NSW · New South Wales
Buying Your First Home in New South Wales
New South Wales offers some of Australia's most generous stamp duty exemptions for first home buyers, alongside the federal First Home Guarantee and the federal Help to Buy shared-equity scheme. Sydney's prices are high — but the savings on duty and grants meaningfully reduce what you actually need upfront.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know — the grant amount, stamp duty rules, eligibility criteria, state-specific lenders or shared-equity programs, and the step-by-step application process. The official authority for grants and duty in your state is the Revenue NSW.
The First Home Owner Grant in New South Wales
$10,000
First Home Owner Grant (New Homes Scheme) — paid for buying or building a brand new home.
Property value cap of $600,000 (purchase) or $750,000 (building contract or vacant land + new home).
How It Works
The $10,000 grant is paid by Revenue NSW once the home is settled (purchase) or construction is complete (build). It's typically claimed through your lender alongside your home loan settlement, but you can also apply directly via Revenue NSW's portal. Established homes are not eligible.
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Speak With Our Trusted TeamStamp Duty Concessions
Under the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme, eligible NSW first home buyers pay no transfer duty on homes up to $800,000 and a concessional rate up to $1,000,000. This applies to both new and existing homes used as a principal place of residence.
Stamp Duty Savings at a Glance
- New or existing homes up to $800,000Full exemption
- New or existing homes $800,000 – $1,000,000Concessional rate
- Vacant land up to $350,000Full exemption
- Vacant land $350,000 – $450,000Concessional rate
These concessions apply automatically when you meet the eligibility criteria. Your conveyancer or settlement agent will handle the calculations and lodge the exemption application as part of settlement.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for New South Wales's first home buyer support, you typically need to meet the following criteria. The exact wording varies by scheme — your specialist will confirm the details for your situation.
- Australian citizen or permanent resident, aged 18+
- Must not have previously owned residential property in Australia
- Must occupy the home as principal place of residence for at least 12 continuous months within 12 months of completion
- At least one applicant must satisfy the residence requirement
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Beyond the FHOG and stamp duty concessions, New South Wales buyers can layer on state-specific and federal programs. The right combination depends on your income, deposit, and the type of property you're after.
First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme
Stamp duty exemption / concession on homes up to $1M and vacant land up to $450K.
Help to Buy (Federal)
Government contributes up to 40% (new) or 30% (existing) with a 2% deposit. Applications opened 5 December 2025; from 1 July 2026 the income limits are $103,000 (single) and $165,000 (joint or single parent), with 10,000 places per financial year allocated first-come, first-served. The NSW Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper closed to new applicants in 2024 and Help to Buy is its national successor.
5% Deposit Scheme (Federal)
The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme — formerly the First Home Guarantee. Buy with a 5% deposit (2% for single parents) and no LMI. No income caps and no limit on places since 1 October 2025; location-based property price caps still apply.
Step-by-Step: How to Buy Your First Home
Assess Your Finances and Get Pre-Approved
Speak with a mortgage broker or finance specialist who knows first home buyer products. They'll assess your income, expenses, and savings to determine your borrowing capacity, and which products (state-specific lenders, the federal 5% Deposit Scheme — formerly the First Home Guarantee — or standard lending) suit your situation.
Understand the Grants You Qualify For
Confirm exactly what you can claim in New South Wales — the $10,000 FHOG (where available), stamp duty concessions, and any state-specific schemes you're eligible for. Layering them correctly can save you tens of thousands.
Choose Your Property Type and Location
Decide between a new build, off-the-plan, or established home — keeping in mind that grants like the FHOG only apply to new homes in most states. Pick a location that suits your work, family, and lifestyle, and check the price caps that apply to grants and concessions in that bracket.
Apply for the FHOG and Other Grants
Your lender or broker typically lodges the FHOG application alongside your home loan. You can also apply directly through Revenue NSW. Have your ID, proof of citizenship/PR, and property details ready.
Sign Contracts and Arrange Finance
Once you've chosen your home, sign your contracts (and a separate building contract if it's a new build) and finalise your home loan. Your conveyancer or settlement agent manages the legal side, including stamp duty exemption applications.
Settlement or Construction
For an existing home or off-the-plan completion, settlement typically happens within 30–90 days. For a new build, construction usually takes 6–12 months, with progress payments aligned to building stages (slab, frame, lock-up, fixing, completion).
Move In and Meet the Residence Requirements
Move in within the timeframe required by your state — typically 12 months — and live in the home as your principal place of residence for the minimum continuous period (usually 6 or 12 months). The grant and concessions you've claimed depend on satisfying this.
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Speak With Our Trusted TeamFrequently Asked Questions (NSW)
Official information for New South Wales comes from Revenue NSW. Always confirm current grant amounts, price caps, and concessions with the authority before signing contracts. The figures on this page were last checked against the state and territory revenue authorities on 29 July 2026.
Visit Revenue NSWDownload the Guide as a PDF
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Information is general in nature and current at the time of writing. Schemes and amounts are reviewed regularly. This is not financial or legal advice — speak with a qualified specialist before acting.
