Government Grants for First Home Buyers QLD | Why Thousands Are Rushing to Apply This Week.

Government Grants for First Home Buyers QLD

Government grants for first home buyers in QLD have never been more generous – but some of the most valuable support available right now comes with a hard expiry date.

If 30 June 2026 passes without you having signed a contract, you’ll miss the boosted $30,000 First Home Owner Grant and pay twice as much for the same benefit.

Here’s a clear breakdown of every scheme currently available, what you need to qualify, and how to make sure you don’t leave money on the table.

Quick Introduction:

• The Queensland First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) offers up to $30,000 for eligible buyers of new homes – for contracts signed before 30 June 2026 only.
• From 1 May 2025, zero stamp duty applies to new homes and vacant land for first home buyers, with no price cap.
• Established homes attract a full stamp duty exemption up to $700,000, with a partial concession up to $800,000.
• The federal First Home Guarantee allows eligible buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance.
• Queensland’s Boost to Buy shared equity scheme lets eligible buyers purchase with as little as a 2% deposit, with the government contributing up to 30% of the purchase price.
• Multiple schemes can be stacked together, significantly reducing what you need upfront.

The First Home Owner Grant – $30,000 Until 30 June 2026

The First Home Owner Grant is a one-off, tax-free payment from the Queensland Government for eligible first home buyers purchasing a newly built home, off-the-plan property, or substantially renovated dwelling. It is administered under the First Home Owner Grant Act 2000 (QLD).

The grant is $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026, and $15,000 for contracts signed before 20 November 2023. After 30 June 2026, it reverts to $15,000.

To qualify, you need to:

• Be at least 18 years old and an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• Be purchasing or building a new home valued under $750,000 (including land)
• Have never owned residential property in Australia that you lived in on or after 1 July 2000
• Move into the home within 12 months of settlement and live there continuously for at least six months

The grant is typically paid at settlement through your lender. You can also apply directly through the Queensland Revenue Office (QRO), though lender applications tend to move faster.

Stamp Duty Concessions – Zero Duty on New Builds

Transfer duty has historically been one of the highest upfront costs for Queensland property buyers. That has changed significantly for first-home buyers.

Eligible first home buyers purchasing or building a new home in Queensland can receive a full stamp duty concession from 1 May 2025. There is no property value cap attached – the exemption applies regardless of the purchase price.

For established homes, the first home concession provides a full transfer duty exemption on properties valued up to $700,000, with a partial concession phasing out to $800,000. Above $800,000, the standard home concession may still apply.

Combined with the $30,000 FHOG, a first-home buyer purchasing a new build could save well over $50,000 compared to what standard buyers pay.

Who is eligible for zero stamp duty on new builds in Queensland?

You may be eligible if you:

• Are a first home buyer
• Are buying or building a new home in Queensland
• Plan to live in the property as your main residence
• Are purchasing as an individual (not a company or trust)
• Meet the Queensland Government first home buyer rules
• Sign the contract or eligible transaction date from 1 May 2025 onwards

The First Home Guarantee – Buy With 5% Down

The First Home Guarantee is a federal scheme administered by Housing Australia. Eligible first home buyers in Queensland can purchase with a 5% deposit and avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Instead, the Australian Government guarantees up to 15% of the property’s value via Housing Australia.

Property price caps are $1,000,000 in South East Queensland and $700,000 in regional Queensland. Income caps also apply: $125,000 per year for singles and $200,000 for couples.

This scheme is separate from the FHOG and stamp duty concessions, so eligible buyers can use both.

Queensland’s Shared Equity Scheme

The Boost to Buy shared equity scheme offers the Queensland Government contributing up to 30% of a new home purchase price, or 25% for an existing home, with buyers needing only a 2% deposit on properties up to $1,000,000.

Income caps for Boost to Buy are among the most generous in Australia: singles up to $150,000 per year and couples or singles with dependants up to $225,000.

The scheme is administered through approved lenders only – you can’t apply directly through the Queensland Government. Your mortgage broker or bank will manage the application.

Boost to Buy, the First Home Guarantee, and the FHOG can all be used together where eligibility allows. Getting the combination right is worth discussing with your buyer’s solicitor before you sign anything.

How Your Conveyancer Helps You Claim These Grants

First home buyer grants don’t apply automatically. They need to be correctly documented, applied for, and coordinated with your settlement. A conveyancer or a solicitor in Cairns will:

• Confirm your eligibility for the FHOG and relevant stamp duty concessions before you exchange contracts.
• Ensure your contract is structured in a way that meets grant requirements.
• Lodge transfer duty concession applications on your behalf through the QRO.
• Handle the property title transfer so your name is recorded correctly on the title from day one.
• Liaise with the vendor’s seller’s conveyancer to keep the settlement running on schedule.

Getting the paperwork right matters. Missing documentation or an incorrectly structured contract may delay your grant approval or affect eligibility if not completed correctly.

Don’t Wait on the $30,000 Grant

The $30,000 FHOG is the most generous it has ever been, and it won’t stay that way beyond June 2026. Combined with zero stamp duty on new builds and access to federal and state deposit schemes, Queensland first-home buyers are currently in one of the strongest support environments the state has offered.

The team at Cairns Conveyancing Solicitors works with first-home buyers every week. Whether you need a buyer’s conveyancer to guide you through the grant process or conveyancing for sellers when you eventually move on, we’re here for every step of your property journey.

Contact our team today on 4052 0780 or get a quote online – and let’s make sure you’re set up to claim everything you’re entitled to.

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance tailored to your specific circumstances, please consult a qualified legal representative.