If you’re buying your first home in NSW in 2026, you may be able to claim the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) for an eligible new home, a stamp duty exemption or concession under the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme (FHBAS), and if you qualify, support through the federal First Home Guarantee. Stacked together, these schemes can meaningfully reduce what you need to save and borrow before you’ve made a single mortgage repayment. The catch is that most buyers only claim one of these when they’re actually eligible for two or three.

This guide breaks down exactly what’s available, who qualifies, and how the schemes fit together, without the jargon.

TL;DR: Key Takeaways

• The FHOG is a one-off cash payment for eligible new homes only, subject to a property value cap for a straight purchase and a higher combined cap for land plus a building contract. It isn’t means-tested.
• Stamp duty exemption under the FHBAS applies to new and existing homes up to a set value threshold, with partial relief available up to a higher threshold. This is often worth more than the FHOG itself.
• These two NSW schemes can be combined on an eligible new home purchase.
• The federal First Home Guarantee lets eligible buyers purchase with a low deposit and skip Lenders Mortgage Insurance, subject to income caps and property price caps.
• The First Home Super Saver Scheme lets you withdraw voluntary super contributions to boost your deposit.
• You must never have owned residential property in Australia (generally since 1 July 2000) to qualify for the FHOG or FHBAS.
• Grant amounts, caps, and thresholds are set by Revenue NSW and can change. Always confirm current figures before signing a contract.

1. How Much Is the First Home Owner Grant in NSW in 2026?

Direct answer: The NSW First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) is a one-off, tax-free payment for eligible buyers purchasing or building a brand-new home.

It’s administered by Revenue NSW and paid at settlement, or at your first construction progress payment if you’re building. It is not a loan, you never repay it, and there’s no income test attached.

What counts as a “new home”

The grant only applies to a home nobody has lived in before. That includes:

• A newly built house, townhouse, apartment, or unit
• An off-the-plan purchase
• A substantially renovated home that hasn’t been re-occupied or resold since the renovation
• A home you build yourself on vacant land, under a building contract

Established (previously lived-in) homes do not qualify for the FHOG. This is the single biggest misconception buyers have, and it’s where most people accidentally rule themselves out before checking the alternative scheme below.

Property value caps for the FHOG

Purchase type	Cap applies
Buying a completed new home	Yes, a set purchase price cap
Vacant land plus building contract (combined)	Yes, a higher combined cap

If your purchase price sits even slightly above the relevant cap, the grant doesn’t apply on a sliding scale. It’s a threshold, so it’s worth confirming the exact current figure with Revenue NSW or your broker before you make an offer.

2. Who Is Eligible for the FHOG in NSW?

Direct answer: You must be an adult first-time buyer, an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and neither you nor your partner can have previously owned residential property in Australia.

The core eligibility rules from Revenue NSW are:

1. Age. You (and any co-applicants) must be at least 18 years old.
2. Citizenship or residency. At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
3. First home buyer status. You and your spouse or partner must never have owned residential property in Australia, generally before 1 July 2000, and must never have previously received an FHOG anywhere in Australia.
4. Individuals only. Companies and trusts cannot apply.
5. Occupancy requirement. For contracts signed on or after 1 July 2023, you must move in within 12 months of settlement and live there continuously for at least 12 months as your principal place of residence.
6. Applying together as a couple. If you’re purchasing with a partner, your eligibility is assessed jointly, as a single entity, not individually.

A quick note on “previously owned property but didn’t live in it”

If you (or your spouse) bought a residential property after 1 July 2000 but never lived in it for more than six continuous months, you may still be eligible. This exemption catches a lot of buyers off guard, so it’s worth checking with a broker rather than assuming you’re excluded.

3. Does NSW Have a Stamp Duty Exemption for First Home Buyers?

Direct answer: Yes. Under the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme (FHBAS), eligible buyers pay no stamp duty on homes up to a set value threshold, and a concessional (reduced) rate applies within a higher band above that.

This is arguably the more valuable of the two NSW schemes, because unlike the FHOG:

• It applies to both new and established homes
• The potential savings can be substantial, particularly for properties near the top of the exemption threshold

FHBAS thresholds at a glance

Property value band	Stamp duty outcome
Up to the exemption threshold	Full exemption
Between the exemption threshold and the concession threshold	Concessional, sliding-scale rate
Above the concession threshold	No FHBAS relief, standard duty applies

Exact dollar thresholds are set by Revenue NSW and are reviewed periodically, so confirm the current figures before you budget around them.

Can you get the FHOG and the stamp duty exemption at the same time?

Yes. If you’re buying an eligible new home within the FHOG price cap, you can potentially receive both a cash grant through the FHOG and a full or partial stamp duty exemption through the FHBAS.

Eligibility criteria differ slightly between the two schemes, so qualifying for one doesn’t automatically confirm the other, but many buyers meet the requirements for both. It’s one of the first things worth checking before you make an offer.

4. What Federal Government Schemes Can First Home Buyers in NSW Combine With the FHOG?

Direct answer: NSW buyers can also access three federal schemes, the First Home Guarantee, Help to Buy, and the First Home Super Saver Scheme, alongside state-based grants and stamp duty relief.

First Home Guarantee (low deposit scheme)

Lets eligible buyers purchase with a low deposit while the government guarantees part of the loan to the lender, meaning you can avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), a cost that can otherwise be significant.

• Subject to individual and combined income caps
• Subject to a property price cap that varies by location
• Limited places are released each financial year from 1 July, so applying early matters

Help to Buy (shared equity scheme)

A federal shared equity scheme where the government contributes equity toward your purchase, reducing how much you need to borrow and, in turn, your repayments. The government’s equity contribution is higher for new homes than for existing homes.

First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)

Allows you to make voluntary contributions into your super fund and later withdraw a capped amount, plus associated earnings, to put toward your deposit, taking advantage of super’s lower tax rate along the way. This works best if you have 12 or more months before you plan to buy.

Important distinction: The First Home Guarantee and the FHOG are commonly confused, but they solve different problems. The FHOG is a cash grant. The First Home Guarantee is a deposit and LMI solution. They are not mutually exclusive, and many buyers use both.

5. How Do You Apply for the First Home Owner Grant in NSW?

Direct answer: You don’t apply to Revenue NSW directly in most cases. Your bank, lender, or mortgage broker submits the FHOG application as part of your home loan application.

Step-by-step process

1. Confirm eligibility for the FHOG, FHBAS, and any federal schemes before you sign a contract, ideally with a broker who can check all three at once.
2. Provide identification and contract documents, such as proof of identity, the signed contract of sale or building contract, and evidence of the property’s value.
3. Your lender or broker lodges the application alongside your home loan application, so the timing lines up with settlement or your first progress payment.
4. The grant is paid at settlement for a purchase, or at your first construction milestone for a build. It isn’t paid to you in advance.
5. If you’ve already settled, you can generally still apply retrospectively for the grant, so it’s worth checking even if you think you’ve missed the window.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

• Assuming an existing home qualifies for the FHOG. It doesn’t. Only new, off-the-plan, or substantially renovated homes qualify. Existing homes may still get the stamp duty exemption.
• Missing the stamp duty exemption because you only looked at the FHOG. The FHBAS often delivers a bigger overall benefit and applies to a wider range of properties.
• Not checking the 12-month residency rule before settling. Failing to notify Revenue NSW of a change in circumstances, such as moving out early or renting the property, can trigger repayment of the grant and other penalties.
• Confusing the FHOG with the First Home Guarantee. One is a cash payment. The other is a deposit and LMI waiver. Neither replaces the other.
• Assuming there’s an income limit on the FHOG or FHBAS. There isn’t. The income caps only apply to the federal First Home Guarantee.
• Waiting until after signing a contract to check eligibility. Some caps, like the FHOG purchase price threshold, are strict cut-offs. Sitting even marginally over the line can disqualify you entirely.

Expert Tips for Maximising Your First Home Buyer Support in NSW

• Get your eligibility mapped before you start inspecting properties, not after you’ve found “the one.” Price caps affect what you should be shopping for from day one.
• Ask whether the grant can form part of your deposit. Most lenders allow it, though they’ll typically still want to see genuine savings held for a period of time.
• Budget a buffer beyond settlement. Lenders, and common sense, favour first home buyers who don’t go to zero the moment they get the keys.
• Use a broker to coordinate multiple schemes at once, since the FHOG, FHBAS, and federal schemes each have separate criteria and paperwork, and timing them correctly around settlement matters.
• Re-check thresholds before signing, since grant amounts, price caps, and income limits are reviewed periodically and can shift with each state or federal budget.

Conclusion

NSW first home buyers in 2026 have more support on the table than most people realise: a cash grant, stamp duty relief, and federal schemes that can reduce your deposit or top it up through super. The challenge isn’t a lack of assistance, it’s knowing which combination of schemes you actually qualify for, and structuring your purchase so none of it gets left on the table.

Since eligibility rules, price caps, and income thresholds are reviewed regularly, the safest approach is to have your situation assessed before you sign anything, not after.

Ready to Find Out What You Qualify For?

Every first home buyer’s situation is different, and the right combination of grants, stamp duty relief, and loan structure depends on your income, deposit, and the type of property you’re after. Speak with the Skyline Brokers team for a free assessment of every scheme you’re eligible for, explore our First Home Buyers service page, or use our Stamp Duty Calculator and Borrowing Power Calculator to get a clearer picture before you start house hunting.

This article is general information only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Grant amounts, price caps, and eligibility criteria are set by Revenue NSW and the Australian Government and are subject to change. Always confirm current details with Revenue NSW, Housing Australia, or your Skyline Brokers mortgage broker before making a decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the First Home Owner Grant means-tested in NSW?

No. There is no income limit for the NSW FHOG or the FHBAS stamp duty exemption. Income caps only apply to the federal First Home Guarantee.

Can I get the FHOG for an established (existing) home?

No. The FHOG is strictly for new builds, off-the-plan purchases, and substantially renovated properties. Existing homes can still qualify for the stamp duty exemption under the FHBAS.

What happens if I don’t live in the property for the required period?

You must notify Revenue NSW immediately if your circumstances change. You may be required to repay the grant, and non-disclosure can result in penalties.

Can permanent residents claim the NSW First Home Owner Grant?

Yes, as long as at least one applicant is an Australian citizen or permanent resident and all other criteria are met.

Can I combine the FHOG with the First Home Guarantee?

Yes. They are separate schemes assessed against different criteria, a cash grant and a deposit or LMI solution, and eligible buyers can generally access both.

Do I need to apply to Revenue NSW myself?

Usually not. Your lender or mortgage broker lodges the FHOG application as part of your home loan and coordinates stamp duty concessions with your solicitor or conveyancer.