First Home Owner Grant QLD: The $30,000 Guide for 2026

Queensland currently offers the highest state-level First Home Owner Grant in Australia — $30,000 in tax-free cash for eligible new home purchases. That figure drops to $15,000 on 1 July 2026. If you are buying or building, the clock is running.

This guide covers every eligibility rule, the lesser-known schemes that stack on top of the FHOG, and the traps that disqualify buyers at the last moment.

The $30,000 FHOG: What It Is and Who Qualifies

The Queensland First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a direct, non-means-tested cash payment administered by the Queensland Revenue Office (QRO). The grant was doubled from $15,000 to $30,000 in November 2023 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026.

To qualify, you must meet all of the following:

Property requirements:

• The home must be brand new — never previously occupied or sold as a place of residence. This includes house-and-land packages, off-the-plan apartments or townhouses, substantially renovated homes (where almost the entire structure has been physically replaced), and owner-built homes where foundations are laid before 30 June 2026.
• The total value of the property — land, building contract, and all post-signing variations combined — must not exceed $750,000. Even a minor upgrade approved after contract signing (premium flooring, upgraded cabinetry) that pushes the total past this cap will forfeit the entire grant.

Personal requirements:

• You must be a natural person aged 18 or older (companies and trusts cannot apply).
• At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Neither you nor your spouse or de facto partner can have previously owned residential property in Australia that you lived in.

Residency obligation:

• At least one applicant must move into the completed home within 12 months of settlement or construction completion, then live there continuously for at least six months. Failing this triggers a mandatory repayment order from the QRO.

There is no income test. Eligibility rests entirely on prior property ownership history and the property value.

The June 2026 Deadline

On 1 July 2026, the grant reverts to $15,000. For anyone building, the contract must be signed (or foundations laid for owner-builders) before that date to capture the boosted amount. A $15,000 difference in non-repayable cash is not a rounding error — it covers a significant portion of your transaction costs or deposit gap.

Buyers who are mid-negotiation or still comparing house-and-land packages should factor this deadline explicitly into their timeline.

Four Other Programs You Can Stack with the FHOG

The FHOG does not operate in isolation. Queensland buyers can combine it with federal and state programs to significantly reduce the upfront cash needed at settlement.

1. First Home Guarantee (FHG)

The federal First Home Guarantee allows eligible buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). Since 1 October 2025, income caps have been removed and the annual allocation is unlimited. Price caps apply: $1,000,000 for South East Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast) and $700,000 for regional Queensland.

On a $700,000 new build, combining the FHG with the FHOG means you pay no LMI (saving approximately $24,000), pay $0 in transfer duty (uncapped exemption for new builds from 1 May 2025), and receive $30,000 in grant money. The total cash required at settlement can fall below $10,000 on a $750,000 purchase when these programs are layered correctly.

2. First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS)

The federal FHSS allows you to make voluntary contributions to your superannuation fund and later withdraw them, along with associated earnings, for a home deposit. You can withdraw up to $50,000 under the scheme. Because contributions are taxed at only 15% going in (rather than your marginal rate), the FHSS effectively increases how much of your savings you keep. You apply for a FHSS determination from the ATO before requesting a release.

In Queensland, combining FHSS savings with the $30,000 FHOG provides a meaningful boost to buyers who have been systematically saving through super.

3. Queensland Housing Finance Loan

A state-administered low-deposit home loan for buyers who have stable incomes but cannot save a full 20% deposit. It requires a minimum 2% deposit and waives the need for LMI. Under a regional trial running until 30 June 2026, gross household income eligibility limits are raised to $201,000 for regional areas (compared to $141,000 in non-regional areas).

This program is particularly useful for buyers in Ipswich, Logan, or other regional growth corridors who meet the income threshold but lack deposit savings.

4. Boost to Buy Scheme

A Queensland Government shared equity program where the government contributes up to 30% of the purchase price for a new home (or 25% for an existing home). This reduces both the required deposit (minimum 2% on properties up to $1,000,000) and ongoing mortgage repayments. As of early 2026, allocations for South East Queensland were exhausted — only regional allocations remain active. The scheme operates exclusively through Unity Bank as the primary lender.

The Construction Variation Trap

The $750,000 FHOG cap applies to the total value of land, build contract, and all approved variations. Builders routinely present upgrade options during construction — upgraded benchtops, tiling, fencing, driveway. Each variation is added to the contract price.

If the cumulative total crosses $750,000 — even by $1 — you lose the entire $30,000 grant. This is one of the most common ways buyers forfeit grant eligibility. Before approving any variation, check the running total against the cap. Confirm with your mortgage broker and the QRO before signing.

How the Grant Is Paid

For established lenders, the FHOG is typically paid at settlement — the funds are credited directly to reduce the amount owing. For owner-builders who must lay foundations before 30 June 2026, the grant is paid after the slab is poured and a progress certificate is issued.

Apply through your lender (they act as agent for the QRO) or directly through the QRO's online portal. You will need contract of sale documents, building contract, personal identification, and evidence of Australian citizenship or permanent residency.

Common Eligibility Mistakes

Buying established instead of new. The FHOG is restricted to new homes. An established property — regardless of how recently it was built — does not qualify unless it has undergone a "substantial renovation" as defined by the legislation.

Using a company or trust. Only natural persons can apply. If your purchase structure involves a company or trust (for asset protection purposes), you are ineligible.

Previous property ownership. Even if you previously owned a property in another state that you never lived in, that may not trigger exclusion — the rule applies to residential property you resided in. However, if your spouse owned and lived in a property prior to your relationship, you are excluded. Check your specific situation with the QRO or your solicitor before assuming eligibility.

Partner's prior ownership. Your partner's prior property history counts even if they are not on the title of the new purchase. Both applicants (and their spouses or de facto partners) must have clean ownership histories.

If you want a step-by-step walkthrough of the entire Queensland buying process — from FHOG application to settlement day — including checklists, cost worksheets, and timeline templates, the Queensland First Home Buyer Guide covers the complete process in one place.

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