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James Sylvester
first home buyer home loan
First Home Buyer Loans Queensland
From pre-approval to your first set of keys, start by understanding your options: schemes, grants, and expert advice at every step of buying your first home.
Get a stress-free first home loan
Brisbane's strategy-focused mortgage broker. We review all your first-home buyer incentives and show you exactly what's possible to help you get into your own home sooner.
We act in your best interest - not the banks
15+ years
Mortgage experience
40+
5-star Google reviews
Australia-wide
Phone and Zoom appointments
choose your next step
Ready to get started
You can book a call to discuss what you are looking to achieve, or securely provide your information online so I can begin reviewing your position
Talk It Through First
Not sure where to start or whether I can help? Book a time for an initial conversation before completing any forms.
Start Securely Online
Complete the secure online fact-find and connect your relevant bank accounts through Open Banking.
The process
Simple from start to settlement
Buying your first home involves a lot of moving parts. Here is exactly how we guide you through every stage.
1
Strategy call
We review your income, savings, debts and goals. You leave knowing exactly what you can borrow and which grants you qualify for.
2
Loan selection
We compare 40+ lenders and identify the right loan structure — not just the lowest rate, but the right features for how you want to manage your mortgage.
3
Pre-approval
We prepare and lodge your application with your documents in order. A conditional pre-approval gives you confidence to make offers.
4
Settlement
We coordinate with your lender, solicitor and real estate agent to get you to settlement day. Then we show you how to structure your repayments to pay it off faster.
Government support
Grants and schemes available to you
Queensland first home buyers can access significant government support. Many buyers miss out simply because they didn't ask.
First Home Owner Grant (QLD)
$30,000 cashA one-off cash grant from the Queensland Government for eligible buyers purchasing or building a new home. Does not apply to established properties.
→ Property value: under $750,000
→ Must be your principal place of residence
→ Paid at settlement
Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme
5% deposit · No LMI · No income capFormerly the First Home Guarantee. From 1 October 2025, all eligible first home buyers can purchase with just a 5% deposit and no LMI. Income caps and place limits have been removed.
→ No income limits (removed Oct 2025)
→ Brisbane / Gold Coast / Sunshine Coast cap: $1,000,000
→ Rest of QLD cap: $700,000
→ Unlimited places — apply through a participating lender
First Home Super Saver Scheme
Save via superannuationMake voluntary contributions into superannuation and withdraw them (plus associated earnings) for a home deposit, taxed at a concessional rate.
→ Maximum release: $50,000 per person
→ Couples can combine: up to $100,000
→ Voluntary contributions only
Single Parent Stream
2% deposit · No LMIEnables eligible single parents or guardians with at least one dependent child to purchase with as little as a 2% deposit without LMI. Available to first home buyers and previous homeowners.
→ At least one dependent child required
→ Brisbane / Gold Coast / Sunshine Coast cap: $1,000,000
→ Previous homeowners can still qualify
Stamp Duty Concession (QLD)
Up to $24,525 savingFirst home buyers in Queensland receive a full transfer duty concession on established homes valued up to $700,000. New homes attract zero stamp duty with no price cap (contracts signed on or after 1 May 2025).
→ Established homes: full concession up to $700,000
→ Established homes: sliding scale $700,001 – $800,000
→ New homes: $0 stamp duty, no price cap
Guarantor Home Loan
No deposit requiredA family member uses equity in their property as additional security for your loan. This can eliminate the need for a deposit entirely and avoid LMI costs without gifting cash.
→ Guarantor uses their property equity
→ Guarantee typically covers the portion above 80% LVR
→ Can be removed once sufficient equity is built
Stack multiple benefits: A Queensland buyer purchasing a new home could combine the $30,000 FHOG, zero stamp duty, and the 5% Deposit Scheme — potentially over $55,000 in combined support. Book a call to confirm exactly which schemes apply to your situation before you start searching.
Loan structure
The rate is just the beginning
Most first home buyers chase the lowest rate and stop there. But how your loan is structured determines whether you pay it off in 20 years or 30. There is a significant difference.
- Offset account vs redraw — these are not the same. Understanding the difference saves thousands over the life of the loan.
- Fixed vs variable — locking in a rate sounds safe, but it can prevent you from making extra repayments penalty-free.
- Repayment frequency — fortnightly repayments quietly accelerate loan reduction by making the equivalent of one extra month of payments per year.
- Future flexibility — if you might want to convert this home to a rental property one day, the loan structure needs to be set up correctly from day one.
- Avoiding over-borrowing — your maximum borrowing capacity and your optimal borrowing amount are not the same number.
Example scenario
Saving $118,000 in interest
On a $600,000 loan at 6.2%, switching from monthly to fortnightly repayments and directing salary into an offset account reduces the loan term by 6.5 years and saves approximately $118,000 in interest — without spending a single extra dollar.
Standard loan
30 yrs
$688K total interest
Structured loan
23.5 yrs
$570K total interest
Illustrative example. Individual results vary.
Queensland stamp duty
Transfer duty: what you'll actually pay
Updated June 2025. First home buyers in Queensland now benefit from expanded concessions on established homes and zero stamp duty on all new homes.
| Purchase Price | Standard Transfer Duty | First Home Buyer Duty | Your Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| New home — any price New rule from 1 May 2025 | Standard duty applies | $0 No stamp duty | Full amount |
| $400,000 (established) | $8,750 | $0 Full concession | $8,750 |
| $500,000 (established) | $15,925 | $0 Full concession | $15,925 |
| $600,000 (established) | $20,350 | $0 Full concession | $20,350 |
| $700,000 (established) | $24,525 | $0 Full concession | $24,525 |
| $750,000 (established) | $26,775 | ~$13,388 (sliding scale) | ~$13,388 |
| $800,000+ (established) | Standard duty | Standard duty | $0 |
Figures are indicative. New home concession applies to contracts signed on or after 1 May 2025 with no price cap. Established home concessions apply up to $700,000 with a sliding scale to $800,000. Verify current thresholds with the Queensland Revenue Office or your solicitor prior to purchase.
Common situations
Wherever you're starting from
First home buyers come to us at all different stages and with different challenges. These are the most common situations we work with.
Small deposit saved
You have 5% saved and want to buy without waiting another two years. The 5% Deposit Scheme now has no income cap and unlimited places — we confirm eligibility and get you moving.
HECS debt concerns
Your HECS-HELP balance reduces borrowing capacity but doesn't make buying impossible. Different lenders treat HECS debt very differently — the gap can be $50,000–$80,000 in borrowing capacity.
Parents want to help
A family guarantee lets parents use their property equity to help you buy without a deposit — without gifting cash or going on the title. The guarantee is removed once your equity is built.
Self-employed
Two years of tax returns, ABN registered for two years, and the right lender — self-employed first home buyers can absolutely qualify. It takes more preparation, not more luck.
Buying as a couple
Joint applications increase borrowing capacity significantly. We also discuss what happens to the loan structure if one income stops — a conversation worth having before you sign anything.
Building new
Construction loans work differently — progress payments, variable drawdowns, interest-only during the build. New builds also qualify for the $30,000 FHOG and zero stamp duty. We explain all of it.
Service areas
We work with first home buyers across South East Queensland
Whether you're buying locally or searching interstate before relocating, we operate across SEQ and remotely Australia-wide.
Brisbane CBD
North Lakes
Caboolture
Sunshine Coast
Ipswich
Logan
Redlands
Gold Coast
Toowoomba
Moreton Bay
Remote / Online
Your broker
A broker who explains the strategy, not just the rate
James Sylvester
Principal Broker · MFAA Member · Credit Rep #400033 · LMG Aggregation Group
With over 15 years in mortgage broking, I work with first home buyers who want to understand the decision they're making — not just get to settlement day and hope for the best. Most of my first home buyer clients come to me confused about grants, deposit requirements and loan structure. They leave with a clear plan, the right loan for their situation, and a strategy for paying it off faster.
Based in North Lakes and working with buyers across South East Queensland, I have access to 40+ lenders and will always explain the trade-offs — not just push you toward the first approval I can get.
Related guides
Other pages that may help to buy your first home
This page walks you through the key decisions to buying your first home – deposit size, government schemes, loan types, guarantor options, and whether to buy an established home, build, or even start as a rentvestor. Whether you’re just starting to save or you’re ready to make an offer, I’ll help you understand your borrowing power, structure your loan correctly, and choose a pathway that fits your budget and long-term goals.
Common questions
First home buyer FAQs
How much deposit do I need for my first home in Queensland?
Most lenders require a minimum 5% deposit, though 20% avoids Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (formerly the First Home Guarantee) allows eligible buyers to purchase with just 5% deposit and no LMI, with no income caps and unlimited places as of October 2025.
Check our 5% calculator to see how much your deposit amount could purchase →
What is the First Home Owner Grant in Queensland?
The Queensland First Home Owner Grant provides $30,000 for eligible first home buyers purchasing or building a new home valued under $750,000. It is a one-off payment administered by the Queensland Revenue Office.
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in Queensland?
First home buyers in Queensland receive a full transfer duty (stamp duty) concession on established homes valued up to $700,000, with a sliding scale between $700,000 and $800,000. For new homes, first home buyers pay zero stamp duty with no price cap (contracts signed on or after 1 May 2025).
What are the income limits for the First Home Guarantee?
As of 1 October 2025, the Australian Government has removed income caps from the 5% Deposit Scheme (First Home Guarantee). All eligible first home buyers can now access the scheme regardless of income, subject to standard lender serviceability requirements.
Can I buy my first home with a guarantor?"
Yes. A family guarantee allows a family member to use the equity in their property to guarantee part of your loan, enabling you to borrow without a deposit or avoid LMI. The guarantee is usually limited to the portion above 80% LVR, reducing the guarantor's risk exposure.
You’re in safe hands
15+ years mortgage experience
Accredited with 40+ lenders
Based in North Lakes, helping clients Australia-wide
Personalised, one-to-one advice
MFAA Accredited Member
Part of Australia’s largest aggregation group – LMG
Ready to discuss your options? Give us a call now.
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Your Home Loan Consultant - Mortgage Broker Brisbane - ABN 78 596 155 035. James Sylvester is a Credit Representative No. 400033 of BLSSA Pty Ltd ACN 117 651 760 (Australian Credit Licence 391237). Member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA member 48768).
The information provided on this site is on the understanding that it is for illustrative and discussion purposes only. Whilst all care and attention is taken in its preparation, any party seeking to rely on its content or otherwise should make their own enquiries and research to ensure its relevance to your specific personal and business requirements and circumstances. Terms, conditions, fees and charges may apply. Normal lending criteria apply. Rates subject to change. Approved applicants only.
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