Queensland has become the most aggressive state in Australia for first home buyer support in 2026-27. The Crisafulli Government delivered a 2026-27 Budget that locked zero stamp duty on new builds into permanent law, extended the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant for four more years with $72 million in funding, and expanded the Boost to Buy shared-equity scheme to $330 million. Here is how each scheme works, what you can save, and how to stack them.
$30,000 First Home Owner Grant: Extended to Mid-2030
The QLD FHOG was due to drop to $15,000 on 30 June 2026. Instead, the 2026-27 Budget extended it at the full $30,000 level for four more years — approximately until mid-2030.
What qualifies: Newly built or substantially renovated homes only. Not available for established homes. The combined value of home and land must be under $750,000.
The practical catch: Many new house-and-land packages in Brisbane growth corridors sit above the $750,000 cap. If your build exceeds this, you lose the $30,000 grant entirely. This is where the stamp duty exemption becomes the real workhorse.
Eligibility: 18+, Australian citizen or permanent resident, must occupy as principal place of residence for 12 months, never previously owned residential property anywhere in Australia.
$0 Stamp Duty on New Builds: Permanently Legislated, No Price Cap
From 1 May 2025, QLD first home buyers purchasing a brand-new or substantially renovated home pay zero stamp duty — and there is no property value cap. The 2026-27 Budget locked this into permanent law. On a $1,000,000 new build, the saving is approximately $30,850 at the owner-occupier concession rate. More than 3,500 Queenslanders have saved a combined $66 million since May 2025, with annual relief budgeted at more than $60 million.
The same zero-duty treatment applies to vacant land purchases for first home buyers building a home, again with no value cap.
For established homes: Full stamp duty exemption under $700,000, sliding scale concession between $700,000 and $800,000. Over $800,000, no concession applies and full duty is payable.
Important change: From 1 August 2026, temporary residents generally lose eligibility for the home, first home, and vacant land transfer duty concessions. They will pay standard investor rates. Retirement visa holders (subclasses 405 and 410) who are exempt from the Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty remain exempt.
Boost to Buy: QLD's Shared-Equity Scheme
Boost to Buy is the state's shared-equity offering, expanded to $330 million in the 2026-27 Budget. The QLD Government contributes a portion of the purchase price in exchange for an equivalent equity share — up to 30% on new homes, 25% on existing homes. There is no interest on the government's share.
Key numbers:
- Property price cap: $1,000,000
- Minimum deposit: 2% (your deposit plus government equity must total at least 20%)
- Income cap (single): $150,000
- Income cap (couple or single with dependants): $225,000
- Scale: Supporting up to 2,000 buyers over three years
- Approved lender: Unity Bank
Availability as of June 2026: Southeast Queensland places are fully allocated with no new places available. Regional Queensland places remain open. More than 100 Queenslanders have moved into their first home through the scheme, with hundreds more at pre-approval or searching stages. You buy back the government's share when selling or refinancing.
Federal Schemes You Can Stack
First Home Guarantee (FHG): No place cap since October 2025, no income caps, 5% minimum deposit, zero LMI. Brisbane and regional QLD centres price cap: $700,000. Regional QLD: $550,000.
Help to Buy: Government co-purchases up to 40%. 2% minimum deposit. 2026-27 income thresholds: $103,000 single, $165,000 joint. Expected price caps in QLD around $1,000,000 under Budget expansion.
First Home Super Saver Scheme: Withdraw up to $50,000 in voluntary super contributions for a deposit.
Stacking Example: $750K New Build in Brisbane
A QLD first home buyer building a new home worth $750,000 (house and land) could receive:
- FHOG: $30,000
- Stamp duty: $0 (zero duty on new builds, permanently legislated)
- Boost to Buy (if eligible and regional place available): Government contributes up to 30% = $225,000
- First Home Guarantee: 5% deposit ($37,500) with no LMI
Total government support: $30,000 cash grant + approximately $20,290 stamp duty saving + optional shared equity. If stacking FHG instead of Boost to Buy, your required deposit drops from a standard 20% ($150,000) to just $37,500, with no mortgage insurance.
QLD Foreign Buyer Surcharges
QLD imposes an 8% Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty on residential property — one of the higher rates among states. A foreign buyer purchasing a $600,000 property would pay approximately $67,400 total in standard duty plus AFAD. Foreign companies and trusts of foreign trusts also face a 3% land tax surcharge in addition to ordinary land tax.
However, from 15 December 2025, a relief pathway (GEN012.1) exists for residential developers undertaking projects of 20 or more lots. Pre-approval is available, and qualifying developers may be exempt from both AFAD and the land tax surcharge while active development is underway.
Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Housing Supply
The Olympics add a significant dimension to QLD's housing market. The total venues program is valued at $7.1 billion, with construction ramping up from late 2026 through mid-2031. Key projects include the $3.8 billion Victoria Park Stadium (63,000 seats, earthworks starting mid-2026), the Athletes' Village at Bowen Hills (~2,000 units across 6 towers of 25-30 levels, becoming build-to-rent post-Games), and the Cross River Rail permanently reshaping inner-city connectivity.
Construction cost rises of 44% over five years to 2026 and projected quarterly construction activity of up to $25 billion by 2030 mean intense competition for trades and materials. First home buyers building in the next 24 months face a window of opportunity before the Olympics build fully ramps up.
FAQ
Can I use FHOG and zero stamp duty together? Yes. The $30,000 FHOG and zero duty on new builds are separate benefits and stack completely. On a qualifying new build, you get both.
What if my house-and-land package costs more than $750K? You lose the $30,000 FHOG (it has a hard $750,000 cap on combined value). But you still get $0 stamp duty — the new-build exemption has no price cap, so even a $1.1 million new build pays zero transfer duty.
Is Southeast QLD Boost to Buy really full? As of June 2026, yes. Only regional QLD places are available. Check with Unity Bank for current status. You can still fall back on the federal Help to Buy scheme.
Do I need to be an Australian citizen? For the state FHOG and stamp duty exemptions, permanent residents qualify alongside citizens. Federal schemes (FHG, Help to Buy) require citizenship. From 1 August 2026, temporary residents lose access to QLD transfer duty concessions entirely.
Does the Olympics help or hurt first home buyers? Both. Infrastructure investment improves long-term amenity and connectivity, but near-term construction cost inflation from Olympics-related demand may increase build costs. Building before late 2026 when Olympics construction fully ramps up may be the strategic play.