First Home Buyer Grants NSW 2026: Complete Guide

Buying your first home in NSW? There are several government grants and schemes designed to help you get into the property market sooner. This guide covers everything available in 2026, including how much you could save and how to apply.

Quick Summary: What's Available

1. First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) - $10,000

The NSW First Home Owner Grant gives eligible buyers a $10,000 cash grant toward their first home purchase.

Eligibility Requirements

• You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• You must be 18 years or older
• You (or your spouse) must not have previously owned property in Australia
• You must live in the property as your principal residence for at least 6 continuous months within the first 12 months
• The property must be a new home (newly built, off-the-plan, or substantially renovated)

Property Requirements

• Total value must not exceed $600,000
• Must be a new home - established homes don't qualify
• Land and building contracts combined must not exceed $750,000

How to Apply

Your lender or solicitor typically applies on your behalf at settlement. We can coordinate this as part of your loan application.

2. Stamp Duty Exemption & Concessions

This is often worth more than the FHOG! First home buyers in NSW can save tens of thousands on stamp duty.

The Rules

• Full exemption: Properties up to $800,000 (new or existing homes)
• Partial concession: Properties $800,001 - $1,000,000 (sliding scale)
• No concession: Properties over $1,000,000
• Applies to both new and established homes (unlike FHOG)
• Must be your principal place of residence

3. First Home Guarantee (5% Deposit, No LMI)

The First Home Guarantee lets you buy with just a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. The government guarantees up to 15% of the loan, so lenders don't require LMI.

Key Details

• Deposit required: 5% minimum
• LMI saved: $15,000 - $40,000+ depending on property price
• Property price cap in Sydney: $900,000
• Income cap: $125,000 (single) or $200,000 (couple)
• Places available: 35,000 per year (first-come, first-served)

Eligibility

• Australian citizen aged 18+
• First home buyer (never owned property in Australia)
• Will live in the property as your home
• Meet the income requirements

We're an approved First Home Guarantee participant and can secure a place for you as part of your loan application.

4. First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)

The First Home Super Saver Scheme lets you save for a deposit inside your super fund, with tax benefits.

How It Works

1. Make voluntary contributions to your super (up to $15,000 per year)
2. These contributions are taxed at 15% instead of your marginal rate
3. When ready to buy, withdraw up to $50,000 plus earnings
4. Use the funds for your home deposit

Potential Savings

If you're on a $100,000 salary (34.5% marginal rate including Medicare levy) and contribute $15,000:

• Tax you'd pay outside super: $5,175
• Tax inside super: $2,250
• You save: $2,925 per year

5. Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper

NSW's Shared Equity scheme lets the government own up to 40% of your home (30% for existing homes), reducing the amount you need to borrow.

Key Features

• Government contributes up to 40% equity (new homes) or 30% (existing)
• You only need a 2% deposit
• No rent or interest on the government's share
• Income limit: $93,200 (single) or $124,200 (couple)
• Property limit: $950,000 in Sydney
• Must be a single parent or older single person (50+)

Can You Stack Multiple Benefits?

Yes! You can often combine multiple schemes:

What About Established Homes?

If you're buying an established (existing) home:

• You won't get the $10,000 FHOG (new homes only)
• You will get stamp duty exemption/concession (up to $800k)
• You can use the First Home Guarantee (5% deposit, no LMI)
• You can use the First Home Super Saver Scheme

How to Apply

Most of these schemes are applied for during your loan application process:

1. FHOG: Applied through your lender or solicitor
2. Stamp Duty: Applied through your solicitor/conveyancer
3. First Home Guarantee: Applied through participating lenders (we can do this)
4. FHSSS: Applied through the ATO before settlement

We handle the FHOG and First Home Guarantee applications as part of your loan process, and coordinate with your solicitor on stamp duty concessions.