Last updated: July 2026. Reviewed by the Soren Financial broker team.
Between the First Home Owner Grant and stamp duty concessions, a first home buyer can be tens of thousands of dollars better off, but the rules differ in every state and several just changed on 1 July 2026. This guide lays out what is on offer where, so you know exactly what to claim.
This is the deep-dive on grants and stamp duty. For the full first home buyer picture, start with our first home buyer guide.
The two big savings: grant vs stamp duty
There are two separate things worth getting straight:
- The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a one-off cash payment from your state, almost always for new builds or newly built homes only.
- Stamp duty concessions waive or reduce the transfer duty you would normally pay, and these often apply to existing homes too, up to a price threshold.
You can usually claim both if you qualify, and neither is the same as the federal 5% deposit scheme. More on how they stack below.
First Home Owner Grant by state (2026)
| State / territory | FHOG amount | Key conditions |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | $10,000 | New homes up to $600,000, or land + build up to $750,000 |
| Victoria | $10,000 | New homes valued up to $750,000 |
| Queensland | $15,000 | New homes; the $30,000 boost ended for contracts after 30 June 2026 |
| Western Australia | $10,000 metro / $20,000 regional | New homes; value caps apply and vary by region |
| South Australia | $15,000 | New homes only, no property price cap |
| Tasmania | $20,000 | New homes; reduced from $30,000 on 1 July 2026 |
| Australian Capital Territory | No cash grant | Help comes via stamp duty instead (below) |
| Northern Territory | $50,000 | New builds (HomeGrown Territory Grant) |
FHOG amounts, caps and end dates are set by each state and change often, sometimes at short notice in a budget. Confirm the current figure with your state revenue office or your broker before you rely on it.
First home buyer stamp duty concessions by state (2026)
Stamp duty is usually the biggest upfront cost after your deposit, and it is where the largest savings sit. Several states changed on 1 July 2026:
| State / territory | First home buyer stamp duty relief (2026) |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | Full exemption on homes up to $800,000, concessions tapering to $1,000,000 |
| Victoria | Full exemption up to $600,000, concessions up to $750,000 |
| Queensland | New homes: full exemption, no price cap. Existing homes: concession under $800,000 |
| Western Australia | Full exemption up to $500,000 (metro), concessions above; different thresholds regionally |
| South Australia | Full exemption on eligible new homes, no price cap; no relief for established homes |
| Australian Capital Territory | Stamp duty abolished for all first home buyers from 1 July 2026, no price or income limit |
| Tasmania | The established-home duty relief ended 30 June 2026; standard rates now apply |
| Northern Territory | No first-home stamp duty exemption (the NT offers the $50,000 grant instead) |
Thresholds and eligibility are set by each state and territory and change regularly. These are a guide only; we will calculate your exact duty for the property and state you are buying in.
What changed on 1 July 2026
If you read this earlier in the year, a few things moved:
- Queensland’s first home owner grant dropped from $30,000 back to $15,000 for contracts signed from 1 July.
- Tasmania’s grant fell from $30,000 to $20,000, and its stamp duty relief on established homes finished on 30 June.
- The ACT went the other way and abolished stamp duty entirely for first home buyers, with no price or income limit.
Timing your contract date around these dates can be worth thousands, which is exactly the kind of thing worth a quick chat before you sign.
Grants and stamp duty rules change more often than people realise, and a contract signed a week either side of a cut-off date can cost or save thousands. Before you commit, it is worth ten minutes to confirm exactly what your state is offering right now.
Mansour Soltani, Soren Financial
How grants stack with the deposit schemes
The grants and stamp duty concessions above sit on top of the federal help:
- The First Home Guarantee (5% deposit scheme) lets you buy with a 5% deposit and no LMI, and you can still claim your state grant and stamp duty concession alongside it.
- The First Home Super Saver Scheme lets you save a deposit through super with a tax advantage.
- Buying new to grab the grant means a bigger stamp duty saving in most states too, so the two often work together.
Used well, a first home buyer can combine a low deposit, a waived LMI premium, a cash grant and a stamp duty exemption in the one purchase.
Why use a Soren Financial broker?
We keep across these rules as they change and make sure you claim everything you are entitled to, then match you to a lender whose loan and timing fit your grant and concession. It costs you nothing, and it is the difference between leaving money on the table and not.
Related first home buyer guides
- First Home Buyer Guide (2026) – the complete guide to deposits, loans, costs and schemes.
- First Home Guarantee (5% deposit scheme) – buy with 5% and no LMI.
- Family Home Guarantee – single parents can buy with a 2% deposit.
- How to avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance.
FAQs
Can I get both the grant and a stamp duty concession?
Usually yes. They are separate programs, so if you qualify for each you can claim both on the same purchase.
Is the First Home Owner Grant only for new homes?
In every state, the FHOG is effectively limited to new builds or newly constructed homes. Stamp duty concessions are what usually help with existing homes.
How much stamp duty will I actually pay?
It depends on your state, the price and whether the home is new or existing. We will run the exact figure for your scenario.
Do grants affect the 5% deposit scheme?
No. You can use the federal First Home Guarantee and still claim your state grant and stamp duty concession.
I am buying an existing home. What can I claim?
Generally not the FHOG, but you may still get a stamp duty concession depending on your state and the price, plus the 5% deposit scheme.
Information is general only and does not take your circumstances into account. Grant amounts, stamp duty thresholds and eligibility are set by each state and territory and change regularly. Always confirm the current rules for your state before you buy.