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- 36 Marine Parade, Southport QLD 4215
- 0414 646 513
- Free Of Charge Service!
- Free Of Charge Service!
The First Home Owner Grant is a one-off payment funded by state and territory governments to help first-time buyers build a brand-new home. It was introduced nationally in 2000 to offset the impact of the GST on housing, but today, each state has shaped its own version of the scheme.
Across Australia, the FHOG is designed to help first-home buyers get into the market sooner. It applies only to brand-new homes, not established properties. You must live in the property as your main residence for at least six to twelve months, and you can often combine it with other government incentives such as the First Home Guarantee or stamp-duty concessions.
Wondering where you would like to settle? Let’s look at how the FHOG differs between Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.
As of late 2025, Queensland offers one of the most generous FHOGs in the country with $30,000 for eligible first-home buyers. This amount was doubled from $15,000 in 2023, driving significant new-build activity across South East Queensland suburbs such as Logan, Ipswich, and Caboolture.
To qualify, the property must be newly built, off-the-plan properties with a total property value not exceeding $750,000. You must move into your home within 12 months of completion and live there for at least six months. The FHOG can also be combined with Queensland’s stamp-duty concession, which removes or reduces transfer duty for eligible buyers.
Queensland’s FHOG is higher than most other states, making it an excellent incentive for first-home buyers and builders. The property caps are broad enough to include new homes in major growth corridors, and applications are often managed directly through lenders, keeping the process simple. The grant also works seamlessly with low-deposit finance options such as the First Home Guarantee, helping buyers get into their homes faster.
If you’re building a $750,000 home in South Maclean, the $30,000 FHOG immediately reduces your required funds. When combined with a 5% deposit under the Home Guarantee Scheme, you could secure your property with as little as $36,000 up front.
In 2025, New South Wales continues to offer a $10,000 grant for eligible first-home buyers, an amount that has remained unchanged since 2017. However, with Sydney’s higher property prices, the grant does not go as far as in other states. NSW relies heavily on stamp-duty concessions to make home ownership more achievable.
The FHOG in NSW applies to new or substantially renovated homes. The property value cap is $800,000 for new builds and $600,000 for off-the-plan purchases. Applicants must move in within 12 months and occupy the property for at least six months. It is available to Australian citizens or permanent residents aged 18 and over.
While the grant itself is modest, NSW provides full stamp-duty exemptions for new homes valued under $800,000, and partial discounts for homes priced up to $1 million. These concessions can save buyers tens of thousands of dollars, making them the state’s most valuable incentive for first-home buyers.
The key drawback in NSW is the limited value of the FHOG relative to high property prices. Many eligible buyers find it difficult to locate new homes within the price caps, especially in metropolitan areas. That said, the state’s stamp-duty savings offer meaningful financial relief.
The key drawback in NSW is the limited value of the FHOG relative to high property prices. Many eligible buyers find it difficult to locate new homes within the price caps, especially in metropolitan areas. That said, the state’s stamp-duty savings offer meaningful financial relief.
Victoria offers a $10,000 grant for eligible first-home buyers purchasing or building a new home valued up to $750,000. Although the grant amount matches NSW, Victoria’s property market is more affordable outside Melbourne, allowing buyers to get better value for their money.
Victoria offers a $10,000 grant for eligible first-home buyers purchasing or building a new home valued up to $750,000. Although the grant amount matches NSW, Victoria’s property market is more affordable outside Melbourne, allowing buyers to get better value for their money.
First-home buyers in Victoria pay no stamp duty on homes valued up to $600,000, and receive concessions for properties valued up to $750,000. This combination makes Victoria particularly appealing for new builds in growth corridors such as Melton, Clyde, and Geelong.
Victoria offers a balanced mix of incentives a modest grant paired with substantial stamp-duty savings and a relatively affordable housing market outside metropolitan areas. While the FHOG amount is lower than Queensland’s, the overall accessibility of land and pricing makes it a strong contender for value-conscious buyers.
A new townhouse in Melton valued at $680,000 could qualify for the $10,000 FHOG and approximately $18,000 in stamp-duty concessions. Combined, that’s nearly $28,000 in savings at settlement.
Victoria strikes a middle ground with its combination of a $10,000 grant and generous duty exemptions. Lower property prices in regional and outer-metro areas make it an attractive option for buyers seeking affordability without leaving major employment hubs.
Queensland leads Australia in direct cash support, offering the highest FHOG at $30,000. Combined with affordable land prices and strong growth potential, it provides a significant advantage for first-home buyers and young families. When paired with federal incentives like the First Home Guarantee, total savings can exceed $50,000.
While NSW offers extensive stamp-duty concessions, the smaller grant and higher housing costs make it the hardest state for first-home buyers to enter. Those who do qualify benefit most from stamp duty relief rather than the grant itself.
Each state also offers additional programs that can further help first-home buyers.
In Queensland, the First Home Guarantee allows purchases with as little as a 5% deposit and no LMI, while the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee supports buyers in outer-metro areas. Queensland also offers full stamp-duty concessions on vacant land for eligible buyers.
In New South Wales, recent years have seen the introduction of targeted rebates and shared-equity schemes for key workers, single parents, and lower-income earners. While the First Home Buyer Choice (land-tax option) has been phased out, new programs continue to emerge to make the market more accessible.
In Victoria, the Victorian Homebuyer Fund remains a strong option, where the government co-contributes up to 25% of your property’s value in exchange for a share of equity. Occasionally, additional FHOG bonuses are offered for regional builds.
A $10,000 grant in a million-dollar market provides limited relief compared to a $30,000 grant in a more affordable region. In practice, Queensland’s FHOG covers around 4% of a typical new home’s value, while in NSW and Victoria, it covers only about 1–1.2%. This makes Queensland’s incentive far more impactful in helping first-home buyers reduce borrowing costs and improve loan approval chances.
Over the past few years, thousands of buyers from NSW and Victoria have relocated to Queensland. The reasons are clear: lower entry prices, a generous $30,000 FHOG, strong rental yields, and a relaxed lifestyle. Growth regions such as Logan, Ipswich, Flagstone, and Caboolture are becoming top destinations for young families and first-home buyers who want both value and quality of life.
If you’re flexible about location, think beyond the grant itself. Consider land and build costs, job availability, community growth, infrastructure projects, and access to schools and transport. In many cases, outer-metro regions in Queensland offer the best mix of affordability, lifestyle, and long-term capital growth.
With continued population growth and major infrastructure projects gearing up for the 2032 Olympics, Queensland is strategically positioned for long-term success. The FHOG is part of a broader initiative to attract families and professionals to emerging communities. New estates across South East Queensland are being designed with first-home buyers in mind featuring affordable land, builder incentives, and turnkey packages.
For buyers, this means easier access to land releases, more competitive build options, and consistent property value growth over time.
When comparing the FHOG across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, one state clearly stands out. Queensland offers the highest grant, strong growth potential, and realistic property prices making it the best state for first-home buyers in 2025 and 2026..
While NSW and Victoria offer useful concessions, Queensland’s combination of affordability and government support creates the strongest pathway to home ownership. If you’re considering buying or building your first home, now is the time to act because these incentives won’t last forever.