QLD Grants & Schemes Explained
QLD Grants & Schemes Explained for Home Buyers
Queensland buyers — especially first-home buyers — can access several government grants and schemes that reduce the upfront cost of buying or building a home. This guide explains the main ones, who they suit, and what to check before you rely on them.
Important: Scheme amounts, price caps and end dates change. The Catalyst Group confirms current settings with the relevant authorities before any client purchase.
1. Queensland First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
The Queensland First Home Owner Grant is a state payment toward buying or building a new home — including a house and land package — as your first home.
- What it is: A grant toward a new home purchase (historically between $15,000 and $30,000, with the amount temporarily increased during certain periods)
- Who it’s for: First-home buyers who will live in the new home as their principal place of residence
- Property cap: The home must be under the current value cap (check the current threshold before buying)
- Not for investors: The FHOG is for owner-occupiers only — investment purchases and SMSF purchases don’t qualify
2. Federal 5% Deposit Scheme (Home Guarantee Scheme)
The federal Home Guarantee Scheme lets eligible buyers purchase with a much smaller deposit, without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
- Deposit as low as 5% for eligible first-home buyers (2% for eligible single parents under the Family Home Guarantee)
- No LMI — the government guarantees the gap to the lender
- Place caps apply — a limited number of places are released each year
- Price caps vary by region — different caps apply for capital cities and regional areas
3. Queensland Stamp Duty (Transfer Duty) Concessions
Queensland offers transfer duty concessions for people buying a home to live in, with a larger concession for first-home buyers under certain value thresholds.
- Home concession: Reduced duty for owner-occupiers
- First home concession: Full or partial exemption for first-home buyers below the current value thresholds
- New home build: Concessions can apply to the land component of a house and land package
How the Schemes Work Together
An eligible first-home buyer purchasing a new house and land package in South East Queensland could potentially combine the FHOG, stamp duty concessions and the 5% deposit scheme — materially reducing the cash needed to buy. Eligibility is assessed against each scheme separately, and the rules change, which is why we verify everything before our clients commit.
What The Catalyst Group Does For You
- Confirms your eligibility across every current scheme
- Identifies packages that fit within grant price caps
- Coordinates with your lender and conveyancer so grants are applied correctly at settlement
- Flags scheme deadlines and place-cap timing
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the QLD First Home Owner Grant?
The amount has varied between $15,000 and $30,000 depending on the period. Because it changes, we confirm the current grant amount and end date before any client purchase.
Can I buy with only a 5% deposit in Queensland?
Yes — eligible first-home buyers can use the federal Home Guarantee Scheme to buy with as little as 5% deposit (2% for eligible single parents) without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Places and price caps apply.
Do investors qualify for the First Home Owner Grant?
No. The FHOG is for owner-occupiers buying a new home to live in. Investment and SMSF purchases don’t qualify.
Do grants apply to house and land packages?
Yes — new house and land packages are one of the most common ways buyers use the FHOG, provided the package and buyer meet current eligibility and price-cap rules.
Can I combine the FHOG with the 5% deposit scheme?
In many cases, yes. They’re separate schemes assessed independently. We check both for every first-home buyer we work with.
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