One‑Stop Guide: Queensland Home‑Buying Incentives 2025
- Cyan Dai
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 4
Why bother with government incentives?
Over the past two years Queensland and the Commonwealth have piled generous stimulus on top of an already‑robust housing market. When you stack them correctly, the out‑of‑pocket deposit can fall to just 2 % of the purchase price and up‑front costs can drop by A$60,000‑plus. This guide pulls together every state and federal measure now on the table so you can zero‑in on the one(s) that fit your income, savings and target property.
Level | Incentive | Min-deposit | Government Help | Key Benefit |
State | First Home Owner Grant | ~5% | Cash grant A$30 k | Cuts contract price or pays for fit‑out |
State | New‑Home Stamp‑Duty Exemption | ~5% | 100 % duty waived | Applies from 1 May 2025, no price ceiling |
State | Existing‑Home Duty Concession | ~5% | Duty discount ≤ A$24,525 | Fully exempt ≤ 700 k; tapers out to 799 k |
State | Boost to Buy (shared equity) | 2 % | Gov’t equity 30 % (new) / 25 % (used) | Highest state income ceiling; room‑letting allowed |
State | Queensland Housing Finance Loan (QHFL) | 2 % | State mortgage, no LMI | Interest below market; even self‑build eligible |
Federal | Help to Buy (shared equity) | 2 % | Gov’t equity 40 % (new) / 30 % (used) | Largest equity slice; smaller repayments |
Federal | Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS) | 2 -5% | Gov’t guarantee 15‑18 % (LMI free) | No gov’t share of your title; full‑feature loans |
*Assumes typical bank minimum of 5 %; some schemes reduce further.
*Budget legislation foreshadows higher caps from 1 July 2025.
State‑level incentives in depth
First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
A$30,000 lump‑sum for brand‑new or substantially renovated homes. Contracts between 20 Nov 2023 and 30 Jun 2026.
Property price < 750 k; move‑in within 12 months and occupy ≥ 6 months.
New‑Home Stamp‑Duty Exemption
For first‑timers buying or building a brand‑new principal residence on or after 1 May 2025.
100 % of transfer duty waived, irrespective of price.
Existing‑Home Duty Concession
For established homes contracted on/after 9 Jun 2024.
Duty = A$0 up to 700 k; phases out to 799 k.
Boost to Buy (shared equity)
Minimum 2 % deposit, State takes up to 30 % equity (new) or 25 % (used).
Price cap 1 m; income ≤ 150 k (single) / 225 k (household).
EOI portal opens 1 July 2025; 1 000 slots over two years.
You may let spare rooms immediately; whole‑of‑home leasing or sale requires buying back the State’s share.
Queensland Housing Finance Loan (QHFL)
Government is your lender; 2 % deposit, no LMI.
Income limit 141 k (metro) / 201 k (regional trial to 1 Jul 2026).
Variable or 3‑yr fixed State rate, typically below big‑bank headline.
Federal incentives in depth
Help to Buy
Commonwealth buys 40 % (new) or 30 % (used) of your home; you bring 2 % cash.
Price cap 1 m (Brisbane/SEQ); income ≤ 100 k / 160 k.
Launch expected late 2025; 10 000 places every year.
Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS)
Three streams: First Home (FHBG), Regional FHBG, Family HG.
Deposit 5 % or 2 % (single parents); gov’t guarantees 15‑18 %, so the bank waives LMI.
FY 24‑25: 35 k + 10 k + 5 k places; Brisbane cap currently 700 k.
Worked scenarios
Goal | Recommended stack | Up‑front result |
Brand‑new house $750 k | FHOG 30 k + 0 % Duty + HGS (5 % deposit) | Cash required ≈ 37.5 k, no LMI |
CBD unit $650 k, tiny savings | Boost to Buy (25 % equity) + FHOG + 0 % Duty | Deposit 13 k (2 %), State share 25 % |
Premium new build $900 k, income 160 k | QHFL (2 % deposit) + FHOG | Deposit 18 k, no price cap, no LMI |
Single parent, house $600 k | Family Home Guarantee | Deposit 12 k (2 %), no LMI |
FAQ
What’s LMI? Lenders Mortgage Insurance protects the bank, not you, and can cost tens of thousands when borrowing > 80 % LVR. All schemes above eliminate LMI.
Can I combine Boost & Help? No—both put gov’t equity on your title; choose one. FHOG and duty concessions can pair with either.
Room letting? Boost/Help expressly allow letting individual rooms while you live there; whole‑property leasing requires buying back government equity.
How do I buy the gov’t out? Pay its original % share of current market value (plus proportional capital growth) via refinance or sale.
Application roadmap
Self‑check online: QRO / Housing Australia / Qld Housing portals.
Collect docs: last two ATO assessments, payslips, savings, ID.
Pre‑approve / lodge EOI: through a participating lender or State Housing hotline.
Contract signing: ensure dates meet scheme rules; have lawyer claim duty relief.
Move in: within 12 months; meet each scheme’s principal‑residence requirement.
Next steps & support
Everyone’s deposit, income and property wish‑list is different. For a tailored cash‑flow forecast, a step‑by‑step eligibility map, and a hand‑picked shortlist of suitable properties sourced by BCP’s team of professional Queensland agents, book an online or in‑office session. We’ll match you with the right incentive mix and the right home—so your first Queensland property is only a few signatures away!
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