What can you stack?
Pick your situation and see every scheme that applies, with real figures.
Figures assume you meet the standard first home buyer tests (age, citizenship or permanent residency, no previous property, and living in the home). The two minute checker walks through all of them.
First Home Owner Grant
WA pays a one off $10,000 grant for buying or building a new home. The price cap rose on 7 May 2026: $800,000 south of the 26th parallel, which covers all of Perth, and $1,000,000 north of it. Established homes do not qualify unless substantially renovated.
You need to be 18 or older, at least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and you must live in the home for at least six continuous months starting within 12 months of completion. Apply within 12 months, through your lender or broker, or directly with RevenueWA.
Official source: wa.gov.au
Stamp duty: bigger relief is landing right now
Today, WA first home buyers pay no transfer duty up to $500,000, with a reduced rate running to $700,000 in Perth and $750,000 regionally. Vacant land is duty free to $350,000.
Here is the part most sites have not caught up with: the May 2026 state budget lifted those thresholds to $0 up to $600,000 and a concession to $800,000, with land moving to $450,000 and $550,000, worth up to $22,515 more in savings. The catch is timing. The new rates apply to contracts signed from 7 May 2026, but until the legislation commences (currently estimated late July 2026) your settlement is assessed at the old rates and RevenueWA refunds the difference afterwards. Budget for the old rates, expect the refund.
The budget also unlinked the duty concession from the grant cap, so you can claim duty relief even above the grant threshold.
Official source: wa.gov.au (2026-27 Housing Taxation Package)
Keystart: the 2% deposit state lender
Keystart is WA Government backed lending with a deposit as low as 2% in the metro area and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance ever. It is not only for first home buyers, but it is built for people the banks make wait.
Metro limits: purchase price up to $860,000 with income up to $155,000 for singles and $228,000 for couples and families. Regional and North West limits differ, so check the current tables. The trade off is a higher interest rate than the sharpest bank deals, and many buyers refinance out once they have equity.
Official source: Keystart
First Home Guarantee: 5% deposit, no LMI
The federal First Home Guarantee, now marketed as the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, lets you buy with a 5% deposit while the government guarantees the rest, so you skip LMI entirely. No income caps and no place limits since October 2025.
WA price caps: $850,000 for Perth and $600,000 for the rest of the state. Move in within six months of settlement. Apply through your lender or broker, and it stacks with the grant and duty relief.
Official source: firsthomebuyers.gov.au (Housing Australia)
First Home Super Saver Scheme
Build your deposit inside super, taxed at 15% instead of your marginal rate. Contribute up to $15,000 a year voluntarily and release up to $50,000 per person plus associated earnings when you buy. Request the release through the ATO before signing and allow a few weeks.
Official source: Australian Taxation Office
Three real price points
The same figures the stamp duty calculator uses, applied to three typical purchases in Western Australia.
A new build in the outer suburbs: grant plus zero duty
- FHOG: $10,000
- Duty saved: $16,815
An established home in the current concession band
- FHOG: not eligible
- Duty saved: $4,445 (you pay $20,445)
Above the duty relief, but inside the Perth 5% scheme cap
- FHOG: not eligible
- Full duty applies: $34,891
How to actually get the money
Run the eligibility checker
Two minutes, every scheme at once, including whether Keystart limits fit your income.
Let your broker lodge the paperwork
The grant and the 5% deposit guarantee both go through your lender. Keystart applications go to Keystart directly or via its brokers.
Duty relief happens at settlement
Your settlement agent claims the first home owner rate. Contracts signed from 7 May 2026 get the better thresholds refunded once the legislation commences.
Keep the residency rules
Move in within 12 months and live there at least six continuous months, or RevenueWA can claw the benefits back.
Straight answers
How much is the first home owner grant in WA in 2026?
The WA First Home Owner Grant is $10,000 for new homes. Since 7 May 2026 the price cap is $800,000 south of the 26th parallel, including all of Perth, and $1,000,000 north of it. Established homes do not qualify.
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in WA?
Not up to $500,000 under the current first home owner rate, with a concession to $700,000 in Perth and $750,000 regionally. The 2026-27 budget lifts these to $600,000 and $800,000 for contracts signed from 7 May 2026, with the difference refunded once the legislation commences, expected late July 2026.
What is Keystart and do I need a big deposit?
Keystart is the WA Government backed lender. In the metro area it takes deposits as low as 2% with no Lenders Mortgage Insurance, up to a purchase price of $860,000, income tested at $155,000 for singles and $228,000 for couples. Rates are higher than the banks, and many buyers refinance out later.
Can I combine the WA grant with the duty concession and the 5% deposit scheme?
Yes. On a new home under the caps you can take the $10,000 grant, pay reduced or zero duty, and buy with a 5% deposit under the federal guarantee at the same time. Keystart is an alternative lending path rather than a stackable extra.
How long do I have to live in the property in WA?
At least six continuous months, starting within 12 months of settlement or construction completion, for both the grant and the duty concession.