First Home Buyer Loans

⚡First Home Buyer loan solutions by QLoans.au for your confident first step into homeownership.

First Home Buyer Loan is Suitable For

✓ Australian citizens or permanent residents seeking to purchase their first home

Purpose of First Home Buyer Loan

✓ Purchase your first residential property
✓ Access eligible government grants, schemes, and stamp duty concessions
✓ Access low-deposit or no-LMI pathways

Structure Your First Home Buyer Loan

✓ Variable, fixed, or split-rate options
✓ Loan-to-value ratios (LVR) up to 98% depending on lender and security
✓ Flexible repayment options including interest-only periods
✓ Options for offset accounts, redraw facilities, and extra repayments
✓ Potential LMI waivers or government-backed guarantees

Pre-qualify for a loan

Check your estimated loan range and compare three rates tailored to your borrowing position.

Success Story

From Renting to Owning

A young Brisbane couple secured their first home with a 5% deposit using a First Home Guarantee. Guidance on grant applications and lender comparison allowed them to move in within eight weeks.

Single Buyer Leveraging Government Schemes

A Sydney single buyer combined the First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme and the First Home Owner Grant for a new build, reducing upfront costs and avoiding family guarantees.

Family Purchasing with Limited Savings

A Melbourne family with minimal savings used a flexible lender option to secure a townhouse, avoiding further rental increases and utilising government grants effectively.

Advantages

LOWER ENTRY

Access grants, concessions, and guarantee schemes to reduce upfront expenses.

DEPOSIT FLEXIBILITY

Low-deposit options available for eligible first-home buyers.

LMI & STAMP DUTY EXEMPTIONS

Potentially exempt from Lenders Mortgage Insurance for qualifying applicants.

GOVERNMENT GRANTS

Leverage stamp duty concessions, First Home Owner Grant incentives, and property value caps designed for first-time buyers.

FAQ

Contact QLoans.au for the latest policies, rates, and industry updates.

How much deposit do I need as a first home buyer?

Most lenders require 5–20%. With government guarantees, eligible buyers may qualify with as little as 2–5% deposit without paying LMI.

What government schemes am I eligible for?

Eligibility depends on income, property type, property value caps, and prior property ownership. Grants, concessions, and federal/state guarantee schemes vary by state.
Check these sites for updates:
https://www.firsthome.gov.au/
https://firsthomebuyers.gov.au/

First Home Guarantee vs. Help to Buy

Feature	First Home Guarantee (FHBG)	Help to Buy (Shared Equity)
Minimum Deposit	5% (or 2% for single parents)	2%
Govt Contribution	15% Guarantee (acts as deposit)	30% (existing) or 40% (new) Equity
Income Caps	None (Removed Oct 2025)	Individuals < $100k; Couples < $160k
LMI Payable?	No	No
Ownership	You own 100% of the home	Govt owns a 30–40% “share”
Places Available	Unlimited	10,000 places per year
Eligibility	First home buyers or 10yr+ non-owners	First home buyers or previous owners
Repayment	Full mortgage repayments	Reduced repayments (smaller loan)

Property Price Caps (2026 Update)

The price caps for these two schemes are different in several states. The First Home Guarantee generally allows for a higher purchase price in major cities like Sydney.

State / Territory	First Home Guarantee Cap	Help to Buy Cap	Rest of State (Both)
NSW (Sydney/Regional Centers)*	$1,500,000	$1,300,000	$800,000
VIC (Melbourne/Geelong)	$950,000	$950,000	$650,000
QLD (Brisbane/Gold Coast/Sunny Coast)	$1,000,000	$1,000,000	$700,000
WA (Perth)	$850,000	$850,000	$600,000
SA (Adelaide)	$900,000	$900,000	$500,000
TAS (Hobart)	$700,000	$700,000	$550,000
ACT (All Areas)	$1,000,000	$1,000,000	N/A
NT (All Areas)	$600,000	$600,000	N/A

Key Takeaways

Choose Help to Buy if: Your borrowing capacity is the main hurdle. If the bank won’t lend you enough for the home you need, the government’s 30–40% contribution “bridges the gap” and keeps your monthly mortgage payments much more affordable.

Choose the 5% Deposit Scheme if: You have a stable, higher income and want to keep 100% of the profit when the property value goes up. It is also the only choice if you earn over $100k as a single.

Can my parents help with my first home purchase?

Yes. Options include family guarantees, gifted funds, or co-borrowing arrangements depending on lender policy and risk profile.

Does being in a partnership affect my eligibility?

Some schemes require both applicants to meet first-home buyer criteria; lender policies may differ.

Can I use a FHB loan for an investment property?

Most first-home schemes require owner-occupation. Some lenders allow investment purchases, but government incentives typically only apply to owner-occupied homes.

What makes QLoans.au different from going directly to a bank?

A conversation with QLoans.au can uncover loan solutions that one lender alone might not offer. Our expert brokers compare competitive options across banks, non-banks, and specialist lenders, keeping you informed on current policies. From pre-assessment to post-settlement, we provide guidance to streamline the entire process and maximise your options.

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) Lender Policies Overview

Auswide
Available for owner-occupied new homes only. Must be Australian citizen or permanent resident, not have owned property previously, income eligibility applies. FHOG varies by state ($10,000-$20,000).

CBA
Acts as an agent for FHOG application. Requires proof of citizenship or permanent residency, fully executed Home Buyer Declaration, and dependent documentation for single parent stream. FHOG payments must meet strict timing and documentation requirements.

Suncorp
Requires completed, signed, and dated FHOG application with identity verification documents. FHOG proceeds generally available after construction commencement and must be applied fully towards the transaction if included in non-genuine savings.

ANZ
FHOG can be used towards construction or claimed after build completion. Applicants must be genuine first home buyers. Family guarantees accepted if all applicants are first home buyers.

Macquarie
Processes FHOG applications post loan approval. Requires completed FHOG application form and supporting documents sent to FHOG email.

Firstmac
Accredited to process FHOG applications with original signed application and certified copies with identification.

National Australia Bank (NAB)
FHOG discount applies for owner-occupied loans. Applicants must be first home buyers or not have owned property in last 10 years. Requires contract of sale and FHOG application documents.

Great Southern Bank
Requires FHOG application, copies of ID, and contract for sale. Contact BDM for full documentation details.

MyState Bank
FHOG accepted at application to contribute to deposit. Requires proof of citizenship or permanent residency and signed statutory declaration.

Heritage
Processes state government FHOG applications, funds generally available at base stage of construction.

Bank Australia
FHOG available subject to state eligibility. Applicants must be first home buyers or not owned property in last 10 years.

Westpac
Supports FHOG with state-specific requirements and documentation. FHOG used in conjunction with Home Guarantee Scheme.

ME Bank
FHOG use documented in application submission notes; approval required before settlement.

ING
Requires written evidence of FHOG eligibility or first home buyer stamp duty concessions.

UniBank
FHOG application and supporting documents required. LVR and savings evidence required depending on LVR.

Teachers Mutual Bank
FHOG supported with relevant documentation and eligibility verification.

Beyond Bank
Participates in Home Guarantee Scheme and FHOG. Requires home buyer declaration and proof of citizenship or residency.

Key Common Eligibility Criteria:

Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Must be a first home buyer or not have owned property in Australia in the last 10 years.
Property must be owner-occupied.
FHOG amounts and eligibility vary by state.
Supporting documentation such as signed FHOG application, proof of identity, and contract of sale required.
FHOG proceeds usually applied towards purchase or construction costs.