A Practical Guide to First Home Buyer Government Help in Australia

Buying your first home can feel like a steep climb, especially when you’re trying to make sense of the different government schemes, grants and concessions. The good news is there’s genuine support available, and understanding it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Below we walk through the main Australian Government programs and explain how state-based grants fit into the picture. This is general information only. For personalised advice on your situation, you’ll need to speak with a licensed professional.

What government help is available for first home buyers?

The Australian Government currently offers three key programs, each designed to tackle a different barrier to home ownership:

• Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme – lets you buy with as little as a 5% deposit (or 2% for single parents) and saves you the cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
• First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS) – allows you to make extra voluntary contributions into your super to save for a home, taking advantage of lower tax rates.
• Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme – a shared equity scheme where the government contributes up to 30% or 40% of the purchase price, reducing the size of the loan you need. Applications open 5 December 2025.

On top of these national programs, each state and territory runs its own First Home Owner Grant (FHOG). This is a one-off payment for eligible first home buyers, introduced in 2000 and administered by the state or territory where you buy.

How do you qualify?

Eligibility varies from scheme to scheme and often depends on factors like your income, the property price, whether you’ve owned property before, and if you’re buying as a single parent. Here’s a quick snapshot:

• 5% Deposit Scheme: No income caps, open to first home buyers and single parents; can be used for houses, townhouses or units (existing or new).
• FHSSS: First home buyers can save up to $50,000 plus earnings inside super. You need to meet the general rules around accessing super for a home purchase.
• Help to Buy: Minimum 2% deposit from you, then the government contributes up to 30% (or 40% for a new build). Open to both first and previous homeowners.
• FHOG: Eligibility is set by each state and territory. You’ll need to check the details for the state where you plan to buy.

Because the rules can change and often include specific price caps and property types, the best next step is to look at the official information for the program you’re interested in.

Where to get official information

• For the three national schemes, the central starting point is First Home Buyers.
• For the state-based First Home Owner Grant, see the First Home Owner Grant website and select your state or territory.

How OzLoan can help

At OzLoan we provide independent home-loan research and free calculators so you can model the numbers yourself. Tools like our Stamp Duty & First-Home Grant Calculator can estimate your upfront costs, including any FHOG you might receive. Our guides break down lender policies, rate movements and refinancing strategies in plain English.

While we’re not a lender and don’t give personal financial advice, we may accept service enquiries for Australian loan assistance within the scope of an authorised credit representative. That means if you’re ready to take the next step, you can reach out and we’ll help connect the dots with the information you’ve gathered.

Home ownership is a big goal, but the right support can get you there sooner. Start by understanding what’s available, run your numbers, and then talk to a professional who can guide you based on your own circumstances.