First Home Buyer Grants & Stamp Duty in QLD
A plain-English 2026 guide to Queensland first home buyer help: zero stamp duty on new builds, the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant, and the 5% deposit First Home Guarantee.
Queensland is one of the most generous states in the country for first home buyers right now, particularly if you buy or build a brand new home. Between stamp duty savings, a large grant, and the federal 5% deposit scheme, an eligible Queensland first home buyer can get in with very little upfront. A few of these are time-limited, so the timing matters. Here is the current 2026 picture in plain English.
Stamp duty: zero on new homes and land
From 1 May 2025, eligible first home buyers in Queensland pay no transfer duty at all on a brand new home, or on vacant land they are buying to build their first home on, with no price cap on that exemption. That is a significant saving.
For established (existing) homes, first home buyers pay no stamp duty up to $700,000, with a concessional reduced rate between $700,000 and $800,000. To qualify you need to move in within 12 months and live there. So whether you buy new or established, there is meaningful stamp duty relief.
The $30,000 First Home Owner Grant
Queensland offers a $30,000 First Home Owner Grant for eligible buyers building or buying a brand new home valued under $750,000. It is not means tested and you do not pay tax on it. Importantly, this boosted $30,000 amount is scheduled to apply until 30 June 2026, after which it is set to reduce, so if you are considering a new build it is worth moving sooner rather than later. I can confirm the current status and your eligibility.
The First Home Guarantee: 5% deposit, no LMI
The federal First Home Guarantee lets eligible first home buyers purchase with as little as a 5% deposit and pay no Lenders Mortgage Insurance, because the government guarantees the gap. From 1 October 2025 the income test and the cap on places were both removed, so there is no income limit and no queue.
In Queensland the property price cap is $1,000,000 for greater Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, and $700,000 for the rest of the state, including Toowoomba and Cairns. Tell me your suburb and I will confirm your exact cap.
How they stack together
Picture a first home buyer building a new $620,000 home on the Sunshine Coast. They could use the First Home Guarantee to buy with a 5% deposit and no LMI, pay zero stamp duty because it is a new build, and receive the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant. That is a tiny deposit, no LMI, no stamp duty, and $30,000 in hand. The exact mix depends on new versus established, price, and location, which is what I work out with you up front.
What to do next
The smart first move is to find out exactly what you qualify for and how much you can borrow before you start inspecting, especially with the grant deadline approaching. My service is free and the whole process runs online. Book a free 20 minute chat and I will map out your fastest, cheapest path into your first Queensland home.
Find out exactly what you qualify for
A free 20 minute chat. I will check your eligibility for every scheme, confirm your price cap, and get you pre-approved. No cost, no obligation.
Book a Free ChatCommon questions
Do I really pay no stamp duty on a new home in Queensland?
Correct. From 1 May 2025, eligible first home buyers pay zero transfer duty on a brand new home or on vacant land bought to build on, with no price cap. Established homes are exempt up to $700,000 with a concession to $800,000.
When does the $30,000 grant end?
The boosted $30,000 First Home Owner Grant is scheduled to apply to new homes until 30 June 2026 and is then set to reduce. If you are planning a new build, the timing genuinely matters, so it is worth a conversation now.
What is the First Home Guarantee cap where I am buying?
It is $1,000,000 for greater Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, and $700,000 for the rest of Queensland including Toowoomba and Cairns. Tell me your suburb and I will confirm it.
Can I combine the grant, the stamp duty exemption and the 5% deposit scheme?
Yes. For a new build they can all apply together, which is what makes Queensland so strong for first home buyers right now.
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Figures and scheme rules reviewed June 2026 and can change. This is general information only and not financial or credit advice. Eligibility and amounts depend on your circumstances and the lender's and government's current criteria. Matty Teague is a Credit Representative (CR 573962) of Flint Group Pty Ltd (ACL 488313).