Last updated: July 2026
First Home Buyer Schemes by State: Compare All States
Every Australian state and territory has different grants, stamp duty rules, and property price caps. The difference between states can be tens of thousands of dollars. Here is how they all compare so you can see exactly what is available where you want to buy.
First Home Owner Grants Comparison
| State | FHOG Amount | Property Cap | New Build Only? | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | $10,000 | $600,000 | Yes | Ongoing |
| VIC | $10,000 | $750,000 | Yes | Ongoing |
| QLD | $30,000 | $750,000 | Yes | Ongoing |
| SA | $15,000 | No cap | Yes | Ongoing |
| WA | $10,000 | $800,000 | Yes | Ongoing |
| TAS | $20,000 | No cap | Yes | $20k until 30 Jun 2027 |
| ACT | None | N/A | N/A | Uses HBCS instead |
| NT | $50,000 new only | No cap | Yes | 30 Sep 2027 |
Note: NSW has a higher cap of $750,000 for house-and-land packages. WA's $800,000 cap applies south of the 26th parallel; the cap is $1,000,000 north of it. NT's $50,000 HomeGrown Territory Grant applies to new build contracts entered before 30 September 2027 and has no property value cap. The separate $10,000 grant for established homes in the NT ceased for contracts signed after 30 September 2025 and is no longer available.
Stamp Duty Exemption Thresholds
| State | Full Exemption | Concession Ceiling | Applies To |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | $800,000 | $1,000,000 | New + established |
| VIC | $600,000 | $750,000 | New + established |
| QLD | Unlimited | Unlimited | New homes |
| SA | Unlimited | N/A | New only |
| WA | $600,000 | $800,000 | New + established |
| TAS | None | N/A | Exemption for established homes lapsed 30 Jun 2026 |
| ACT | Unlimited | N/A | All types (no cap or income test from 1 Jul 2026) |
| NT | None | N/A | No FHB stamp duty concession (ended 2021) |
Stamp duty savings are significant. On a $700,000 property, the exemption in NSW saves over $25,000. Use our state-specific stamp duty calculators for exact figures.
FHBG Property Price Caps
The First Home Guarantee has property price caps that vary by state and region. These were updated in October 2025:
| State | Capital City | Rest of State |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | $1,500,000 | $800,000 |
| VIC | $950,000 | $650,000 |
| QLD | $1,000,000 | $700,000 |
| SA | $900,000 | $500,000 |
| WA | $850,000 | $600,000 |
| TAS | $700,000 | $550,000 |
| ACT | $1,000,000 | N/A |
| NT | $750,000 (Darwin) | $600,000 |
Some regional centres use the capital city cap rather than the rest-of-state cap: in NSW, Central Coast, Illawarra, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Coffs Harbour–Grafton, Mid North Coast, and Richmond-Tweed; in VIC, Geelong; and in QLD, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. The NT's $750,000 cap applies to Darwin only – the rest of the Territory uses the $600,000 cap, a split introduced from 1 July 2026.
Help to Buy Availability
| State | Available? | Capital City Cap | Rest of State Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Yes | $1,300,000 | $800,000 |
| VIC | Yes | $950,000 | $650,000 |
| QLD | Yes | $1,000,000 | $700,000 |
| SA | Yes | $900,000 | $500,000 |
| WA | Yes | $850,000 | $600,000 |
| TAS | Yes | $700,000 | $550,000 |
| ACT | Yes | $1,000,000 | N/A |
| NT | Yes | $600,000 | $600,000 |
Help to Buy is now available in all 8 states and territories – Tasmania was the last to join, on 9 June 2026. Income caps apply nationally: $103,000 for singles, $165,000 for joint applicants and single parents (raised from $100,000/$160,000 on 1 July 2026). Australian citizens only.
Best States for First Home Buyers
While "best" depends on your personal situation, here is how each state stacks up on raw government assistance:
- Queensland: the most generous combination right now, with a $30,000 FHOG (extended a further four years in the 2026-27 Budget, no expiry) and an unlimited stamp duty exemption on new homes.
- Northern Territory: the largest single grant in the country. $50,000 for new builds, no property value cap. (The separate $10,000 established-home grant ceased for contracts signed after 30 September 2025.) The HomeGrown grant runs until 30 September 2027.
- South Australia: $15,000 FHOG with no property value cap, plus unlimited stamp duty exemption on new builds. A solid, stable offering with no expiry dates.
- Tasmania: $20,000 FHOG (stepped down from $30,000 on 1 July 2026) with no property cap. The former stamp duty exemption for established homes lapsed on 30 June 2026 and was not extended, so standard duty now applies. Help to Buy is now available here.
- ACT: no FHOG, but the Home Buyer Concession Scheme now offers a full stamp duty exemption at any price with no income test, since 1 July 2026 — the most generous stamp duty concession in the country.
Expiring Schemes to Watch
Several state schemes have upcoming deadlines. If you are planning a purchase in these states, factor these dates into your timeline:
- QLD: from 1 August 2026, buyers claiming the home, first home, or first home vacant land duty concessions must be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or specified foreign retirees. The $30,000 FHOG itself has no expiry date — it was extended a further four years in the 2026-27 Budget.
- TAS: the first home buyer stamp duty exemption for established homes (up to $750,000) lapsed on 30 June 2026 and was not extended. Standard stamp duty now applies to first home buyers of established homes in Tasmania.
- NT: the $50,000 HomeGrown Territory Grant applies to contracts entered before 30 September 2027. The separate $10,000 established-home grant ceased for contracts signed after 30 September 2025 and is no longer available.
Explore Your State
For detailed stamp duty calculations and scheme breakdowns specific to your state, see our state calculators:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which state has the most generous first home buyer schemes?
The Northern Territory offers the highest single grant: $50,000 for new builds (HomeGrown Territory Grant), with no property value cap. Queensland is also very generous, with a $30,000 FHOG (extended a further four years in the 2026-27 Queensland Budget) and an unlimited stamp duty exemption on new homes.
Do I have to buy in my home state to get the grant?
You must buy in the state where you are applying for the grant, and in most states you must live in the property as your principal place of residence. You do not need to currently live in that state, but you need to move in within 12 months of settlement (timeframes vary by state).
Can I use federal and state schemes together?
Yes. Federal schemes (FHBG, Help to Buy, FHSS) and state schemes (FHOG, stamp duty concessions) stack together, with one exception: FHBG and Help to Buy cannot be combined. Everything else can be used alongside each other.
Are any state schemes expiring soon?
Yes. Tasmania's stamp duty exemption for first home buyers of established homes lapsed on 30 June 2026 and was not extended, so standard duty now applies there. Tasmania's FHOG also stepped down from $30,000 to $20,000 from 1 July 2026. The NT HomeGrown Territory Grant ($50,000 for new builds) runs until 30 September 2027. Queensland's $30,000 FHOG is not expiring — it was extended a further four years in the 2026-27 Budget. Check the latest dates before making decisions.
Sources: Revenue NSW | SRO Victoria | QLD Government | RevenueSA | WA Government | SRO Tasmania | NT Government | Housing Australia
Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Calculations are estimates only and may not reflect your exact circumstances. Eligibility criteria and dollar amounts may change without notice. Always verify with the relevant government authority, your mortgage broker, or a licensed financial adviser before making decisions.