Key Highlights
- Queensland first home buyers purchasing a new home can access a $30,000 First Home Owner Grant for contracts signed before 30 June 2026. After that date the grant reverts to $15,000
- From 1 May 2025, first home buyers in Queensland pay zero stamp duty on new homes and vacant land with no price cap. On established homes, full concessions apply under $700,000 and partial concessions up to $800,000
- The federal First Home Guarantee allows eligible buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance, with property price caps of $1,000,000 in South East Queensland and $700,000 in regional QLD
- The Boost to Buy shared equity scheme offers the Queensland Government contributing up to 30% of a new home purchase price or 25% for an existing home, with buyers needing only a 2% deposit on properties up to $1,000,000
- Income caps for Boost to Buy are among the most generous in Australia: singles up to $150,000 per year and couples or singles with dependants up to $225,000 per year
- Multiple schemes can be stacked. A first home buyer purchasing a new home in Queensland can potentially combine the FHOG, stamp duty exemption, and First Home Guarantee, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in savings and a dramatically lower entry deposit
- Common eligibility traps include having previously owned residential property in Australia in any capacity, receiving a prior FHOG in any state, and owning investment property even if you never lived in it
- A mortgage broker can confirm your eligibility across all schemes simultaneously, identify any traps specific to your circumstances, and coordinate the application process with your lender and conveyancer
Queensland has one of the most generous first home buyer assistance landscapes in Australia. The combination of a $30,000 state grant, zero stamp duty on new homes, a federal deposit guarantee scheme, and a new shared equity program means the total assistance available to an eligible first home buyer right now can run to well over $100,000 in equivalent value depending on what you are buying and where.
The challenge is that each scheme has different eligibility requirements, property type restrictions, income caps, and application processes. Not every buyer qualifies for every scheme, and applying for one can affect eligibility for another if the process is not managed correctly.
This guide covers every scheme available to Queensland first home buyers as at March 2026, what you actually need to qualify, and how to stack the schemes that apply to your situation.
Stanford Financial specialises in helping first home buyers navigate QLD’s scheme landscape. We confirm your eligibility, identify which schemes you can stack, and coordinate the application with your lender and conveyancer.
All Available Schemes at a Glance
| Scheme | Maximum Benefit | Min Deposit | Key Condition |
| QLD First Home Owner Grant | $30,000 cash (to June 2026) | N/A | New homes only, under $750,000 |
| Stamp Duty Exemption (new) | Full exemption (no cap) | N/A | New homes and vacant land from May 2025 |
| Stamp Duty Concession (established) | Up to $17,350 | N/A | Established homes under $800,000 |
| First Home Guarantee | No LMI on 5% deposit | 5% | New or established, price caps apply |
| Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee | No LMI on 5% deposit | 5% | Outside major cities only |
| Family Home Guarantee | No LMI on 2% deposit | 2% | Eligible single parents only |
| Boost to Buy (QLD) | Up to 30% govt equity contribution | 2% | Income caps, properties up to $1M |
The Queensland First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
The Queensland First Home Owner Grant is a cash payment from the Queensland Government to eligible first home buyers. As at March 2026, the grant is $30,000 for contracts signed before 30 June 2026. After that date it reverts to $15,000. The grant is paid at settlement by your lender on your behalf through the Queensland Revenue Office.
Who qualifies for the FHOG?
To be eligible for the Queensland FHOG, all of the following must apply:
- At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- At least one applicant must be aged 18 or over
- Neither you nor your spouse or de facto partner has previously owned residential property in Australia that you lived in
- Neither you nor your spouse or de facto partner has previously received a First Home Owner Grant in any Australian state or territory
- The property must be a new home that has never been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence
- The total value of the property (including land and contract variations) must be under $750,000
- You must move in within 12 months of settlement or construction completion and live there as your principal place of residence for at least 6 continuous months
New homes only
The FHOG applies exclusively to new homes. This includes:
- House and land packages where the land is purchased and the home is built by a registered builder
- Off-the-plan apartment or unit purchases where the contract is signed before completion
- Owner-built homes
- Homes that have been substantially renovated and are being sold as new
Established properties, that is homes that have previously been occupied or sold as a residence, do not qualify for the FHOG. First home buyers purchasing established homes can still access stamp duty concessions, but not the grant itself.
The grant is not paid upfront as a deposit. It is paid at settlement, which means you still need genuine savings available on the day of contract. Some lenders will take the incoming grant into account when assessing your overall position, but they cannot use it as your actual deposit.
Stamp Duty Concessions for First Home Buyers
Queensland significantly improved its stamp duty concessions for first home buyers from 1 May 2025. The changes depend on whether you are buying a new or established home.
New homes and vacant land
First home buyers purchasing a new home or vacant land in Queensland pay zero stamp duty as of 1 May 2025. There is no property price cap on this exemption. Whether you are buying a $400,000 townhouse or a $900,000 new build, the stamp duty bill is nil.
This is a significant change from the previous concession structure, which had both a price cap and a sliding scale. The full exemption with no cap is one of the most generous stamp duty policies for new home buyers in Australia.
Established homes
For first home buyers purchasing established residential properties:
- Properties under $700,000: full stamp duty concession applies. The saving is approximately $17,350 compared to a standard purchaser at that price point
- Properties between $700,000 and $800,000: a partial concession applies on a sliding scale. You pay some stamp duty but less than the standard rate
- Properties $800,000 and above: no concession applies and standard stamp duty rates are payable
Use our Queensland stamp duty calculator to see exactly how much you will pay (or save) at any purchase price.
The First Home Guarantee
The First Home Guarantee is a federal government scheme administered by Housing Australia. It allows eligible first home buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. The government guarantees the remaining 15% of the standard 20% threshold, meaning the lender treats the loan as if an 80% LVR deposit was provided.
Use our First Home Guarantee price cap calculator to check whether your target suburb qualifies before you sign a contract.
The scheme was significantly expanded from 1 October 2025:
- No income caps: the previous thresholds of $125,000 for individuals and $200,000 for couples were removed entirely
- No cap on places: the scheme now has unlimited places rather than the previous annual allocation
- New and established homes are both eligible
Property price caps in Queensland
- Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast: up to $1,000,000
- Rest of Queensland: up to $700,000
How LMI savings add up
LMI on a $700,000 purchase with a 5% deposit would typically cost between $20,000 and $28,000 depending on the lender. The First Home Guarantee eliminates this cost entirely for eligible buyers. On a $1,000,000 purchase in Brisbane, the LMI saving can exceed $40,000.
Use our LMI calculator to see your exact LMI saving at any purchase price and deposit size.
The First Home Guarantee must be applied for through an approved lender. Not all lenders are approved and your broker will know which ones are participating. You cannot apply directly through Housing Australia.
The Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee
The Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee operates on the same terms as the First Home Guarantee (5% deposit, no LMI) but is specifically for buyers purchasing outside major cities. In Queensland, this means areas outside Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast.
The property price cap for the Regional Guarantee in Queensland is $700,000. The same removal of income caps and unlimited places that applies to the standard First Home Guarantee also applies here.
For buyers in Ipswich, Springfield, Toowoomba, Cairns, Townsville, and other regional Queensland centres, this scheme can be combined with the FHOG and stamp duty exemption to create a compelling entry into the market.
The Family Home Guarantee
The Family Home Guarantee is designed specifically for eligible single parents or single legal guardians of at least one dependent child. It allows purchase with as little as a 2% deposit, with the government guaranteeing up to 18% of the standard 20% threshold. No LMI is payable.
Eligibility requires:
- You are a single parent or single legal guardian of at least one dependent
- You do not currently own property (you can be a previous owner and still qualify under certain conditions unlike the standard First Home Guarantee)
- The property is purchased as your principal place of residence
The Family Home Guarantee is not limited to first home buyers. Previous homeowners who no longer own property may also qualify, which makes it particularly useful for people who owned property during a relationship and are now purchasing independently after separation.
Property price caps are the same as the First Home Guarantee: $1,000,000 in Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast, and $700,000 in the rest of Queensland.
The Boost to Buy Scheme (QLD)
Boost to Buy is a Queensland Government shared equity scheme launched in December 2025. It is designed to help first home buyers who have a small deposit but sufficient income to service a home loan bridge the gap between what they can borrow and the price of a home.
How it works
The Queensland Government contributes equity to your home purchase in exchange for an ongoing equity stake in the property:
- New homes: government contributes up to 30% of the purchase price
- Existing homes: government contributes up to 25% of the purchase price
- You need a minimum 2% deposit on properties up to $1,000,000
The government does not charge interest on its equity contribution. When you sell the property or pay off your loan, you repay the government’s share based on the current value of the property at that time, not the original purchase price. This means if the property increases in value, you repay more. If it decreases, you repay less.
Eligibility
- Must be a first home buyer purchasing in Queensland
- Single purchasers: income up to $150,000 per year
- Couples or singles with dependants: income up to $225,000 per year
- Property value must not exceed $1,000,000
- Must occupy the property as your principal place of residence
- Applications are processed through approved lenders on a first come first served basis
Important considerations
Boost to Buy is a shared equity scheme, which means the government has a financial stake in your home for as long as you participate. If your income grows significantly above the threshold for two consecutive years, you may be required to repay part of the government’s equity. If you sell, the government receives its proportional share of the sale proceeds based on current market value. Seek independent financial advice before applying.
As of March 2026, the initial South East Queensland allocation of 500 places has been exhausted. A limited number of regional Queensland places remain available through Unity Bank. Additional places for both South East Queensland and regional Queensland are scheduled for release in early 2026. The scheme is administered through approved lenders only and cannot be applied for directly through the Queensland Government.
How to Stack Multiple Schemes
The most powerful outcome for eligible Queensland first home buyers comes from combining multiple schemes simultaneously. Here is a worked example showing what is achievable for a buyer purchasing a new home in South East Queensland in 2025 to 2026.
Scenario: First home buyer purchasing a new house and land package for $700,000 in Springfield Central
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| Item | Without schemes | With schemes stacked |
| Purchase price | $700,000 | $700,000 |
| Standard 20% deposit required | $140,000 | N/A |
| Deposit required with First Home Guarantee | N/A | $35,000 (5%) |
| Stamp duty payable | $21,850 | $0 (new home exemption from May 2025) |
| LMI payable | $21,000 to $28,000 | $0 (waived via First Home Guarantee) |
| Queensland First Home Owner Grant | N/A | -$30,000 (applied at settlement) |
| Net cash required above 5% deposit | $42,850 to $49,850 | ~$5,000 to $8,000 (purchase costs only) |
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In this scenario, the buyer enters a $700,000 property with approximately $40,000 to $50,000 less upfront cash than they would need without any schemes. The $30,000 grant offsets most of the 5% deposit, meaning the true out of pocket cash needed is essentially the conveyancing, inspection, and loan establishment costs.
Note: The FHOG is paid at settlement, not upfront. You still need genuine savings of at least the 5% deposit ($35,000 in this example) available at the time of purchase. The grant reduces your loan balance at settlement rather than replacing your deposit. Speak to a Stanford Financial broker about how to sequence your funds correctly.
How to Apply
First Home Owner Grant
The FHOG is applied for through your approved lender rather than directly through the Queensland Revenue Office in most cases. Your lender or broker will lodge the application on your behalf as part of the settlement process. Your conveyancer will also be involved in coordinating the payment. You do not need to contact QRO directly unless your application is not being processed through an approved lender.
Stamp duty concessions
Stamp duty exemptions and concessions for first home buyers in Queensland are applied automatically during the transfer duty assessment at settlement. Your conveyancer handles this as part of the settlement process. You declare your eligibility in the transfer duty return, which your conveyancer prepares.
First Home Guarantee and related federal schemes
Federal guarantee schemes must be applied for through an approved lender. Your broker can identify which approved lenders are participating, submit your application, and confirm your allocation before you sign a contract. You cannot apply directly through Housing Australia as a buyer.
Boost to Buy
Boost to Buy applications are lodged through Unity Bank, which is currently the only approved lender for the scheme. If you are eligible, Unity Bank submits the Boost to Buy application on your behalf as part of the home loan application process. Check Unity Bank’s website for current availability, as places are released in batches.
Common Eligibility Traps
These are the scenarios that most commonly cause first home buyers to discover they are ineligible for one or more schemes after they assumed they qualified.
Previously owned investment property
For the Queensland FHOG, having previously owned an investment property that you never lived in does not automatically disqualify you from the grant. The critical test is whether you owned a property that you or your spouse occupied as a residence. If you owned a rental property but never lived in it, you may still qualify for the FHOG.
However, for the federal First Home Guarantee, the rules are stricter. You must never have previously owned or had an interest in property that was your principal place of residence in Australia. Previous investment property ownership that you did not occupy is not a disqualifier for the guarantee.
If you or your partner have any previous property ownership history in any capacity, seek advice before signing a contract. The eligibility rules differ between the state FHOG and the federal guarantee schemes, and getting them wrong can result in grant repayments and penalties.
Receiving a previous FHOG in another state
If you have previously received a First Home Owner Grant in any Australian state or territory under any version of the scheme, you are not eligible to receive it again in Queensland. This applies even if the property you received it for was in a different state.
Inherited property
If you have received an inheritance that included a residential property, your eligibility for the FHOG depends on whether you became a registered proprietor of that property. Receiving a beneficial interest through a deceased estate without being registered on title may not disqualify you, but this area is complex and requires legal advice specific to your situation.
Relationship breakdown and property division
If you previously owned property jointly with a former partner and the property was transferred to your partner as part of a property settlement, you may still be eligible for certain schemes. The Family Home Guarantee in particular has specific provisions for previous homeowners who no longer own property. This is worth exploring if your circumstances include a separation.
Residency requirement for the FHOG
You must move into the property within 12 months of settlement or construction completion and live there as your principal place of residence for at least 6 continuous months. If you purchase a new home intending to rent it out initially and move in later, you may not meet this requirement and could be required to repay the grant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the $30,000 FHOG if I buy an established home?
No. The Queensland First Home Owner Grant applies only to new homes that have never been occupied or sold as a place of residence. If you are buying an established property, you can still access stamp duty concessions on properties under $800,000 and may qualify for the First Home Guarantee, but the $30,000 cash grant is not available.
Can I use the First Home Guarantee and the FHOG together?
Yes. The First Home Guarantee and the Queensland FHOG can be used together on a new home purchase that meets both sets of eligibility criteria. The guarantee removes the LMI requirement on your 5% deposit loan, while the FHOG provides a cash payment at settlement that reduces your loan balance. Both can also be combined with the stamp duty exemption on new homes.
Can I stack Boost to Buy with the First Home Guarantee?
No. Boost to Buy and the First Home Guarantee are separate deposit assistance mechanisms that address the same part of the transaction and cannot be used simultaneously. You choose one or the other. Boost to Buy is generally the stronger option if you have very limited savings, given the government contributes up to 30% of the purchase price. The First Home Guarantee is simpler and leaves you with 100% ownership of your property from day one.
Does the FHOG count as my deposit?
No. The FHOG is paid at settlement, after you have already provided your deposit at contract exchange. It reduces your loan balance at settlement rather than serving as the deposit itself. You need genuine savings of at least your lender’s minimum deposit available when you sign the contract. Some lenders will factor the incoming grant into their assessment of your overall financial position, but it cannot replace the actual deposit funds.
What happens to my Boost to Buy equity if my property value increases?
When you sell your property or pay off your loan, you repay the Queensland Government’s equity share based on the current market value of the property at that time, not the original purchase price. If the property has increased in value, the government’s share is worth more and you repay more. If the property has decreased in value, you repay less. You can also buy back the government’s equity at any time by increasing your loan, subject to lender approval and your income not exceeding the threshold triggers.
Speak to a Stanford Financial Broker to Confirm Your Eligibility
The Queensland first home buyer assistance landscape has never been more generous, but navigating it correctly requires more than a quick online check. Eligibility rules differ between schemes, application processes vary, timing matters, and combining the wrong schemes can actually reduce your overall benefit.
Stanford Financial specialises in first home buyer lending across Queensland. Our brokers confirm your eligibility across all available schemes simultaneously, identify which combinations apply to your situation, and coordinate the application process with your lender and conveyancer so nothing falls through the cracks.
- Free, no-obligation assessment with no impact on your credit file until you proceed
- Access to over 50 lenders including all First Home Guarantee and Boost to Buy approved participants
- Offices in Springfield Central, servicing Brisbane, Ipswich, the Gold Coast, and Australia wide
Call 0483 980 002 or book your free assessment online. We typically respond within one business day.
Reviewed and Verified
All content published on this website has been reviewed and verified by Steven Beach, Lending Director at Stanford Financial. With over 20 years of experience in finance and lending, Steve ensures that every article, guide, and resource accurately reflects current lending practices, lender policies, and the real-world outcomes he sees working with Australian borrowers every day. His hands-on experience across home loans, investment lending, and specialist finance means the information you read here is grounded in genuine industry expertise – not just theory.
