Help to Buy Shared Equity Scheme

The Australian Government will be launching the "Help to Buy" Scheme from the 5th of December, 2025. Under this scheme, more Australians will be assisted in to their first home through a shared equity arrangement with the federal Government.

First Home Buyer Guide

Am I ready to buy a house?

What is a first home buyer?

Will I be able to get a loan?

Is my Credit History and Rental History important?

Buying versus renting

How much deposit do I need?

Understanding deposits

How to meet the banks genuine savings rules

Deposit calculator

Grants and schemes for FHB's

First Home Owner Grants

First Home Guarantee Scheme

Latest government announcements to help FHB’s

Getting finance pre-approval

Pre-approval process

Benefits of getting a pre-approval

Are all pre-approvals equal?

Mortgage brokers vs Banks?

Why use a mortgage broker?

How much does a mortgage broker cost?

Are all mortgage brokers equal?

How to buy a property

Pre-approval process

Benefits of getting a pre-approval

Are all pre-approvals equal?

Preparing for settlement

Going unconditional on the property contract

What does a converyancer/solicitor do for a property purchase?

What happens on the day of settlement?

Managing your mortgage

Understanding loan repayments

Extra repayments, redraw and offset accounts

When is the right time to review your home loan?

How does the Help to Buy Scheme work?

Under the scheme, the federal Government will contribute a percentage of the purchase price of established and new homes, reducing the deposit burden on first home buyers. Eligible Australians will only need a 2% deposit, with the balance being loaned by one of two lenders: Commonwealth Bank and Bank Australia.

While the bank loan will be paid in regular instalments as usual, the Government’s stake will only need to be repaid once the home is sold. Accepted applicants will also get the opportunity to make voluntary repayments to the Government. Applicants may also buy back all, or a portion of, the Government’s equity through additional lending.

At this stage, Australians in all states and territories except for Western Australia will have access to this arrangement. Western Australians are expected to access this scheme from early 2026

Am I eligible for the Help to Buy Scheme?

Under the new scheme, applicants must:

Be at least 18 years of age
Have a 2% deposit
Satisfy the income requirements (below)
Must live in the home as principle place of residents (investment properties ineligible)
Not have owned any property in Australia or overseas
Not have received help from other Australian Government schemes

Under this new scheme, applicants will still be able to benefit from other stamp duty concessions or exemptions and Government grants.

What is the income cap under the Help to buy Scheme

What is the income cap for the Help to Buy Scheme

At present, eligible applicants must have an annual taxable income at or below:

$100,000 for individual applicants
$160,000 for joint applicants
$160,000 for single parents

What are the property price caps for the Help to Buy Scheme?

State	Capital city / regional centre	Rest of state
New South Wales	$1,300,000	$800,000
Victoria	$950,000	$650,000
Queensland	$1,000,000	$700,000
Western Australia	$850,000	$600,000
South Australia	$900,000	$500,000
Tasmania	$700,000	$550,000
Australian Capital Territory	$1,000,000	n/a
Northern Territory	$600,000	$600,000
Jervis Bay Territory and Norfolk Island	n/a	$550,000
Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands	n/a	$400,000

What are the property caps under the help to buy scheme

FAQs

What is the Help to Buy Scheme?

A federal program helping first-home buyers by contributing to the purchase price through shared equity.

How does it work?

You need a 2% deposit. The government pays part of the price, and you get a loan from CBA or Bank Australia. Government equity is repaid when you sell or through voluntary payments.