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Thinking of buying your first home in Queensland in 2026? You could be eligible for the massive $30,000 First Home Owners Grant—but with the scheme set to revert to $15,000 after June 30, 2026, timing is critical. Beyond the grant, new 2026 rules now offer unlimited stamp duty exemptions for new builds and a specialized 2% deposit scheme for Queenslanders, making this the most accessible market in decades.
This guide, written by an expert mortgage broker in Brisbane, tells you everything you need to know about the QLD Home owner’s grant, as well as a s step-by-step guide on how to apply.
What Is The First Home Owners Grant?
The Queensland First Home Owners Grant is a financial assistance program designed to help eligible first-time home buyers in Queensland. It is a one-off grant given to Australians who want to buy a home for the first time.
How Much Is the First Home Owners' Grant in QLD?
The amount you receive depends on when you signed your contract or, if you are building, when construction milestones were met.
The $30,000 "Boosted" Grant
For contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026 (both dates inclusive), the grant is $30,000. This enhanced amount is applicable for new builds where the total property value (house and land) is under $750,000.
The June 2026 Deadline: Why Timing Matters
If you are planning to buy or build, you need to be aware of the “sunset clause” currently attached to the boosted rate:
- Sign by 30 June 2026: To secure the full $30,000, your contract to buy or build must be signed on or before this date.
- The Reversion: For contracts signed from 1 July 2026 onwards, the grant is expected to revert to the original $15,000. Acting before this deadline could effectively double your government support.
- Critical Note for Owner-Builders: If you are building the home yourself (rather than hiring a licensed builder), your eligibility is not tied to a contract date. Instead, your foundations must be laid between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026 to qualify for the $30,000.
Previous Grant Amounts
If you signed a contract before the boost—specifically before 20 November 2023—the grant amount remains $15,000.
First Home Buyers Grant QLD Rules And Eligibility
To qualify for the $30,000 QLD First Home Owners’ Grant, you must satisfy specific criteria regarding your personal circumstances and the property itself.
Personal Requirements
You must meet these basic standards to move forward with your application:
- Age: You (and any co-applicants) must be at least 18 years old.
- Citizenship: At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- Previous Grants: You or your spouse cannot have received a First Home Owner Grant in any Australian state or territory previously.
- Previous Homeownership: You or your spouse must not have owned a residential property in Australia that you lived in on or after 1 July 2000.
- Investment Property Clause: If you owned an investment property after July 2000 but never lived in it, you remain eligible. You will need to provide proof, such as lease agreements, to confirm you never occupied the property.
- Income: There are no income caps for the First Home Owners Grant. (Note: The “Boost to Buy” scheme does have income limits, but the FHOG does not).
Residence Requirements
You must move into your new home as your primary residence within one year of the transaction. You are required to live there continuously for at least six months. While you can rent out a spare room during this time, be careful; doing so might disqualify you from other concessions, such as specific stamp duty discounts.
NZ Citizens: Special Eligibility Rules
Queensland is home to many New Zealanders, and the grant rules are very accommodating for Kiwi expats.
- SCV Status: If you are a New Zealand citizen holding a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444), the Queensland Government treats you as a permanent resident for FHOG purposes.
- Residency Rules: Like all other applicants, you must still meet the “Principal Place of Residence” requirement. This means you must move into the home within one year and live there for at least six continuous months.
Property Requirements
The grant is strictly for new or transformed living spaces. Established homes (those that have been previously lived in) do not qualify.
Eligible Property Types: Houses, units, duplexes, townhouses, and even granny flats built on a relative’s land. It also covers homes moved from one site to another and “substantially renovated” homes.
Transaction Types: Includes off-the-plan purchases, new builds, substantial renovations, and contracts to build.
Owner-Builder “Foundations” Rule: If you are an owner-builder, your eligibility is not based on a contract date. To secure the $30,000 grant, you must ensure your foundations are laid between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026. If foundations are laid after this window, the grant is expected to revert to $15,000.
Property Value Cap: The total value of the home (including land and any contract variations) must be less than $750,000.
Disqualification Factors
Even if you meet the criteria above, the Commissioner may disqualify you if:
- Hidden Interests: You receive financial help from a “related person” who isn’t eligible for the grant but intends to live in the home frequently.
- Genuine Reasons: If the government isn’t satisfied there are genuine family reasons for that person to occupy the home, the grant will be denied or must be repaid. (Note: Standard bank loans do not count as “financial help” from a related person).
How To Apply For The First Home Owners Grant?
- If you are buying a home, you must apply within 1 year of you moving into the property and of the new home and your title being registered.
- If you have a build contract, you must apply within 1 year of the house being completed and the final inspection certificate being issued.
- If you are building the home by yourself, you must apply within 1 year of the house being completed and the final inspection certificate being issued.
You will also need to provide supporting documents, which we will cover below.
Using The First Home Owners' Grant As A Deposit
One of the best features of the $30,000 First Home Owners’ Grant is its ability to boost your deposit. On a $750,000 property, this grant alone covers 4% of the purchase price. This injection of capital can significantly shorten your savings timeline and get you onto the property ladder months or years sooner.
The "Stacking" Benefit: Maximising Your Support
The real power for first home buyers lies in “stacking” the grant with other government incentives. When you combine the FHOG with stamp duty exemptions and low-deposit schemes, your total financial support can exceed $50,000.
Here is how the numbers stack up for a typical new build in Queensland:
Incentive | Value (Approx.) | Benefit Type |
First Home Owners Grant | $30,000 | Direct Cash to Deposit |
Stamp Duty Exemption | $24,525 | Tax Saving (Zero Payable) |
First Home Guarantee | Variable | Buy with only 5% deposit |
Total Upfront Support | $54,525+ | Reduced Cash Required |
A Note on "Genuine Savings"
While the $30,000 grant jumpstarts your deposit, most lenders still require “genuine savings.” This generally means you must show you have saved at least 5% of the purchase price consistently over three to six months. Because the FHOG is a government gift, banks do not count it toward this 5% genuine savings requirement.
Factor in Your Closing Costs
You must also budget for additional buying costs, such as legal fees and building inspections. We recommend setting aside approximately 3% of the purchase price to cover these essentials.
To find out exactly how much cash you need to secure your specific property, book a free assessment with our team. We can calculate these figures based on your unique financial position and the latest 2026 incentives.
Read more: How much deposit do I need to buy a home
How The $30,000 FHOG Impacts Your Borrowing Power
The First Home Owners Grant is more than just a bonus — it can seriously change your borrowing power.
The Grant Doesn't Count as Genuine Savings
Most lenders want to see “genuine savings.” This means money you’ve saved consistently over three to six months. Unfortunately, the $30,000 FHOG doesn’t usually count. That’s because it’s a one-off payment from the government — not your own savings. So, while helpful, it can’t replace your personal contribution.
It Can Still Help Reduce Your Loan Costs
Even though it’s not genuine savings, the grant still boosts your deposit. This helps lower your Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) — which can save you thousands. A lower LVR could reduce or remove Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). For example, on a $650,000 home, the grant could shave off up to $12,000 in LMI fees.
Can It Help With Loan Approval?
Yes — but only if you still meet the lender’s deposit and income requirements. Banks will look at the full picture: your savings, debts, income, and expenses. We help you present everything clearly to get your best shot at approval.
Real Case Study: How the $30,000 FHOG Helped Olivia Buy Her First Home
Let’s look at how the First Home Owners Grant made a real difference for one of our clients.
Meet Olivia — First Home Buyer in Brisbane
Olivia is a 28-year-old nurse earning $90,000 a year.
She had saved $35,000 over 18 months and was looking to buy a townhouse in Brisbane.
She found a brand-new townhouse priced at $720,000.
Because the home was new and under the $750,000 cap, she qualified for the $30,000 FHOG.
How the Numbers Worked
Here’s how Olivia’s finances looked with and without the grant:
Item | Without FHOG | With FHOG |
Purchase Price | $720,000 | $720,000 |
Deposit | $35,000 | $35,000 + $30,000 (FHOG) = $65,000 |
Loan Required | $685,000 | $655,000 |
LVR | 95% | 91% |
LMI Cost | $18,000 | $9,000 |
Total Savings | – | $9,000 saved on LMI |
With the grant added to her deposit, her Loan-to-Value Ratio dropped, and she paid half as much LMI.
What It Meant for Olivia
Thanks to the grant:
- She didn’t need to delay her purchase
- Her loan was easier to approve
- She saved thousands in upfront costs
- She kept more of her own savings for furniture and moving costs
We Helped Her Apply
Our team handled her FHOG application and home loan all at once. She got approved within 3 weeks and moved into her new home a month later.
How To Apply For The QLD First Home Buyer Grant
If you work with Hunter Galloway, we’ll help you complete the First Home Owners Grant application form as a part of your home loan application.
We will help you fill out and complete the paperwork to make it super easy!
There’s also an online lodgement form that you can find here.
The total First Home Buyers Application Form is 15 pages long and has 8 main sections:
Section 1: Eligibility Criteria
The first section of the First Home Buyers Application form for the Queensland First Home Owners Grant checks that you are able to apply for the grant. A qualifying first homeowner will answer ‘yes’ to questions 1 to 8, then ‘no’ for questions from 9 onwards.
Section 2: Applicant Details
This section of the application form has all your basic personal information, name, address, contact details, and all the simple stuff for you and your partner.
Section 3: Spouse Details
Section 3 is only there if you have a partner or spouse who is not an applicant that you detailed in section 2. If you do not have a partner or spouse, you can skip this section and continue to section 4!
Section 4: Property and Transaction Details
In section 4, you will need to include the details of the property you are purchasing or building as well as the type of property.
The options in section 4 include the following: only choose 1 option.
- Contract to purchase a new home
- Contract to purchase a substantially renovated home
- Contract to build
- Contract to purchase off-the-plan
- A building as an owner-builder
Buying off the plan means purchasing a property before the building is out of the construction phase and the title has yet to be created.
If you are buying off the plan, it means the property is not completed yet, so if you have bought a new property that is ready to be moved into, you can choose ‘contract to purchase a new home’.
Section 5: Optional Information
As the name suggests, this is not a mandatory section and only applies if you are Aboriginal or a descendant of the Torres Strait.
Section 6: Bank Account Details
Since the grant is paid into your account, this is the part where you enter your banking details.
Section 7: Declaration by Applicant
There are 24 declarations in this part. After reading them, you and your spouse (if you are applying together) must then sign the application form,
Section 8: Declaration by Spouse
When your partner is not part of the application, they sign this section.
What Supporting Documents Do I Need To Apply For The First Home Owners Grant in QLD?
When applying for the First Home Owner Grant in Queensland, you must provide various supporting documents with your application form. Here’s a summary of the required documents:
Proof of Identity:
Provide one document from each of the following categories:
- Category 1: Australian birth certificate, current Australian passport, Australian citizenship certificate, current passport or ImmiCard with visa, or Titre de Voyage.
- Category 2: Current Australian driver’s licence, firearm licence, proof of age card, or passport.
- Category 3: Valid Medicare card, car registration, debit/credit card, concession card, or Veteran card.
- Category 4: Recent utility bill, bank statement, or home insurance policy showing your name and address.
If you’ve changed your name or marital status, provide relevant certificates or documents.
For non-applicant spouses residing overseas, a current identification document from their country of residence is required.
Financial Help:
If you’ve received financial help, provide a statutory declaration describing the help received or a copy of the financial arrangement if it’s in writing.
If the financial help is from a related person who will live in or frequently use the home, details must be provided in the statutory declaration.
For Different Types of Homes:
- New Home (including off the plan): Signed contract, registration confirmation statement or title search, and final inspection certificate. A vendor statement is needed if the home is not off the plan.
- Substantially Renovated Homes: Same as for a new home, plus a tax invoice showing GST, a statement from the seller about the renovations and a final inspection certificate
- Contract to Build: Signed contract, registration confirmation statement or title search, final inspection certificate, and valuation or market appraisal of the land.
- Owner–Builder: Registration confirmation statement or title search, first inspection certificate, owner–builder cost summary, receipts, independent valuation or market appraisal, and final inspection certificate.
- Building on a Relative’s Land: Statement or written agreement from the relative authorising the build.
- Purchase from Related Person or No Contract: Stamped Titles Queensland Form 1 Transfer, evidence of payment, statement from the vendor, and independent valuation or market appraisal.
- Manufactured or Mobile Homes: Site agreement, lease, or other relevant agreement for land occupancy.
What Happens If Your Queensland First Home Buyers Grant Application Is Rejected?
It’s rare, but FHOG applications can get declined.
The good news? In most cases, you can fix the issue.
First, Find Out Why
Common reasons include:
- Missing documents
- Incorrect details
- Ineligibility (for example, you’ve owned property before)
Once you know the reason, you can fix it and reapply.
What You Can Do Next
If your grant was denied due to paperwork, resubmit with the correct documents.
Still not sure what went wrong?
Contact the Queensland Revenue Office (QRO) or speak with your broker.
You can also lodge an appeal or request a review if you believe the decision was unfair.
We’ve helped clients do this successfully.
Our Team Can Help
We’ll go through your situation, check every detail, and help you reapply. If needed, we’ll talk directly to QRO on your behalf.
QLD vs Other States: How Does the Grant Compare?
Queensland’s FHOG is currently the benchmark for property support in Australia, offering a significantly higher cash injection than most other jurisdictions. As of May 2026, many states have shifted their focus toward stamp duty concessions, making Queensland’s direct cash grant a standout feature.
FHOG Comparison Table (May 2026)
State | Grant Amount | Property Cap | Key 2026 Conditions |
QLD | $30,000 | $750,000 | Must sign by 30 June 2026. |
NSW | $10,000 | $600k (Buy) / $750k (Build) | New homes only. |
VIC | $10,000 | $750,000 | $600k cap if buying a finished new home. |
WA | $10,000 | $800,000 | New 2026 cap (was $750k). |
SA | $15,000 | None* | No cap for contracts signed after June 2024. |
TAS | $30,000 | None | High grant extended through 30 June 2026. |
NT | $50,000 | None | New “HomeGrown” grant replaces old FHOG. |
ACT | None | N/A | Grant replaced by Home Buyer Concession Scheme. |
*While SA has no FHOG cap, lenders still apply strict valuation criteria.
Why QLD’s Grant Still Stands Out
- Double the Standard Rate: While NSW and VIC offer $10,000, Queensland provides triple that amount ($30,000) for those who act before the June deadline.
- The “Stacking” Advantage: Queensland is one of the few states where you can combine a $30,000 cash grant with unlimited stamp duty exemptions on new builds (introduced May 2025).
- No Income Testing: Unlike the Northern Territory’s larger grant which has income thresholds, the QLD FHOG is available regardless of how much you earn.
- Regional Accessibility: While WA and VIC have localized bonuses or specific regional caps, the QLD $30,000 grant is uniform across the entire state.
A Note on the Northern Territory (NT)
You may notice the NT now offers $50,000. While this is higher than QLD, the NT market has significantly different property growth profiles and stricter 12-month residency requirements. For most buyers in major metropolitan hubs, Queensland’s $30,000 remains the most “spendable” and accessible grant in the country.
What Other Incentives Am I Eligible For In QLD?
Besides the $30,000 First Home Owners’ Grant, several schemes and concessions can significantly lower your entry costs. Here is how you can save tens of thousands of dollars.
Stamp Duty Concessions
The rules for “transfer duty” (stamp duty) have shifted to favor new construction. As of 2026, the savings are massive:
- New Builds & Vacant Land (Full Exemption): Since May 1, 2025, first-home buyers pay zero stamp duty on new homes and vacant land with no price cap.
- High-Value Insight: If you buy a brand-new apartment for $900,000, you pay $0 in stamp duty, saving roughly $32,000. This applies even though $900k is above the $750k FHOG cap.
- Established Homes (Thresholds): For homes that have been lived in before, the following rules apply:
- Under $700,000: Full exemption (save up to $17,350).
- $700,001 to $799,999: Partial concession on a sliding scale.
- $800,000 and above: No first-home concession applies.
QLD Boost to Buy (Regional Availability)
This is the Queensland Government’s signature shared equity scheme. It allows you to buy a home with just a 2% deposit.
- Current Status (May 2026): Round 2 has reopened with 500 new spots. While South East Queensland (SEQ) spots are exhausted, allocations remain for Regional Queensland through Unity Bank.
- The Benefit: The government contributes up to 30% for new homes (25% for existing), acting as a silent partner to lower your mortgage and remove the need for Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
- Price Cap: Valid for properties up to $1 million across QLD.
This national scheme lets you buy a home with a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
- Price Caps: In 2026, the cap is $1 million for Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast, and $700,000 for the rest of Queensland.
- Stacked Benefits: You can use this guarantee alongside the $30k FHOG and the stamp duty exemption to move in with almost no upfront cash.
Save for your deposit within your super fund to take advantage of lower tax rates.
- Limit: You can save up to $50,000 per person ($100,000 per couple) to withdraw for your first home deposit.
Help to Buy Scheme (Federal)
Similar to “Boost to Buy,” this is a federal shared equity scheme.
- Difference: It offers a higher equity contribution (40% for new homes) but has lower income caps ($90k for singles / $120k for couples) compared to the QLD state scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the QLD First Home Owners Grant end in 2026?
The $30,000 amount is scheduled to revert to $15,000 for contracts signed after June 30, 2026.
Can I get the grant for a $800k new build?
No, the FHOG has a strict $750,000 property value cap. However, you may still get a full stamp duty exemption.
Is stamp duty abolished for first home buyers in QLD?
For new builds, yes. Since May 2025, there is a full exemption with no price cap for eligible first home buyers.
What is the "Boost to Buy" scheme?
It’s a QLD shared equity program allowing you to buy with a 2% deposit; the government holds up to 30% equity in the home.
Can I buy a "Tiny Home" with the grant?
Yes, if it is a new dwelling fixed to land and meets local government habitation approvals.
Do I pay the grant back if I move out?
You must live in the home for 6 continuous months within the first year. Moving out early may require full repayment.
Is the $30,000 grant available for established homes?
No, the FHOG is strictly for new or substantially renovated properties.
Can I use the FHOG with the 5% First Home Guarantee?
Yes, you can stack the $30,000 grant with federal guarantees to further reduce your required savings.
Next Steps To Getting Your Home Loan
Our team here at Hunter Galloway is here to help you buy a home in Brisbane.
Unlike other mortgage brokers who are just one-person operations, we have an entire team of experts to help make your home loan journey as simple as possible.
If you want to get started, give us a call on 1300 088 065 or book a free assessment online to see how we can help.
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