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There are a stack of government grants and schemes in Australia designed to help first home buyers get into the market. Some give you cash at settlement. Some waive stamp duty. Some help you buy with a smaller deposit without paying LMI.
Federal: First Home Guarantee Scheme
The First Home Guarantee (FHBG) lets eligible buyers purchase with a deposit as low as 5% without paying LMI. The government acts as guarantor — they don't give you money, but their guarantee means the lender doesn't require LMI.
From 1 October 2025, the scheme gets significantly better — unlimited places, no income limits, and increased property price caps.
New price caps from October 2025:
| Location | Price Cap |
| NSW — capital city & regional centre | $1,500,000 |
| NSW — other | $800,000 |
| VIC — capital city & regional centre | $950,000 |
| VIC — other | $650,000 |
| QLD — capital city & regional centre | $1,000,000 |
| QLD — other | $700,000 |
| WA — capital city | $850,000 |
| SA — capital city | $900,000 |
| ACT | $1,000,000 |
State-based grants
Every state has its own programs across three categories:
First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) — A one-off cash payment at settlement, typically for new homes. NSW and WA offer $10,000, QLD up to $30,000, SA and TAS up to $15,000–$30,000.
Stamp duty waivers — Full exemptions or concessions on transfer duty. Can save tens of thousands. Available in every state with varying thresholds.
Shared equity schemes — The government co-invests in your property in exchange for an equity stake. Available in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, and ACT with different eligibility criteria.
Every scheme has eligibility conditions — income limits, price caps, residency requirements. Book a chat with Kick Finance and we'll tell you exactly what you qualify for.