Buying your first home in New South Wales is expensive, so every dollar of government financial assistance counts. Many first home buyers do not realise how much help is available to buy your first home sooner. The good news is that first home buyer grants NSW offers can be combined with stamp duty savings and federal schemes. Used together, they can cut tens of thousands of dollars from your upfront costs. The catch is that each one has its own price caps, eligibility rules and residence requirements.
This 2026 first home buyers guide explains the eligibility criteria for the $10,000 First Home Owner Grant NSW offers, the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme for stamp duty, and the federal schemes you can use alongside them. It is written by Rajesh Kandel of Everest Home Loans, a Nepali-speaking mortgage broker who helps Nepali and Hindi-speaking first home buyers in Sydney and across NSW.
Key Takeaways
The NSW First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) pays $10,000 for a new home up to $600,000, or land and a build up to $750,000 combined. It does not apply to established homes.
The First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme gives a full stamp duty exemption on homes up to $800,000 and a concession up to $1 million, for new and established homes.
At least one buyer must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, so most temporary visa holders cannot apply on their own.
For contracts signed from 1 July 2023, you must move in within 12 months and live there for 12 continuous months.
You can combine NSW help with the federal 5% Deposit Scheme, Help to Buy and the First Home Super Saver Scheme.
Table of Contents
- What First Home Buyer Grants and Schemes in NSW Are Available?
- What Is the First Home Owner Grant in NSW?
- Who Is Eligible for the First Home Owner Grant?
- How Much First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Do You Pay in NSW?
- Which Federal Schemes Can NSW First Home Buyers Use?
- How Do You Apply for the First Home Owner Grant?
- How Can a Nepali Mortgage Broker in Sydney Help?
- The Takeaway
- Frequently Asked Questions
What First Home Buyer Grants and Schemes in NSW Are Available?
Government grants and schemes are designed to help first home buyers into home ownership. First home buyers in NSW can access five main types of help in 2026:
First Home Owner (New Homes) Grant: a $10,000 NSW Government payment for new homes.
First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme (often called the first home buyer assistance scheme): a NSW stamp duty exemption or concession for new and established homes and vacant land.
5% Deposit Scheme (First Home Guarantee): a federal guarantee that lets you buy with a 5% deposit and no lenders mortgage insurance.
Help to Buy: a federal shared equity scheme where the government contributes part of the purchase price.
First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS): lets you save part of your deposit inside your super fund with tax benefits.
Each scheme has its own rules, so the right mix depends on your budget, the type of property and your residency status.
What Is the First Home Owner Grant in NSW?
The First Home Owner (New Homes) Grant is a one-off $10,000 payment from the NSW Government, administered by Revenue NSW. The grant is only available for new homes, so it suits first home buyers who buy or build a new home. That means a home that has never been lived in or sold as a place of residence, an off-the-plan purchase, a home you build, or a substantially renovated home. The grant does not apply to established homes bought on the resale market, even if they are only a few years old.
The property value must sit under these caps to receive the grant:
| Property type | Price cap |
|---|---|
| New or substantially renovated house, townhouse, apartment or unit | $600,000 |
| Vacant land plus a building contract (land, build and variations combined) | $750,000 |
| Comprehensive home building contract or owner builder (house and land) | $750,000 |
Only one $10,000 grant is paid per home, no matter how many buyers are on the title.
Who Is Eligible for the First Home Owner Grant?
To qualify for the first home owner grant, eligible first home buyers must:
Be at least 18 years old and apply as an individual, not through a company or trust.
Include at least one Australian citizen or permanent resident among the buyers.
Not have owned a home in Australia before 1 July 2000, or owned and lived in a home in Australia after that date. This applies to you and your spouse or partner.
Not have received a first home owner grant in any Australian state or territory before.
You also need to meet the residence requirement:
Contracts signed on or after 1 July 2023: you must move into the home within 12 months of settlement or completion and live in the home for at least 12 continuous months as your principal place of residence.
Contracts signed before 1 July 2023: move in within 12 months and live there for at least 6 continuous months.
A few situations often confuse buyers:
Owning property overseas, for example in Nepal or India, does not affect your eligibility. Only property in Australia counts.
Temporary visa holders, such as 482, 485 or student visa holders, cannot apply alone. If your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident and buys with you, the household may qualify. Read our guide to home loans for 482 visa holders.
Permanent members of the Australian Defence Force may be exempt from the residence requirement in some cases.
If you move out before meeting the residence requirement, you must tell Revenue NSW and repay the grant. Penalties and interest can apply if you do not.
How Much First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Do You Pay in NSW?
Stamp duty, also called transfer duty, is often a bigger cost than the grant is worth. The NSW First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme reduces or removes it for eligible buyers. Unlike the grant, these stamp duty concessions cover a new or existing home, plus vacant land you plan to build on. Below the threshold you are exempt from stamp duty altogether.
| Property | Full exemption (no stamp duty) | Concession (reduced stamp duty) |
|---|---|---|
| New or established home | Up to $800,000 | Above $800,000 and below $1,000,000 |
| Vacant land | Up to $350,000 | Above $350,000 and below $450,000 |
To get duty relief under the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme, you and your partner must not have previously owned a home or any residential property in Australia, at least one buyer must be a citizen or permanent resident, and you must meet the same 12-month residence rule. Use our stamp duty calculator to estimate your costs.
Example: a first home buyer purchasing a new $600,000 apartment in Western Sydney could receive the $10,000 grant and pay no stamp duty at all. The same buyer purchasing an established $750,000 unit would not get the grant, but would still pay no stamp duty.
Which Federal Schemes Can NSW First Home Buyers Use?
You can combine NSW grants and stamp duty relief with these Australian Government schemes:
5% Deposit Scheme (First Home Guarantee). Buy with a 5% deposit and avoid lenders mortgage insurance. Since 1 October 2025 there is no limit on places and no income test, and the price cap is $1.5 million in Sydney and NSW regional centres.
Help to Buy. The government can contribute up to 40% of the price of a new home, or up to 30% for an existing home, so you need a smaller deposit and loan. Income and property price caps apply.
First Home Super Saver Scheme. Make voluntary super contributions and later withdraw them, plus associated earnings, for your deposit.
These federal schemes also require Australian citizenship or permanent residency, and each has its own lender and property rules. Learn more in our guides on how much deposit you need and guarantor loans.
How Do You Apply for the First Home Owner Grant?
There are two ways to apply:
Through your lender. If you want the grant paid at settlement or at the first progress payment of a build, your bank or lender lodges the application as an approved agent. Your mortgage broker prepares the paperwork and submits it with your loan.
Directly with Revenue NSW. If you have already settled or finished building, apply through the Revenue NSW online portal within 12 months of settlement or completion.
You will usually need:
Proof of identity, such as a passport or birth certificate
Proof of citizenship or permanent residency for at least one buyer
The signed contract of sale or building contract
Evidence that the home is new or substantially renovated, where needed
Getting a home loan pre-approval before you start house hunting also helps you know your budget and which grants you can use.
Tip: Check the grant and stamp duty caps before you make an offer. Going even $1 over a cap can mean missing out on thousands of dollars.
How Can a Nepali Mortgage Broker in Sydney Help?
Grant rules, stamp duty thresholds and federal schemes are easier to understand in your own language. Everest Home Loans is a Nepali mortgage broker in Sydney trusted by Nepali and Hindi-speaking families across NSW. Rajesh Kandel speaks Nepali, Hindi and English and has helped first home buyers since 2015.
More than 1,500 home loans and $400 million settled
450+ five-star Google reviews and a 5.0 rating
Platinum Broker status with Commonwealth Bank, Westpac and NAB
Access to 40+ lenders
Experience with permanent residents, partner visas, nurses and other professionals
We check which grants and schemes you qualify for, compare lenders and prepare your grant paperwork with your loan application. New to Australia? Read our 2026 guide to buying your first home as a Nepali migrant, or see why many families choose the Nepali mortgage broker team at Everest Home Loans.
The Takeaway
NSW first home buyers can receive a $10,000 grant for a new home up to $600,000, or land and a build up to $750,000. They can also pay no stamp duty on homes up to $800,000, with reduced duty up to $1 million, and combine both with the 5% Deposit Scheme or Help to Buy. Check the caps, meet the residence rules and plan your purchase around them. To find out exactly what you qualify for, book a free consultation in Nepali, Hindi or English with Everest Home Loans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There Still a First Home Buyers Grant in NSW?
Yes. The $10,000 First Home Owner (New Homes) Grant is still available in 2026 for new homes up to $600,000, or land and a build up to $750,000. The First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme also still provides stamp duty relief for first-time home buyers.
How Much Is Stamp Duty on a $750,000 House in NSW for a First Home Buyer?
If you are an eligible first-time buyer, you pay no stamp duty on a $750,000 house, because it is under the $800,000 full exemption threshold. Buyers who are not eligible pay full transfer duty, which is a large cost at that price. Check your figure with our stamp duty calculator.
Can I Buy a House With a $20,000 Deposit in NSW?
Possibly. Under the 5% Deposit Scheme, $20,000 is a 5% deposit on a $400,000 property, and Help to Buy can require as little as 2%. You also need to cover other costs, and lenders still check that you can afford the home loan. A broker can tell you what price range is realistic for you.
Can I Get the First Home Owner Grant If I Buy an Established Home in NSW?
No. The NSW grant only applies to new or substantially renovated homes. If you buy an established home, you may still pay no stamp duty or reduced stamp duty under the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme, and you may be able to use the 5% Deposit Scheme.
Can Couples Buying Together Each Claim a Separate Grant?
No. Only one $10,000 grant is paid per home, however many buyers are on the title. If either partner has owned a home in Australia before, the couple may not be eligible.
Can Permanent Residents Get the First Home Owner Grant in NSW?
Yes. Permanent residents are eligible on the same terms as citizens. At least one buyer must be a citizen or permanent resident, so a temporary visa holder buying with a PR or citizen partner may also qualify.
Does Owning Property Overseas Affect My Eligibility?
No. Owning a home in Nepal, India or any other country does not stop you from claiming NSW first home buyer grants or stamp duty relief. Only property owned in Australia counts.
What Happens If I Do Not Meet the Residence Requirement?
You must notify Revenue NSW and repay the grant, and any stamp duty you saved may also become payable. Penalties and interest can apply, so contact Revenue NSW as soon as your plans change.
Can I Combine the First Home Owner Grant With Other Schemes?
Yes. Eligible buyers can combine the $10,000 grant with the stamp duty exemption or concession, and with federal schemes such as the 5% Deposit Scheme, Help to Buy or the First Home Super Saver Scheme. A mortgage broker can work out the best combination for your situation.
This article is general information only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Grant amounts, thresholds and eligibility rules can change, so confirm details with Revenue NSW and Housing Australia before you act.
