property
Sydney First Home Buyer Schemes: What Buyers Need to Know Now
Government grants and concessions in NSW and federally provide deposit and duty relief for eligible first home buyers in Sydney.
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Eligible first home buyers in Sydney can access a $10,000 First Home Owner Grant for newly built homes or house-and-land packages valued up to set limits, alongside full stamp duty exemptions on properties up to $800,000. These measures form part of broader support that buyers should review when considering purchases in the current market.
NSW First Home Owner Grant and Stamp Duty Relief
The $10,000 First Home Owner Grant applies only to newly built, substantially renovated or house-and-land packages where the new home does not exceed $600,000 or the land-plus-home package stays at or below $750,000. It does not extend to established homes. Buyers also qualify for a full stamp duty exemption on new or existing homes valued up to $800,000, with a partial concession available between $800,001 and $1,000,000. The First Home Buyer Choice scheme lets purchasers of eligible homes up to $1.5 million opt for an annual property tax in place of stamp duty, following the cap increase from $900,000 in October 2025.
Federal Deposit Support Options
The First Home Guarantee, updated in October 2025, permits a 5 percent deposit purchase without lenders mortgage insurance, subject to a Sydney property price cap of $1.5 million. The Help to Buy shared equity scheme, launched in December 2025, requires only a 2 percent deposit by allowing the government to co-own up to 40 percent of new builds or 30 percent of existing homes, with a Sydney price cap of $1.3 million and income limits of $100,000 for individuals or $160,000 for couples.
Practical Steps for Buyers
These schemes operate alongside each other, so buyers should check eligibility against the exact price caps and ownership rules listed for each program. The combination of state and federal assistance can reduce upfront costs on qualifying properties, though established homes remain outside the First Home Owner Grant. Prospective purchasers are advised to confirm current details through official channels before making offers.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.