The First Home Owner Grant QLD 2025–26 helps eligible buyers with a cash boost towards their first property purchase. With recent updates to grants and national guarantee schemes, first-home buyers can get into the market sooner with a smaller deposit. This guide explains the eligibility rules, how much you could receive, and how to combine grants with lender options to maximise your borrowing power.
Get Expert Help with Your First Home Loan
The First Home Owner Grant and guarantee schemes are valuable opportunities — but navigating eligibility and lender rules can be confusing. As a mortgage broker, I help first-home buyers:
- Check grant and scheme eligibility
- Compare lender policies
- Structure loans for long-term affordability
- Ensure you maximise available government support
- Guide you through the timeline for your first-home buying journey
And see how soon you could own your first home.
What is the First Home Owner Grant?
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a one-off government payment designed to help first-time buyers purchase or build a new home.
In Queensland, it’s available when buying a brand-new property, building from scratch, or purchasing a substantially renovated home. The grant is aimed at reducing upfront costs and helping first-home buyers enter the property market sooner.
How Much is the First Home Owner Grant in Queensland (2025–26)?
As of the 2025–26 financial year, eligible buyers in Queensland can receive $30,000 under the First Home Owner Grant. This was increased in 2024 as part of the Queensland Government’s housing affordability response.
The grant applies to:
- New houses, townhouses, or units valued under $750,000
- Owner-occupied properties only (not investments)
- Contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026
Eligibility Criteria for the Grant
To qualify, you must meet the following:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or applying jointly with one)
- You and your spouse/partner must not have previously owned property in Australia
- The property must be brand new, not previously lived in
- You must live in the home as your principal place of residence for at least 12 months
How to Apply for the FHOG in QLD
Applications can be made through:
- Your mortgage broker (we can help manage the process with your loan application)
- Approved lenders
- The Queensland Office of State Revenue
You’ll need supporting documents such as ID, proof of contract, and building or purchase agreements.
First Home Guarantee Schemes (2025–26 Updates)
Alongside the FHOG, the Federal Government runs several guarantee schemes:
- First Home Guarantee (FHBG): Buy with as little as 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
- Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee: Specifically designed for regional buyers, with a 5% deposit.
- Family Home Guarantee: Single parents and eligible carers can buy with just 2% deposit.
In 2025–26, eligibility has expanded, allowing more buyers (including friends, siblings, and couples not in a relationship) to apply jointly.
Combining Grants with Lender Options
When used strategically, the FHOG, combined with a government guarantee scheme, can significantly reduce your deposit hurdle. For example:
- A $600,000 new townhouse in Brisbane could qualify for the $30,000 grant.
- With a 5% deposit under the First Home Guarantee, you’d only need $30,000 in savings.
- Effectively, the grant covers your deposit contribution, meaning you can buy with little or no extra savings (excluding costs like stamp duty, fees, and legal expenses).
Pros and Cons of Using the FHOG
Pros:
- Reduces upfront deposit costs
- Helps buyers get into the market faster
- Can be combined with federal guarantee schemes for greater leverage
- Encourages buying new homes, which often have lower maintenance costs
Cons:
- Limited to brand-new or substantially renovated properties
- Property value cap ($750k) may exclude some metro areas
- You must commit to living in the property for at least 12 months
- Not available for investment purchases
Why This Matters for First Home Buyers and Investors
For first-home buyers, the FHOG and guarantee schemes can mean the difference between renting for years or buying today. Investors also benefit indirectly, as these incentives drive demand for new builds and support the construction industry.
Example:
- A Brisbane couple renting for $550/week could use the FHOG and FHBG to purchase a $650,000 townhouse. Their loan repayments could be similar to rent, but they’d be building equity instead.