What are the first home buyer schemes?
Government programs that let you buy with a smaller deposit, a government co-owner, or help saving through super.
Each has its own limits, and the lender or agency decides, not this page.
The rule
- 5% Deposit Scheme (formerly the Home Guarantee Scheme): a minimum 5% deposit for first home buyers, or 2% for single parents or legal guardians. Since 1 October 2025 there are no income caps, no waiting lists and no LMI. You apply through a participating lender, not Housing Australia.
- The 5% Deposit Scheme price caps, for the capital city and regional centres then other areas: NSW $1,500,000 and $800,000. Victoria $950,000 and $650,000. Queensland $1,000,000 and $700,000. WA $850,000 and $600,000. SA $900,000 and $500,000. Tasmania $700,000 and $550,000. ACT $1,000,000 everywhere. NT $750,000 for the capital city and $600,000 for the rest.
- Both the purchase price and the home's value, as assessed by the lender, must be at or under the cap. The lender decides.
- Help to Buy: a minimum 2% deposit, with the Government putting in up to 30% of the price of an existing home or 40% of a new one. 10,000 places a year. You must be at least 18, an Australian citizen, live in the home, and own no property here or overseas.
- Help to Buy income limits, as shown on the notice of assessment for the previous financial year: $103,000 taxable income for an individual, $165,000 for single parents and joint applicants. These are wage indexed each year.
- Help to Buy example: an $800,000 home with a $16,000 deposit, a $544,000 loan (68% of the price) and $240,000 from the Government (30%).
- First Home Super Saver: save up to $50,000 plus earnings towards a first home through voluntary super contributions. It can be used with other government home buying schemes.
- State grants and stamp duty concessions are separate programs run by each state. Help to Buy users can still benefit from stamp duty concessions, grants and other exemptions.
What people ask
How does the government 5% deposit scheme work?
The Government guarantees part of your loan to the lender, so you can buy with a deposit of 5%, or 2% for a single parent or legal guardian, and there is no LMI. You apply through a participating lender, the home must be at or under the price cap for the area, and you have 90 days after pre-approval to sign a contract. The lender decides.
What is the difference between the 5% Deposit Scheme and the Home Guarantee Scheme?
They are the same scheme. The Home Guarantee Scheme is its former name. From 1 October 2025 it dropped the income caps and waiting lists.
How does Help to Buy work?
You save a deposit of at least 2% and take a loan from a participating lender. The Government pays up to 30% of an existing home or 40% of a new one and shares any gain or loss when you sell. In the published example, an $800,000 home had a $16,000 deposit, a $544,000 loan and $240,000 from the Government.
What is the first home buyers grant?
That is the First Home Owner Grant, paid by each state. We have not checked every state's grant yet, so there is no figure here. The ACT stopped paying it on 1 July 2019.
Can I use the First Home Super Saver Scheme with the 5% Deposit Scheme?
The scheme's own page says it can be used with other government home buying schemes. You can save up to $50,000 plus earnings through voluntary super contributions.