paid off, or if you refinance away from the approved arrangement. Repayment is the government percentage of the home's value at that time, which can be more or less than the original contribution.
| Trigger | Valuation used | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| You buy back the share | Current valuation | Pay the percentage you are buying back, times the current value. |
| You sell the home | The higher of the valuation and the sale price | Repay the government percentage of that higher amount. |
| The original mortgage ends or is paid off | Current value | Repay the whole share. A loan extension does not move this deadline. |
| You refinance away from the approved lender arrangement | Current value | Resolve the government share first. |
| You lose eligibility or breach the agreement | Depends on the event | Repayment can be required. Read the Participation Agreement. |
| Sale within the first two years | As above | Written government consent is needed. |
What happens if my income, job or living arrangements change?
Before settlement, tell Unity Bank about changes to your job or income. After you move in, notify the Queensland Government when your income exceeds the applicable threshold. Income 25% above the threshold for two consecutive years triggers a repayment capacity assessment, and periodic compliance reviews also apply. Absences over three months need approval. Renting a room is allowed.
| Change | What follows |
|---|---|
| Your income goes over the applicable threshold | Notify the Queensland Government when your income exceeds the applicable threshold. |
| Income 25% above the threshold for two years in a row | This triggers a repayment capacity assessment, based on your borrowing capacity. The government also reviews your income every three years, and periodic compliance reviews apply. |
| You are away from the home for more than three consecutive months | You need approval. |
| You rent out a room | Allowed. |
| You want to buy another property | Not allowed while you hold the share. |
| You want to borrow more against the home | Only to repay the government share. |
| Insurance and ownership costs | You pay them and keep the home insured. The scheme is audited every five years. |
| Job or income changes between approval and settlement | Tell Unity. Whether and how often employment is rechecked is not published, so ask Unity. |
A rise in income does not mean an automatic forced sale. The review looks at your borrowing capacity and can lead to a partial or full repayment.
Boost to Buy questions answered
Is Boost to Buy open in South East Queensland?
No. Queensland Treasury says South East Queensland allocations are exhausted. Round 2 places remain available in regional Queensland through Unity Bank. No count of remaining places is published, so an open status is not a guaranteed place.
What are the current Boost to Buy income limits?
$155,000 applies to a single applicant; $232,000 applies to joint applicants or a single applicant with dependants for the 2026 income year. The launch limits were $150,000 and $225,000, so older articles may show lower figures.
Can I use Boost to Buy for a house and land package or an off the plan unit?
No. The home must be complete, with its occupancy or final inspection certificate issued, before you sign the contract. Vacant land, off the plan purchases and auction purchases are excluded, and a house and land package bought as land plus a build contract does not qualify. Help to Buy and the 5% Deposit Scheme do support eligible construction, so compare them on the Help to Buy page.
Does the government charge interest on its share?
No ordinary interest is charged. The share is a percentage of the home, so what you repay moves with the value of the home. A separate 0.50 percentage point charge can apply to unresolved early payment or enforcement events after two years.
Does the lender valuation matter?
Yes. The government percentage is its approved contribution divided by the lower of the purchase price and the lender valuation. At the maximum contribution, matching values produce 30% for a new home or 25% for an existing home. A lower valuation increases the percentage. Example C in the numbers section shows this.
What is the smallest part of the government share I can buy back?
Five percentage points of the current value of the home, or the final balance if that is smaller. On a $700,000 home worth $700,000 that is $35,000. You normally keep at least 5% government equity during the first two years.
Can I use Boost to Buy with the First Home Owner Grant?
Possibly. The $30,000 grant is for eligible new homes valued under $750,000 and is assessed separately. It cannot count towards your 2% savings deposit. The grant needs a total value below $750,000, so a $750,000 home is just outside it, while Boost to Buy allows prices up to and including $1,000,000.
Can I use Boost to Buy and Help to Buy together?
No. Each excludes the other, and Help to Buy cannot be combined with the 5% Deposit Scheme. See the three scheme comparison or the Help to Buy page.
What happens if my income rises after I join?
Notify the Queensland Government when your income exceeds the applicable threshold. Income 25% above the threshold for two consecutive years triggers a repayment capacity assessment, based on your borrowing capacity. Periodic compliance reviews also apply. It does not mean an automatic forced sale.
Can I rent out a room?
Yes. Room rental is allowed. You must live in the home, get approval for absences longer than three consecutive months, and not own another property while you hold the government share.
How long does approval take?
We found no standard approval timeframe in the sources we checked. Confirm timing with Unity Bank. Treasury publishes a six month window to sign a contract after provisional approval. For returning documents, Treasury's website says 3 days after signing and the Information Statement says three business days, so follow the deadline in your approval documents. The Participation Agreement deadline runs separately, from the day you receive it.
Does Boost to Buy have a closing date?
No published closing date. The 31 October 2026 date seen online was the end of the regional trial for the Queensland Housing Finance Loan, a different product.
Do I need a conveyancer or lawyer?
Unity Bank says a lawyer or conveyancer is required for settlement. Have them read the contract and the Participation Agreement before you sign. You can find a conveyancer here.
Sources
How we checked: every figure on this page was read on the official source pages listed below on 28 October 2026.
- Queensland Treasury, Boost to Buy. Updated 30 September 2026. https://www.treasury.qld.gov.au/policies-and-programs/home-ownership/boost-to-buy/
- Queensland Treasury, Boost to Buy overview. Updated 30 September 2026. https://www.treasury.qld.gov.au/policies-and-programs/home-ownership/boost-to-buy/overview/
- Queensland Treasury, Boost to Buy fact sheet. July 2026. https://www.treasury.qld.gov.au/files/boost-to-buy-fact-sheet.pdf
- Queensland Treasury, Eligibility, obligations and exit. Updated 3 July 2026. https://www.treasury.qld.gov.au/policies-and-programs/home-ownership/boost-to-buy/eligibility-obligations-exit/
- Queensland Treasury, How Boost to Buy works. Updated 3 July 2026. https://www.treasury.qld.gov.au/policies-and-programs/home-ownership/boost-to-buy/how-it-works/
- Queensland Treasury, How to apply. Updated 3 July 2026. https://www.treasury.qld.gov.au/policies-and-programs/home-ownership/boost-to-buy/how-to-apply/
- Queensland Treasury, Boost to Buy Information Statement. No date shown on the document. https://www.treasury.qld.gov.au/files/boost-to-buy-information-statement.pdf
- Queensland Treasury, Boost to Buy regional allocation guideline. No date shown on the document. https://www.treasury.qld.gov.au/files/boost-to-buy-regional-allocation-guideline.pdf
- Queensland Government, Ministerial statement: Boost to Buy launch. Published 14 December 2025. https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/104180
- Queensland Government, Ministerial statement: Boost to Buy Round 2. Published 31 March 2026. https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/104818
- Unity Bank, Boost to Buy home loans. No date shown on the page. https://www.unitybank.com.au/home-loans/affordable-home-pathways/boost-to-buy/
- Unity Bank, Boost to Buy FAQs. No date shown on the page. https://www.unitybank.com.au/help/support/frequently-asked-questions/boost-to-buy-faqs
- Unity Bank, Loans fees and charges. Effective 27 August 2026. https://www.unitybank.com.au/reusable-documents/rates-and-fees/loans-fees-and-charges/
- Housing Australia, Help to Buy. No date shown on the page. https://firsthomebuyers.gov.au/australian-government-help-buy-scheme
- Housing Australia, Help to Buy income thresholds. Effective 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. https://firsthomebuyers.gov.au/htb-thresholds
- Housing Australia, Help to Buy property price caps. No date shown on the page. https://firsthomebuyers.gov.au/help-buy-tools-and-resources/help-buy-property-price-caps
- Housing Australia, Help to Buy customer guide. Version 260701 (1 July 2026). https://firsthomebuyers.gov.au/helptobuycustomerguide
- Housing Australia, Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme. No date shown on the page. https://firsthomebuyers.gov.au/australian-government-5-percent-deposit-scheme
- Housing Australia, 5% Deposit Scheme Information Guide. Document states 1 July 2026. https://firsthomebuyers.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-09/Australian%20Government%205%25%20Deposit%20Scheme%20Information%20Guide.pdf
- Queensland Revenue Office, First Home Owner Grant eligibility. Updated 5 August 2026. https://qro.qld.gov.au/property-concessions-grants/first-home-grant/eligibility/
- Queensland Revenue Office, State Budget 2026. Issued 23 June 2026. https://qro.qld.gov.au/2026/06/state-budget-2026/
- Queensland Revenue Office, Transfer duty concession: first home, new home. Updated 31 July 2026. https://qro.qld.gov.au/duties/transfer-duty/concessions/homes/first-home-new-home/
- Queensland Revenue Office, Transfer duty concession: first home. Updated 31 July 2026. https://qro.qld.gov.au/duties/transfer-duty/concessions/homes/first-home/
- Queensland Government, Low deposit home loan (Queensland Housing Finance Loan). Updated 2 October 2026. https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/home-buyers-financial-help/low-deposit-home-loan
NestPath calculations on this page, including the worked examples and the calculator, are rule based arithmetic from these sources. They are not quotes from Unity Bank or QRIDA.
What should my conveyancer check before I sign?
Unity Bank requires a lawyer or conveyancer for settlement. Before you sign, they read the contract and the shared equity paperwork against the scheme rules above, including the contract terms, the valuation and what happens if final approval fails.
- The finance clause is at least 14 days and settlement is at least 30 days.
- The home was complete, with its certificate issued, before the contract was signed.
- The Participation Agreement, once you hold it, and how it treats valuation and sale.
- What happens to your contract deposit if final approval fails.
- The owner occupation, absence and further borrowing obligations.
- Who is coordinating settlement with Unity Bank.
General information, not personal advice.
Also explore
Everything you need to buy your first home