First Home Buyer's Guide
A plain-English rundown of the grants, concessions and schemes available to first home buyers in NSW.
Grant amounts, price caps and eligibility rules change often and depend on your personal circumstances, so this page links straight to the official government source for each scheme rather than quoting figures that can go out of date. This isn't financial advice. I'll confirm exactly what you qualify for when we talk.
Grants & Schemes at a Glance
First Home Owner Grant & Stamp Duty Concessions (NSW)
A one-off payment for eligible buyers of a brand-new home, plus a full or partial stamp duty exemption on new and established homes. Both are administered by Revenue NSW, and both come with price caps that change from time to time.
See current amounts on Revenue NSWAustralian Government 5% Deposit Scheme
Formerly known as the First Home Guarantee. Lets eligible buyers purchase with a deposit as low as 5%, without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance, with the government guaranteeing the shortfall. Property price caps apply and vary by location.
See eligibility on firsthomebuyers.gov.auFirst Home Super Saver Scheme
Lets you make voluntary contributions into your super, taxed at the lower super rate, then withdraw them later to help fund your deposit. Administered by the ATO, worth understanding early even if your purchase is a year or two away.
See details on the ATO websiteDo the Grants Stack?
Often, yes. It's common for an eligible buyer to combine the First Home Owner Grant with a stamp duty exemption, and use the 5% Deposit Scheme to avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance on a low deposit. Each scheme has its own eligibility rules though, so qualifying for one doesn't guarantee you qualify for another. This is exactly the kind of thing worth checking properly rather than assuming.
A Simple First Home Buying Path
- 1Get a clear picture of your borrowing power and set a realistic budget before you start inspecting properties.
- 2Check which grants, exemptions and schemes you're likely eligible for, and how they interact.
- 3Get pre-approval so you can move quickly and confidently when you find the right place.
- 4Line up your deposit, savings, gifted funds or FHSS withdrawal, and any grant timing.
- 5Have your solicitor or conveyancer review the contract before you sign.
- 6Finalise your loan, exchange contracts, and settle.
What You'll Likely Need
- Photo ID and proof of address
- Recent payslips, or two years of tax returns if self-employed
- Bank statements showing savings history and everyday spending
- Details of any existing debts (car loans, credit cards, buy-now-pay-later)
Not Sure What You Qualify For?
I'll check your eligibility against every scheme available and map out the numbers with you.
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