What Is The First Home Buyers Grant In Queensland?

Buying your first home is a big step, and understanding the support available can make the journey feel far more achievable. One of the most valuable incentives available to eligible first home buyers in Queensland is the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG), a government initiative designed to support home ownership and improve housing affordability.

This guide explains what the First Home Owner Grant is, how it works, the eligibility criteria, how it gets paid, and how it can work alongside other schemes such as the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme. Please treat this article as general information only, as grant amounts, eligibility rules and property caps can change over time. Always confirm the latest information with the Queensland Revenue Office and Housing Australia.

First Home Owner Grant - Buying Your First Home Is A Big Step

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a one off payment introduced across Australia in 2000 to assist first home buyers entering the property market. While the program exists nationwide, each state and territory administers its own legislation, resulting in different grant amounts, property caps and eligibility requirements.

In Queensland, the First Home Owner Grant provides eligible buyers with financial support when purchasing or building a brand new home. The home owner grant was originally introduced to offset the impact of GST on home ownership, but today it also supports housing supply by encouraging the construction of new homes.

As at the time of writing, the Queensland First Home Owner Grant provides a grant of $30,000 for eligible transactions signed beyond 30 June 2026. First home buyers should always check the latest updates with the Queensland Revenue Office before making decisions. You can also find a summary on our Government Grants page.

How The First Home Owner Grant Works In Queensland

The grant is payable when you buy or build a new home, rather than an established one that has been lived in before. Eligible property types generally include a brand new house, unit or townhouse, a home bought off the plan, or a new home you build on your own land. A key condition is the property's value: the grant applies to new homes valued at less than $750,000 (including the land).

Timing depends on what you are doing. For a purchase, the grant is typically paid around settlement, while for a new build it is usually paid at a later construction stage, with your lender or the Queensland Revenue Office coordinating the payment. The grant can also sit alongside other Queensland support, such as transfer (stamp) duty concessions, so it helps to understand how these benefits work together.

Eligibility Criteria For First Home Owners And First Home Buyers

Eligibility for the First Home Owner Grant is based on core requirements set by the Queensland Government. While the official criteria are the final word, they generally include:

• You must be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident (and applicants are assessed individually).

• You must be at least 18 years of age.

• You (and your spouse, if applicable) must not have previously owned residential property in Australia that you lived in. Different rules can apply to former investment property, so check your circumstances.

• The grant is for individuals, not companies or trusts, and there are specific rules covering joint applicants and single-parent families.

• You must move into the home and live in it as your principal place of residence, typically within 12 months of completion or settlement, and stay for a continuous minimum period.

Your lender will also carry out credit and loan-approval checks as part of financing the purchase. For the complete and current eligibility rules, always refer to the Queensland Revenue Office.

Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme — First Home Guarantee Explained

Separate from the Queensland grant, the federal government also helps through the Australian Government 5% deposit scheme, known as the First Home Guarantee and administered by Housing Australia. This national scheme is funded by the Commonwealth and works very differently from the FHOG: rather than paying you money, it guarantees part of your home loan.

Under the Home Guarantee Scheme there are generally three guarantees: the First Home Guarantee, the Regional First Home Buyer support, and the Family Home Guarantee. The standout benefit is that eligible buyers can purchase with as little as a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance, because the government guarantees the balance up to 20%. The First Home Guarantee supports eligible first home buyers with a 5% deposit, while the Family Home Guarantee targets eligible single parents and guardians with a deposit as low as 2%. Property price caps and other conditions apply and are set by Housing Australia, so always reference Housing Australia for current caps and rules.

How The Scheme Interacts With The Queensland First Home Owner Grant

The federal First Home Guarantee and the Queensland First Home Owner Grant are separate programs, and eligible buyers may be able to use them together, since one provides a cash grant and the other helps you buy with a smaller deposit. Because the eligibility rules and timing differ, it pays to plan the order in which you claim each benefit, and to confirm your transfer (stamp) duty outcomes with the Queensland Revenue Office. A good mortgage broker can help you line these up correctly.

How To Apply — Application Process Through Participating Lenders

For the First Home Owner Grant, you can often apply through your bank or lender when they are an approved agent, or directly with the Queensland Revenue Office. For the federal First Home Guarantee, you cannot apply directly to Housing Australia; you must apply through a participating lender. A simple approach:

1.    Choose a participating lender (or speak with a mortgage broker who can compare them for you).

2.    Prepare your identity and proof-of-residency documents.

3.    Gather your purchase contract or building contract.

4.    Submit your grant and guarantee applications through your lender as part of your finance.

Our MyChoice Home Loans team can help you understand your options and connect the dots between your finance, the grant and any guarantee you may be eligible for.

Common Misconceptions For First Home Buyers

A few myths trip up first home buyers. First, the FHOG and the federal guarantees are not the same thing; one is a Queensland cash grant for new homes, the other is a Commonwealth scheme that helps you buy with a smaller deposit. Second, not every scheme has the same rules, so do not assume the conditions of one apply to another. Third, the grant is generally payable once per eligible property transaction, not repeatedly. Always check the latest official rules rather than relying on what applied to someone else.

Ongoing Obligations For First Home Buyers

Receiving the grant comes with responsibilities. You are generally required to live in the home as your principal place of residence for a minimum continuous period, and moving out too early can affect your eligibility and may trigger repayment. Penalties can apply for false or misleading claims, which is another good reason to rely on official information and professional advice.

Useful Links And Resources

Ready to take the next step towards your first home? Start with our Buying Your First Home guide and our first time home builders guide for friendly, practical help, and visit our Government Grants page for a current overview of what is available. 

For official criteria, see the Queensland Revenue Office and Housing Australia. And when you are ready to talk finance, our MyChoice Home Loans team is here to help you make sense of it all. Your first home might be closer than you think, and we would love to help you let life in.