ACT First Home Buyer Calculator
Calculate first home buyer benefits in the ACT. The ACT no longer pays a cash FHOG (abolished 1 July 2019) but offers the Home Buyer Concession Scheme — from 1 July 2026 a full stamp duty exemption with no property value cap or income test, the most generous in Australia.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for general information purposes only. Results should not be relied upon as professional financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax rates and thresholds are based on publicly available ATO data and may change. Always consult a qualified tax agent or financial adviser for advice specific to your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)?
Do first home buyers get stamp duty exemption?
What is the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)?
What is the First Home Guarantee?
Should I buy new or established to maximise benefits?
What is ACT First Home Buyer?
First home buyer benefits in Australia include the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG), stamp duty exemptions, and the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS). Eligibility and amounts vary by state.
How this calculator works
This calculator checks your eligibility for first home buyer benefits in your chosen state. It looks up the FHOG amount (ranging from $10,000 in NSW/VIC/WA to $50,000 in the NT, with QLD at $30,000 and TAS at $20,000 from 1 July 2026; the ACT no longer pays a cash grant — it uses a stamp-duty concession instead), checks whether your property price qualifies for stamp duty exemption or concession, estimates Lenders Mortgage Insurance if your deposit is below 20%, and calculates your total savings compared to a standard buyer. The LVR (Loan-to-Value Ratio) indicator shows your risk level.
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
Cash grant from state government, usually for NEW homes only (new builds, off-the-plan, substantially renovated). Amounts 2026-27: QLD $30,000 (extended in the 2026-27 Budget), TAS $20,000 (reduced from $30,000 on 1 July 2026), SA $15,000, NSW $10,000, VIC $10,000, WA $10,000, NT $50,000 (HomeGrown Territory Grant). The ACT abolished its FHOG from 1 July 2019 and replaced it with the Home Buyer Concession Scheme (a stamp-duty concession rather than a cash grant). Property value caps apply (e.g. NSW $750k new build cap). The grant is paid at settlement or shortly after — used to reduce mortgage rather than received as cash.
Stamp Duty Concessions
Usually applies to ESTABLISHED homes (not just new). Saves more money than FHOG for most buyers. NSW: full exemption up to $800k, concession to $1M. VIC: exemption to $600k, concession to $750k. QLD: concession to $700k. WA: exemption to $430k. ACT: full exemption to $1M (most generous). On a $750k home in NSW, the saving is ~$28k — bigger than any state's FHOG. Don't just chase the cash grant; compare total savings.
First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)
Save your deposit INSIDE super at the 15% concessional tax rate, then withdraw up to $50,000 (plus deemed earnings) for your first home. Contributions are limited to $15,000/yr. Withdrawals are taxed at your marginal rate MINUS a 30% offset — effectively much lower than your normal tax rate. Average benefit: $5,000-$15,000 of extra deposit compared to saving outside super. Apply via ATO at least 6 months before purchase.
First Home Guarantee (Federal)
Federal government guarantees up to 15% of your purchase price, letting you buy with just 5% deposit WITHOUT Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Saves $10k-$30k in LMI typically. From 1 October 2025 the scheme was significantly expanded: income caps were ABOLISHED entirely (previously $125k single / $200k couple) and the 35,000 annual place limit was REMOVED — places are now unlimited. Property price caps now vary by location: Sydney $1.5M, Melbourne $950k, Brisbane $1M, Perth $850k, Adelaide $900k, Hobart $700k, Canberra $1M, Darwin $600k; rest-of-state caps differ per state (NSW $800k, VIC $650k, QLD $700k, WA $600k, SA $500k, TAS $550k, NT $600k).
Total Maximum First Home Buyer Savings
Stacking schemes a first home buyer in NSW could receive: $10,000 FHOG (if new build) + $28,000 stamp duty saving (under $800k) + $10,000 LMI saving (via First Home Guarantee) + $5,000-$10,000 FHSSS benefit = total $50k-$60k of government support. Worth taking time to set up properly — eligibility checks, applications, and FHSSS deposits often need 6+ months lead time.
Pitfalls and Genuine Savings Requirements
(1) 'Genuine savings' — most banks require 3-5% of purchase price saved over 3-6 months, not gifts or grants. (2) 'First home' definition — you must NEVER have owned property in Australia (including overseas property doesn't disqualify in most states). (3) Owner-occupation — most schemes require you live in the home for 6-12 months after settlement. (4) Tax debt or HECS-HELP arrears can disqualify you from FHSSS withdrawals.
Updated for the 2026-27 financial year (1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027).
Official Sources
All calculations are performed in your browser — your data never leaves your device. Results are for general guidance only and should not be considered professional financial advice.
Built and maintained by Konstantin Iakovlev. Data sourced from the ATO and official Australian government sources.