Queensland First Home Buyer Grants & Concessions 2024

First Home Buyer Incentives in Queensland

Buying a first home in Queensland has shifted from a standard transaction to a strategic financial maneuver. You know how difficult it is to keep up with constantly changing thresholds, expiration dates, and eligibility criteria? That confusion often leads buyers to leave money on the table simply because they missed a minor detail in the fine print.

Our team sees this happen frequently. We want to ensure you claim every dollar you are entitled to under the current 2026 regulations.

This guide breaks down the specific numbers and strategies you need to know right now.

Queensland first home buyer grants

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

What is the FHOG?

The First Home Owner Grant is a direct payment from the Queensland Government designed to assist in the purchase or construction of a new residence. It is not a loan. You do not have to pay this money back if you meet all residency requirements.

Current Grant Amount

$15,000 for eligible new homes.
Note: A temporary boost to $30,000 was available for contracts signed between November 2023 and June 30, 2025. Unless the state government announces a new extension, the standard grant reverts to $15,000 for the 2025-26 financial year.

Eligibility Requirements

Property requirements:

Value Cap: The total value of the home (house and land) must be less than $750,000.
Condition: It must be a “new” home. This means it has never been lived in or sold as a place of residence before.
Renovations: A substantially renovated home may qualify if the renovations essentially create a new building.

Personal requirements:

You must be at least 18 years of age.
You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or applying with someone who is).
Neither you nor your spouse can have previously owned residential property in Australia.
Residency Rule: You must move into the home within 12 months of completion and live there for a continuous period of 6 months.

What Counts as a “New Home”?

Clarifying this definition prevents costly application errors.

A house being built specifically for you.
An off-the-plan apartment or townhouse.
A newly constructed spec home that has not been occupied.

Not eligible:

Established homes (resale properties).
Properties that have been used for short-term accommodation (like Airbnb) by a previous owner.

How to Apply

Most buyers submit their application through an approved agent, which is usually their lender or mortgage broker. We handle this paperwork directly for our clients to ensure no boxes are left unchecked.

The Queensland Revenue Office also accepts direct applications if you are not using a lender.

Transfer Duty (Stamp Duty) Concessions

First Home Concession

The most significant savings for Queensland buyers often come from stamp duty concessions rather than the grant itself. Recent changes have drastically increased the price thresholds, allowing more buyers to pay zero duty.

Current Thresholds (2025-26 Financial Year):

Property Value	Concession Amount
Up to $700,000	$0 Transfer Duty (Full Exemption)
$700,001 - $800,000	Partial Concession (Sliding Scale)
Over $800,000	Standard Duty Rates Apply

The Impact on Your Wallet:

$600,000 purchase: You pay $0 in stamp duty. Under previous rules, this would have cost you over $12,000.
$750,000 purchase: You pay a reduced rate.
$850,000 purchase: You pay full transfer duty.

Eligibility for First Home Concession

You must meet specific criteria to access these tax breaks.

It must be your first home in Australia.
You must be purchasing as an individual, not a company or trust.
Residency Rule: You must move in within 1 year and live there for 1 continuous year (this is longer than the FHOG requirement).
Property Type: This applies to both new and established homes.

Insider Tip: The “continuous year” requirement is strictly audited. The Queensland Revenue Office cross-references utility usage (electricity and water) to verify you are physically living in the property.

Stamp duty savings table

Home Guarantee Scheme (Federal)

First Home Guarantee (FHBG)

This federal initiative allows you to purchase a home with a deposit as low as 5% without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Key details:

Government Guarantee: The government guarantees 15% of the loan, so the bank views your 5% deposit as a 20% deposit.
Savings: This can save you between $10,000 and $30,000 in avoided insurance fees.
Allocations: There are 35,000 places available nationwide each financial year (July to June).

Price Caps (QLD):

Capital City & Regional Centres (e.g., Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast): $700,000.
Rest of State (e.g., Gladstone, Rockhampton): $550,000.

Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee

This is a targeted version of the scheme for buyers living in regional areas.

Regional Requirement: You must have lived in the regional area (or adjacent area) for the preceding 12 months.
Location: You must purchase a home in that regional area.
Gladstone Buyers: Since Gladstone is classified as regional, this specific guarantee often has more availability than the general national scheme.

Family Home Guarantee

Single parents and legal guardians face unique challenges entering the market.

We find this scheme particularly helpful for clients restarting after a separation.

Deposit: Purchase with as little as 2% deposit.
Previous Ownership: You can be a previous home owner, provided you do not currently own property.

Combining Incentives

Smart structuring allows you to stack these benefits. The following tables illustrate the potential savings for a standard purchase in a regional hub like Gladstone.

Scenario A: Buying a New Build ($500,000)

Incentive	Benefit	Notes
FHOG	+$15,000 Cash	Direct payment
Stamp Duty	~$8,750 Saved	Full exemption under $700k
Home Guarantee	~$12,000 Saved	Avoided LMI on 5% deposit
Total Value	~$35,750	Cash + Savings

Scenario B: Buying an Existing Home ($500,000)

Incentive	Benefit	Notes
FHOG	$0	Not eligible (established home)
Stamp Duty	~$8,750 Saved	Full exemption under $700k
Home Guarantee	~$12,000 Saved	Avoided LMI on 5% deposit
Total Value	~$20,750	Savings only

How We Help You Access These

Navigating three different government bodies (State Revenue, Federal Housing Australia, and your lender) requires precision.

At AJ Home Loans, we:

Assess total eligibility: We check your status for State grants, State tax concessions, and Federal guarantees simultaneously.
Monitor scheme capacity: The Home Guarantee Scheme has annual quotas. We know when spots are filling up.
Coordinate with conveyancers: Correctly declaring concessions on legal forms is vital to avoid accidental tax bills.
Structure the loan: We set up the finance so the FHOG can be used as part of your funds to complete (if the lender allows).
Manage the timeline: We ensure your settlement date aligns with residency requirements.

Common Questions

Can I get FHOG on an existing home?

No. The Queensland grant is strictly for new construction. However, the stamp duty concession—which often saves you just as much money—applies to established homes up to $700,000.

What if I’ve owned property before but sold it?

If you have held an interest in residential property in Australia before, you generally cannot claim the FHOG.

There are rare exceptions. For example, if you held the property strictly as a trustee for someone else. We can review your title history to give you a definitive answer.

What if I’ve owned overseas but not in Australia?

You are likely still eligible. Australian First Home Buyer laws specifically look for property ownership within Australia. Owning a flat in London or a house in New Zealand typically does not disqualify you from Australian grants.

What if my partner has owned before?

This effectively disqualifies the couple if you are buying together.

However, if your borrowing capacity allows it, the person who has never owned property could purchase the home in their name solely. They would then be eligible for the grants. This strategy has legal and lending implications that must be discussed with a professional.

Do I need to use a specific lender for the Home Guarantee Scheme?

Yes. Only participating lenders can offer the 5% deposit scheme.

We maintain an updated list of the 33 participating lenders, which includes both major banks and smaller, more flexible institutions.

What happens if I need to move out early?

Life happens, but moving out before the 6 or 12-month period ends can trigger a “clawback.”

The Revenue Office may require you to repay the grant and the stamp duty savings with interest. Always contact the QRO if your circumstances change to negotiate a solution before just moving out.

Regional QLD Benefits

Buying in regional Queensland offers distinct advantages beyond lifestyle.

Purchase Power:

A $550,000 budget in Gladstone gets you a substantial family home, whereas in Brisbane, it limits you to small units.
This keeps you comfortably under the price caps for both the FHOG and the Federal Guarantee.

Equity Growth:

Buying at a lower entry point reduces your mortgage stress.
Regional markets often see surges in value due to infrastructure projects, potentially building your equity faster than a stagnant city unit.

Planning Your First Home Purchase

Steps to Maximise Benefits

Verify before viewing: Do not sign a contract until you know exactly which price caps apply to your target suburb.
Check the “New” status: If buying a “new” spec home, ensure the developer hasn’t rented it out short-term while it was on the market.
Secure the spot: Federal scheme places are released every July 1st. Being ready to apply early in the financial year is a smart tactic.
Calculate the true cost: We help you budget for rates, insurance, and moving costs so the grant money isn’t swallowed by surprises.
Protect your residency: Plan to stay put. Document your move-in date with utility connections in your name.

Gladstone First Home Buyer Checklist

For those looking to buy in the Gladstone region specifically:

Verify your citizenship or permanent residency status.
Confirm the property price is under the $550,000 regional cap (for 5% deposit scheme).
Check if the property is under $700,000 (for $0 Stamp Duty).
Inspect the property type: Is it truly “new” for FHOG purposes?
secure pre-approval with a participating lender.
Map out your 12-month residency plan.

Get First Home Buyer Advice

Incentives can total over $30,000 in value, but a single ticking of the wrong box can disqualify you.

We specialize in helping Queenslanders navigate this maze.

Our first home buyer loans service walks you through every step. Book a free strategy session with our team to identify exactly what you qualify for and structure a loan that gets you into your first home sooner.