The First Home Guarantee (FHBG) is an Australian Government initiative to help first home buyers buy their first home. Eligible first home buyers can buy or build a home with a deposit of as little as 5% (lenders criteria apply). The government guarantees 15% of the home so eligible buyers do not need to pay the traditional Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

There are no income caps, and unlimited places which means it is accessible to more first home buyers. The property price caps were lifted in 2025 to $850,000 in metro WA and $600,000 in non-metro (including South West).

First Home Guarantee Eligibility Requirements:

• You haven’t owned or had an interest in a property in Australia in the last 10 years.
• You are an eligible first home buyer
• You are an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident
• You are 18 years of age, or older
• You possess a deposit of at least 5% in genuine savings
• You meet property price threshold requirements
• Applying as an individual, couple (married/ de facto), or joint application with friends and family.

The Family Home Guarantee helps single parents get into (or back into) the property market. Single parents or legal guardians with at least one dependent will be able to buy a home with a deposit of just 2%. The Government will then guarantee the remaining 18%. This means no Lenders Mortgage Insurance, which we know can be a barrier for people building their own home.

Family Home Guarantee eligibility requirements:

• You do not currently own a home in Australia
• You’re a single parent or legal guardian with at least one dependant living with you, this includes aunts, uncles and grandparents
• You’re an Australian citizen, or Permanent Resident
• You’re 18 years of age, or older
• You earn no more than 125k annually
• You possess a deposit of at least 2% in genuine savings
• Your property meets price threshold requirements.

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a massive win for first home buyers who choose to build. The State Government gives you a one-off payment of $10,000 to help with your loan. The best part is, you don’t need to pay it back! There are a few basic requirements you need to meet in order to be eligible.

FHOG eligibility requirements:

• You have never owned property in Australia (or if you have, it was prior July 2000)
• You are an Australian citizen, or a permanent resident at the time of applying
• You are 18 years of age, or older
• You must live in the home you wish to build (owner-occupier)
• You meet all property price eligibility criteria for this scheme (up to $750,000 in the Perth Metro Area)

First Home Owner Grant WA (FHOG)

The First Home Super Saver scheme  (FHSS) allows first home buyers to save money for their home inside their super fund. Eligible first home buyers who make voluntary contributions into their super can withdraw these amounts (in addition to associated earnings / less tax) to help with a home deposit. If you’re eligible, the maximum amount of contributions that can be withdrawn under the scheme is up to $50,000, but you don’t need that much to get started!

FHSS eligibility requirements:

• You’re 18 years old or older
• You’ve never owned any property in Australia
• You have never had funds released from superannuation through this scheme

Eligible Personal Voluntary Super Contributions

• Even though you can’t withdraw until you’re 18, you can start saving before you turn 18.
• You can save a maximum of $15,000 per financial year.
• When you’re ready, you can withdraw up to $50,000 of saving across all years. (Completing a FHSS determination will tell you the maximum amount you can withdraw).

The Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme helps eligible home buyers purchase a home sooner through a shared equity arrangement.

That means the Government contributes a portion of your home’s purchase price (as an interest-free loan), so you can buy with a smaller deposit and potentially borrow less. In return, the Government owns the same percentage share in your home’s value.

Eligible buyers may be able to buy or build a home with as little as a 2% deposit, with the Government contributing up to 40% for a new home or up to 30% for an existing home. You don’t pay rent or interest to the Government while you live in your home, and you don’t make monthly repayments to them.

Help to Buy Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible for the Help to Buy Scheme, you must:

• Be an Australian citizen

• Be 18 years of age or older

• Live in the home as your principal place of residence (it can’t be an investment property)

• Meet income eligibility criteria (based on your most recent ATO Notice of Assessment):

  • $100,000 or less for individual applicants

  • $160,000 or less combined for joint applicants

  • $160,000 or less for single parents

• Not currently own property in Australia or overseas (with some exceptions for eligible single parents)

• Be able to contribute a minimum 2% deposit

• Meet the scheme’s financial capacity test through a participating lender

• Purchase a property that fits within the property price caps for your state/area

What you can buy with Help to Buy

You can use Help to Buy to purchase:

• A new or existing home (house, townhouse, apartment, unit or duplex)

• A vacant block of land + build, as long as you have a qualifying building contract in place

Just keep in mind: your home must fall under the maximum property price cap for the location you’re buying in.

Government Contribution (Shared Equity)

Under Help to Buy, the Government may contribute:

• Between 5% and 30% if you buy an existing home

• Between 5% and 40% if you buy or build a new home

And the best part? You can choose to buy back the Government’s share over time (in steps or all at once) as your finances grow — helping you move toward full ownership.

The Keystart Skilled Start Home Loan is a low deposit home loan designed to help eligible Western Australians (like apprentices, graduates and skilled workers) buy their first home sooner. If you qualify, you could purchase with as little as a 2% deposit, and you won’t need to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). It’s a great option if you’re early in your career and want to make home ownership feel more achievable.

Skilled Start Home Loan Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible, you must meet Keystart’s loan requirements and be one of the following:

• An apprentice currently in training, or completed an apprenticeship within the last 5 years

• A graduate who completed a qualification (Cert III or higher) within the last 5 years

• A skilled worker in building and construction, working in an eligible role with a start date within the last 5 years

Skilled Start Home Loan Key Benefits

• Buy with a minimum 2% deposit

• No LMI (saving you money upfront)

• May include a discounted interest rate

• Access to free financial coaching and support