Last updated: April 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 | 30 June 2026 |
| SA | $15,000 | No cap | Yes | Ongoing |
| WA | $10,000 | $750,000 | Yes | Ongoing |
| TAS | $30,000 | No cap | Yes | 30 June 2026 |
| ACT | None | N/A | N/A | Uses HBCS instead |
| NT | $50,000 new / $10,000 est. | No cap | No (est. eligible) | 30 Sep 2027 |
Note: NSW has a higher cap of $750,000 for house-and-land packages. NT's $50,000 HomeGrown Territory Grant applies to new build contracts entered before 30 September 2027. The separate $10,000 FHOG applies to established homes in the NT.
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 | $500,000 | $700k-$750k | New + established |
| TAS | $750,000 | N/A | New + est. (until June 2026) |
| ACT | $1,020,000 | N/A | All types |
| NT | Discount up to $18,601 | N/A | All types |
Stamp duty savings are significant. On a $700,000 property, the exemption in NSW saves over $27,000. 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 | $600,000 | N/A |
Some regional centres (Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast) use the capital city cap rather than the rest-of-state cap.
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 | No | N/A | N/A |
| ACT | Yes | $1,000,000 | N/A |
| NT | Yes | $600,000 | $600,000 |
Tasmania is the only state where Help to Buy is not yet available. Enabling legislation was introduced in March 2026 but has not been enacted. Income caps apply nationally: $100,000 for singles, $160,000 for couples. 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 and unlimited stamp duty exemption on new homes. But the $30,000 grant expires 30 June 2026 (reverts to $15,000). Act quickly if building new in QLD.
- Northern Territory: highest grants in the country. $50,000 for new builds plus $10,000 for established homes. No property value cap on grants. The HomeGrown grant expires 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: $30,000 FHOG with no property cap, plus a stamp duty exemption (until June 2026). However, Help to Buy is not yet available here.
- ACT: no FHOG, but the Home Buyer Concession Scheme offers stamp duty exemption up to $1,020,000, which is the highest threshold 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: $30,000 FHOG drops to $15,000 after 30 June 2026. If you are building new in Queensland, completing your contract before this date saves you $15,000.
- TAS: the first home buyer stamp duty exemption (up to $750,000) expires 30 June 2026. After this date, standard stamp duty rates may apply.
- NT: the $50,000 HomeGrown Territory Grant applies to contracts entered before 30 September 2027. The separate $10,000 established home FHOG is ongoing.
Explore Your State
For detailed stamp duty calculations and scheme breakdowns specific to your state, see our state calculators:
See which schemes you qualify for
Answer a few questions and get a personalised strategy showing every scheme you can stack, how much you could save, and what to do first.
Start the free calculator2 minutes. No sign-up required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which state has the most generous first home buyer schemes?
The Northern Territory offers the highest combined grants: $50,000 for new builds (HomeGrown Territory Grant) plus a $10,000 grant for established homes. Queensland is also generous with a $30,000 FHOG and unlimited stamp duty exemption on new homes, though the $30,000 amount expires 30 June 2026.
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. Queensland's $30,000 FHOG reverts to $15,000 after 30 June 2026. Tasmania's stamp duty exemption for first home buyers expires 30 June 2026. The NT HomeGrown Territory Grant ($50,000 for new builds) expires 30 September 2027. 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.