Get a great home loan, the first time

The First Home Owner Grant is a national first home buyer scheme designed to help Australians buying their first property. Each state and territory have their own eligibility criteria, but in general you’ll need to be over the age of 18, a permanent resident or Australian citizen, and not previously owned a residential property anywhere in Australia.

Below is a state-by-state breakdown (updated April 2026)

Victoria

• $10,000 if you buy or build a new home worth $750,000 or less.
• The home must be new, which can include off the plan and substantially renovated homes.
• At least one applicant must be 18 or over, and at least one must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• At least one applicant must move in within 12 months and live there for at least 12 months. You may still be eligible if you owned property after 1 July 2000 but never lived in it as your home.

Find out more about the Victorian FHOG.

New South Wales

• $10,000 if you buy or build your first new home.
• A new or substantially renovated home must be $600,000 or less. A house and land package must be $750,000 or less in total.
• You must be 18 or over, apply as an individual, and at least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• You must move in within 12 months and live there for 12 continuous months. You may still be eligible if you owned property after 1 July 2000 but didn’t live in it for more than 6 continuous months.

Find out more information specific to the New South Wales FHOG.

Queensland

• $30,000 for eligible contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026.
• The grant is for new homes only, including substantially renovated homes, and the home must be worth less than $750,000.
• You must be 18 or over, and at least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• You must move in within 12 months and live there for at least 6 months.

Find out more information specific to the Queensland FHOG.

Western Australia

• Up to $10,000 if you buy or build your first new home.
• Homes south of the 26th parallel can be worth up to $750,000. Homes north of the 26th parallel can be worth up to $1,000,000.
• Applicants must be 18 or over, and at least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• At least one applicant must move in within 12 months and all applicants must live there for a continuous period of at least 6 months.

Find out more information specific to the Western Australian FHOG.

South Australia

• Up to $15,000 if you buy or build a new home in South Australia.
• It can apply to new homes, off the plan purchases, substantially renovated homes, building contracts, and owner builder projects.
• For contracts signed on or after 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap.
• Applicants must be 18 or over and at least one applicant must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Find out more information specific to the South Australian FHOG.

Australian Capital Territory

• The First Home Owner Grant is no longer available in the ACT.
• Support is available through the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, which reduces or removes stamp duty instead of paying a cash grant.
• In 2025 to 2026, eligible buyers can pay no duty on homes up to $1,020,000.
• The scheme can apply to new homes, existing homes, and vacant residential land, but income limits and residency rules apply.

Find out more informaton on the ACT Home Buyer Concession Scheme

Tasmania

• $30,000 may be available for eligible transactions between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.
• The grant is for new homes only.
• Applicants must be 18 or over and at least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• You must move in within 12 months and live there for at least 6 continuous months.

Find out more information specific to the Tasmanian FHOG.

Northern Territory

• $50,000 is available for eligible first home buyers who buy or build a new home in the NT with contracts signed between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2027.
• $10,000 is available for eligible first home buyers who buy an established home with contracts signed between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025.
• Applicants must be 18 or over, apply as people rather than a company or trust, and at least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. You must live in the home for at least 12 months.

Find out more information specific to the HomeGrown Territory Grant.

Stamp duty is a state government tax levied on home buyers. The amount depends on the state or territory, purchase price and whether you qualify for any concessions.

Learn more about stamp duty.

When looking to buy your first home, you’ll need the following:

• A deposit. Usually 20% of your loan amount, or 10% which will require you to pay Lenders’ Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
• Funds to pay for government and third-party fees
• Your bank statements
• PAYG summaries
• Income statements
• Details of any other debt or financial responsibilities you currently have

Our self-serve home loan application can be completed independently and at your own pace, so if you’ve checked your eligibility and prepared the documentation you need - get started!

With a Tiimely Own home loan you can get a first home owner loan with a minimum 10% deposit. If you have less than a 20% deposit you’ll need to pay Lenders’ Mortgage Insurance (LMI). LMI protects the lender in case you can’t make your repayments, the cost can be added to your total loan amount (but keep in mind this means you’ll have less to spend on your home). You’ll also need additional funds to cover any government and third-party fees.