The FHG enables eligible single parents with dependents to build a new home or purchase an existing one with a deposit of 2 percent, subject to lenders' credit criteria. Recipients can qualify regardless of whether they are a first home buyer or a previous home owner.
The FHSS (First Home Super Saver Scheme) scheme was introduced by the Australian Government in the Federal Budget 2017-18 to reduce pressure on housing affordability. From 1 July 2017 you can make voluntary contributions into your superannuation fund to save for your first home. Concessional contributions are taxed at only 15%, which is usually less than your marginal income tax rate. Assessable FHSS amounts also benefit from a 30% FHSS tax offset.
The new rules state that first time buyers need now only save a 5% deposit when they purchase a new property. Currently most banks and financiers require a 20% deposit before they will consider providing finance for the purchase of a residential property.
The Queensland Government provides a page to test your eligibility and stayed updated on their First Home Buyer Grant in Queensland. Find out more on their dedicated resource below.
Zero Stamp Duty on New Homes from May 2025
If you are buying a new home or substantially renovated home as your first residence in Queensland, you may be eligible for a full transfer (stamp) duty concession, reducing the amount you pay to zero. To qualify, your contract must be signed on or after 1 May 2025. The date that matters is when you sign the contract, not when settlement occurs. There is no price cap on the home, meaning the concession applies regardless of the purchase price (though duty may still apply to any additional land that is not part of the residence or used for residential purposes).
A new home for the purposes of this concession is a property that has never been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence, or a substantially renovated home that meets the GST definition of new residential premises and has not been previously occupied or sold as a residence after renovation.
Claiming the correct concession at the right time is critical. The application must be lodged with the Queensland Revenue Office at settlement, if it is missed or lodged incorrectly, you may be required to pay full duty and seek a refund separately.
The Boost to Buy scheme is a Queensland Government shared equity program that allows eligible buyers to purchase a home with as little as a 2% deposit, with the Queensland Government contributing up to 30% of the purchase price for a new home, or 25% for an existing home. Properties must be valued at $1,000,000 or less.
Income eligibility is generous by Australian standards. Singles can earn up to $150,000 per year, and couples or singles with dependants can earn up to $225,000 per year. Unlike some federal schemes, Boost to Buy is available to both first home buyers and eligible previous homeowners who no longer own property.
Q: What is the Family Home Guarantee and how is it different from the First Home Guarantee?
The Family Home Guarantee is a related federal scheme specifically for eligible single parents with at least one dependent child. It allows purchase with a 2% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance, and is available to both first home buyers and previous homeowners who no longer own property. The First Home Guarantee, by contrast, requires a 5% deposit and is limited to buyers who have not previously owned a home in Australia.
Q: Do I pay any stamp duty as a first home buyer purchasing a new home in Queensland?
No. If you sign a contract on or after 1 May 2025 to purchase a new or substantially renovated home as your first residence in Queensland, you pay zero transfer (stamp) duty. There is no price cap, so this full concession applies regardless of the purchase price of the home.
Q: How much can I withdraw from super for my first home deposit in Queensland?
Under the FHSS scheme, you can apply to have a maximum of $15,000 of your personal super contributions from any one financial year released, up to $50,000 in total. For couples purchasing together, this means a combined potential withdrawal of up to $100,000 — a significant contribution toward a deposit, particularly in Brisbane's property market.
Q: Is Boost to Buy still open for applications in 2026?
Boost to Buy is currently in Round 2. South East Queensland allocations are now exhausted, but regional Queensland allocations are still available through the approved lender Unity Bank. Places are released in batches and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so check Unity Bank's website for current availability before making any property decisions based on this scheme.
Q: How much can a first home buyer save in Queensland in 2026?
Based on current Queensland and federal government schemes, a first home buyer purchasing a new home in Queensland before 30 June 2026 may potentially access over $60,000 in grants and concessions depending on their individual eligibility and circumstances. Eligibility criteria apply to each scheme individually and are subject to change by the relevant state or federal government authority. Queensland first home buyers may be eligible for more than one form of government assistance: including the First Home Owner Grant, transfer duty (stamp duty) concessions, the First Home Guarantee, the Boost to Buy shared equity scheme, and the First Home Super Saver Scheme with some entitlements available to claim alongside each other, subject to individual eligibility criteria for each. Grant amounts, concession thresholds, and scheme availability were current at the time of publishing but may have been updated. This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal or financial advice, it is intended as a guide only. You should seek independent advice from a qualified solicitor, or financial adviser to confirm what applies to your specific situation before signing any contract.
Q: When should I contact a conveyancer: before or after I find a property?
Before. Many first home buyers wait until after they have signed a contract to engage a conveyancer, but by then it may be too late to correct issues in the contract or ensure your applications are set up correctly. Contact River City Conveyancing before you sign so we can review your contract, confirm your eligibility, and make sure everything is in order before you are financially committed. Call us on 07 3013 2300 for an initial conversation at no cost.
To get an idea of how much transfer (stamp) duty you may need to pay on your purchase, or to confirm whether a concession reduces your liability to nil, the Queensland Revenue Office provides an official Transfer Duty Estimator on their website. The estimator takes into account your property value, buyer type, and circumstances to provide a guide figure. Please note it is a general estimate only and not a substitute for professional advice. Your River City Conveyancing solicitor will calculate and lodge your exact transfer duty liability as part of your settlement. If you have any questions about stamp duty call us on 07 3013 2300.
Every first home buyer's situation is different, and the grants and concessions available to you will depend on your individual circumstances, the type of property you are purchasing, and the date you sign your contract. For a complete and current overview of all Queensland home ownership grants and transfer duty concessions in one place, the Queensland Revenue Office's Home Grants and Concessions page is the authoritative government source. The information on this page is maintained and updated by the QRO and should always be your reference point for confirming current eligibility requirements. For personalised advice on what applies to your specific purchase, contact the Brisbane conveyancing team at River City Conveyancing Call us on 07 3013 2300.