Last updated: July 2026
First Home Buyer Schemes for Permanent Residents in Australia 2026
As a permanent resident, you can access almost every Australian first home buyer scheme. The FHSS, First Home Guarantee, state grants, and stamp duty concessions are all available to PRs. The only scheme restricted to Australian citizens is Help to Buy. That still leaves you with a strong set of benefits that can save you tens of thousands of dollars on your first home purchase.
Schemes Available to Permanent Residents
| Scheme | Citizens | Permanent Residents |
|---|---|---|
| FHSS | Yes | Yes |
| First Home Guarantee (FHBG) | Yes | Yes |
| Help to Buy | Yes | No |
| First Home Owner Grant (most states) | Yes | Yes |
| Stamp duty concessions | Yes | Yes |
Why Help to Buy Excludes Permanent Residents
The Help to Buy legislation requires Australian citizenship. This is a deliberate policy choice in the enabling Act and is not expected to change in the near term. The government has not announced any plans to extend Help to Buy to permanent residents.
However, the FHBG offers a strong alternative. Since October 2025, the FHBG has no income cap and no annual places limit. While it does not reduce your mortgage like Help to Buy does, it lets you buy with just 5% deposit, avoid LMI, and retain 100% ownership of your property.
Compare the FHBG and Help to Buy side by side
Your Best Strategy as a Permanent Resident
Even without Help to Buy, you can stack several schemes to significantly reduce your purchase costs:
Use the FHSS to build your deposit with a tax advantage
Contribute up to $15,000 per year ($50,000 total) into super via salary sacrifice. Your contributions are taxed at 15% instead of your marginal rate, saving you thousands.
Apply for the FHBG to buy with 5% deposit
No income cap, no places limit. The government guarantees up to 15% of the property value, letting you avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance entirely.
Claim the FHOG if buying new
Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on your state. Available to permanent residents in most states for new homes.
Get your stamp duty concession
First home buyer exemptions and concessions apply to permanent residents. Your lender or conveyancer will typically facilitate this.
State-Specific PR Eligibility
Most states require applicants to be an "Australian citizen or permanent resident" for FHOG and stamp duty concessions. However, the fine print can vary:
- QLD stamp duty residency test (from 1 August 2026): Queensland now requires buyers to be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or a specified foreign retiree to claim the home concession, first home concession, or first home vacant land concession. As a permanent resident, you remain eligible under this new test — it is designed to exclude other temporary visa holders, not PRs.
- NZ citizens on Special Category Visas: May have different rules depending on the state. Some states treat SCV holders the same as permanent residents for FHOG purposes, while others do not. Check with your state revenue office.
- Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB): Permanent residents are generally exempt from FIRB approval to purchase established homes. Temporary residents need FIRB approval and are typically restricted to new builds.
- Surcharge purchaser duty: Some states (notably NSW and VIC) impose a surcharge on foreign buyers. Permanent residents are generally exempt from this surcharge, but check your state's rules to confirm.
Becoming a Citizen Before Buying
If you are close to citizenship eligibility, it may be worth waiting. Becoming a citizen before buying opens up Help to Buy, which can significantly reduce your mortgage:
As a Permanent Resident
FHSS + FHBG + FHOG + stamp duty concession. You own 100% of the property, pay a standard mortgage on the full purchase price minus your deposit.
As a Citizen (income under $103k/$165k)
All of the above, plus Help to Buy. Government buys 30-40% equity, meaning your mortgage could be 30-40% lower. Monthly repayments drop significantly.
The general citizenship eligibility requirement is 4 years of lawful residence including 12 months as a permanent resident. Processing times vary. If you are already close, the financial benefit of waiting could be substantial.
Worked Example for a Permanent Resident
A permanent resident earning $85,000 buying a $650,000 established home in Victoria:
| Scheme | Benefit |
|---|---|
| FHSS (3 years at $15k/year) | $45,000 contributed, ~$7,650 tax benefit |
| FHBG (5% deposit on $650k) | Deposit: $32,500. LMI saved: ~$9,750 |
| VIC stamp duty | Concession applies ($650k is above the $600k exemption threshold but below the $750k concession ceiling) |
| VIC FHOG | Not available (established home in VIC) |
| Help to Buy | Not available (PR, not citizen) |
Even without Help to Buy, this permanent resident saves over $17,000 through the FHSS tax benefit and LMI avoidance alone, plus receives a meaningful stamp duty concession. The FHSS also provides the bulk of their deposit.
See which schemes you qualify for
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can permanent residents get the First Home Owner Grant?
Yes. In most states, the FHOG is available to both Australian citizens and permanent residents. Check your specific state's requirements, as eligibility criteria can vary for visa subclasses.
Is Help to Buy expected to open to permanent residents?
As of July 2026, there is no indication that the Help to Buy eligibility will be expanded to include permanent residents. The legislation specifically requires Australian citizenship. This may change in the future, but there are no current proposals to amend this requirement.
Can I use the FHSS if I am on a temporary visa?
The FHSS is available to anyone with an Australian super fund. If you have a super account and are making contributions, you can use the FHSS regardless of your visa status. However, you must use the released funds to purchase a home in Australia to live in as your principal residence.
Should I wait until I become a citizen before buying?
It depends on your timeline and financial situation. Becoming a citizen opens up Help to Buy, which can significantly reduce your mortgage if your income is under $103,000 (single) or $165,000 (couple). If you are close to citizenship eligibility and the property market is not time-sensitive, waiting may be worthwhile. Use our calculator to compare what you can access now versus as a citizen.
Sources:
Housing Australia: First Home Guarantee | Housing Australia: Help to Buy | ATO: First Home Super Saver Scheme | VIC SRO: First Home Owner
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.