Quick answer: Queensland offers a $30,000 First Home Owner Grant for new homes (contracts signed until June 30, 2026 — then it drops to $15,000). The property value cap is $750,000. You must be over 18, an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and never have owned residential property in Australia. Move in within 12 months and live there for 12 consecutive months. Queensland also provides zero stamp duty on new homes and vacant land with no property value cap (from May 1, 2025). Combined savings: $60,000–$80,000. Established homes get no grant and limited stamp duty relief. Apply through Queensland Revenue Office or via your lender. Updated April 2026 based on Queensland Revenue Office data.
Queensland’s first home buyer incentives changed dramatically on May 1, 2025 (Queensland Revenue Office). The stamp duty exemption for new homes was uncapped — build a $2 million home and pay zero transfer duty. The temporary $30,000 grant (extended from the standard $15,000) remains available until June 30, 2026. After that date, the grant drops to $15,000 permanently. If you need financing for your new build, read our construction loans vs home loans guide to understand how progress payments work.
The math is clear: If you’re building new in Brisbane, Gold Coast, or anywhere in Queensland, you get $30,000 upfront plus stamp duty savings of $30,000–$50,000+ (depending on property value). That’s $60K–$80K in combined savings. If you’re buying an established home under $700,000, you get zero grant and zero stamp duty. If you’re buying established $700,001–$799,999, you get zero grant and partial stamp duty relief. If you’re buying established $800,000+, you get nothing.
First Home Owner Grant ($30,000)
This is the cash grant. It comes from the Queensland Government and gets paid at settlement or during construction.
Grant Amount: $30,000
Property Value Cap: $750,000 (total value of home and land, including contract variations)
Contract Period: Contracts signed between November 20, 2023 and June 30, 2026 (source: Queensland Revenue Office)
After June 30, 2026: Grant reverts to $15,000 permanent rate (source: Queensland Government)
What counts as a “new home”:
- A home you build yourself (owner-builder)
- A home built for you by a builder (contract to build)
- A brand new home that has never been lived in (buying off-the-plan or from a developer)
- A substantially renovated home (full gut-reno, not just cosmetic)
What does NOT qualify:
- Established/existing homes (no grant at all)
- Investment properties
- Vacant land on its own (you get the grant when you build, not when you buy land)
Sources: Queensland Revenue Office (2026), Edwards & Smith (2026), Queensland Government (2026).
Zero Stamp Duty on New Homes (No Cap)
This is separate from the grant. It’s a stamp duty (transfer duty) exemption for first home buyers purchasing new homes or vacant land.
What changed on May 1, 2025: The property value cap was removed for new homes and vacant land (source: Queensland Revenue Office). First home buyers now pay zero transfer duty regardless of property value.
Examples:
- $500,000 new home: $0 stamp duty (saves ~$17,325)
- $1,000,000 new home: $0 stamp duty (saves ~$38,025)
- $2,000,000 new home: $0 stamp duty (saves ~$95,525)
This only applies to new homes and vacant land. Established homes have different rules (see below).
Sources: Edwards & Smith (2026), Stanford Financial (2026), Queensland Revenue Office (2026).
Stamp Duty on Established Homes
If you’re buying an established home, the stamp duty concession is less generous:
Under $700,000:
- Full concession — effectively zero stamp duty (home concession + first home concession stack)
$700,001 – $799,999:
- Partial concession — gradually reduces on a sliding scale
- Example: $730,000 established home pays $6,555 stamp duty (after concessions)
$800,000+:
- No concession — full stamp duty applies
- Example: $900,000 established home pays ~$43,275 stamp duty
No First Home Owner Grant for established homes. You get stamp duty relief (if under $800K), but no $30,000 cash grant.
Sources: Queensland Revenue Office (2026), Edwards & Smith (2026).
How Much Can You Save?
Stack the grant and stamp duty exemption for maximum benefit:
| Benefit | Amount | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| First Home Owner Grant | $30,000 | New home, $750K cap, until June 30 2026 |
| Stamp duty exemption (new homes) | $17,325 – $95,525+ | No property value cap |
| Total combined savings | Up to $125,525+ | Building new $2M+ home |
Example 1: Building in Brisbane Outer Suburbs (First Home Buyer)
| Scenario | Building New (Land $220K + Build $480K = $700K total) |
|---|---|
| Total property value | $700,000 |
| First Home Owner Grant | $30,000 |
| Standard stamp duty (if not FHB) | ~$26,075 |
| Stamp duty as first home buyer building new | $0 (no cap) |
| Total upfront savings | $56,075 |
You pay stamp duty on the land purchase ($220K) = ~$5,850. But when you contract the build, that $480K construction cost attracts zero stamp duty. And you get $30K cash. Total saved: $56,075 compared to buying an established $700K home with no concessions. See our Brisbane building costs guide for suburb-by-suburb construction pricing.
“Queensland’s $30,000 grant is the largest temporary FHOG in mainland Australia — but it has a hard deadline of June 30, 2026. If you’re even considering building, get your contract signed before that date. After it, you’ll receive $15,000 less for doing the exact same thing.” — Emma Whitfield, Property Finance Analyst at BuildBudget
Example 2: Buying Established Home in Brisbane (First Home Buyer)
| Scenario | Buying Established $700,000 |
|---|---|
| First Home Owner Grant | $0 (established homes don’t qualify) |
| Standard stamp duty | ~$26,075 |
| Stamp duty with first home concession | ~$0 (full concession under $700K) |
| Total saving | ~$26,075 (stamp duty only) |
No cash grant. Stamp duty is waived due to concession. But compare this to building new: you’re $30,000 worse off because you miss the FHOG.
Example 3: Buying Established Home $850K (First Home Buyer)
| Scenario | Buying Established $850,000 |
|---|---|
| First Home Owner Grant | $0 (established homes don’t qualify) |
| Standard stamp duty | ~$34,900 |
| Stamp duty concession | $0 (no concession above $800K) |
| Stamp duty payable | $34,900 |
| Total saving | $0 |
You pay full stamp duty. No grant. This is the worst outcome for first home buyers. If you’re spending $850K on a home, building new would save you $64,900 ($30K grant + ~$34,900 stamp duty).
See your Queensland first home buyer savings
Our calculator shows total project cost including grants and stamp duty for Brisbane and Gold Coast.
Who Is Eligible?
Tick every box or you don’t qualify:
For First Home Owner Grant ($30K):
- Never owned property in Australia — Not just Queensland, anywhere in Australia. If you owned a house in Sydney 10 years ago, you’re out.
- Over 18 years of age (all applicants)
- Australian citizen or permanent resident (at least one applicant if buying with partner)
- Principal place of residence — Move in within 12 months, live there for at least 12 consecutive months
- Not a company or trust — Must be natural persons
- Property value under $750,000 — Total value of home and land, including contract variations (Queensland Revenue Office)
For Stamp Duty Concession (new homes/vacant land):
- Never held interest in another residence anywhere in the world — This is stricter than the FHOG rule. Previous overseas property ownership disqualifies you.
- Over 18 years of age (all applicants)
- Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Principal place of residence — Move in within 12 months of settlement
- Acquiring as an individual — Not a company
- No property value cap — for new homes and vacant land (from May 1, 2025) (Queensland Revenue Office)
For Stamp Duty Concession (established homes):
- Same eligibility as above
- Property value under $800,000 — Concession phases out between $700K–$799,999, nil above $800K
Important: There’s no income test in Queensland. High earners qualify if they meet the other requirements.
Sources: Queensland Revenue Office (2026), Edwards & Smith (2026).
Queensland offers the highest temporary first home buyer grant in Australia
$30K FHOG until June 2026 + zero stamp duty on new homes (no cap)
How to Apply
If You’re Building (Most Common)
Your builder or lender usually handles the paperwork.
- At contract stage — Mention the FHOG when you sign your building contract
- Lender lodges the application — Most lenders do this as part of the loan process
- Grant offsets a progress payment — The $30,000 gets knocked off a progress payment (typically slab or lock-up stage), so you pay less out of pocket
- Or apply yourself — You can go directly through Queensland Revenue Office after construction starts
If You’re Buying a New or Established Home
- At settlement — Your conveyancer or solicitor lodges the grant application (if eligible) and stamp duty concession on your behalf
- Grant applied (if new home) — If eligible for FHOG, that reduces your settlement figure by $30,000
- Stamp duty calculated — Concession applied automatically if you meet eligibility criteria
What You Need:
- Proof of identity (100 points of ID)
- Contract of sale or building contract
- Evidence the property qualifies (new home documentation, contract variations if applicable)
- Statutory declaration confirming eligibility (never owned property in Australia)
- Evidence of principal place of residence intent
Processing time: Typically 4–6 weeks once all documents are submitted.
Application deadline: You have 12 months from completion/settlement to apply for the First Home Owner Grant. But most people apply at settlement or during construction to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Sources: Queensland Revenue Office (2026), Edwards & Smith (2026).
Timeline Example
| Stage | When | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Buy land | Month 1 | Pay stamp duty on $220K land = ~$5,850 (no exemption for land purchase itself, but land is dutiable at lower value) |
| Sign building contract | Month 2-3 | Lender lodges FHOG application ($30K) |
| Construction starts | Month 3-6 | Builder begins work |
| FHOG applied | Slab or lock-up stage | $30,000 offset against progress payment |
| Construction complete | Month 12-18 | Certificate of occupancy issued |
| Move in | Within 12 months of completion | Must live there for 12+ consecutive months |
Common Questions
Why does Queensland offer $30K temporarily, then drop to $15K?
Policy decision to stimulate new home construction during post-pandemic housing supply crunch. The temporary boost was extended multiple times (originally set to expire in 2024, then 2025, now June 30, 2026). After that date, Queensland reverts to the $15,000 permanent rate—which is still higher than most other states.
The $30K temporary grant has been highly effective at driving new builds. Queensland processed 42,000+ FHOG applications in 2024-25, the highest in a decade.
Source: Queensland Government (2026).
Can I get both the FHOG and stamp duty exemption together?
Yes, and you should. They’re separate schemes. If you’re a first home buyer building new in Brisbane, you get:
- First Home Owner Grant: $30,000 (until June 30, 2026)
- Stamp duty on new home: $0 (no property value cap)
Maximum combined saving: $30K + $30K–$50K+ stamp duty = $60K–$80K+ on a typical $600K–$900K build. For full stamp duty details, see our Queensland stamp duty guide.
What about house-and-land packages?
House-and-land packages qualify for both the FHOG and stamp duty exemption, provided:
- The package is a new home (never occupied)
- Total value under $750,000 (for FHOG eligibility)
- Contract signed before June 30, 2026 (for $30K grant)
Most house-and-land packages in Brisbane growth corridors (Springfield, Ripley, North Lakes) range from $940,000–$990,000. These exceed the $750K FHOG cap, so you’d only get the stamp duty exemption ($0 duty on $940K package = ~$38,925 saved). No $30K grant.
If you find a package under $750K (possible in outer corridors like Ipswich), you get both: $30K grant + zero stamp duty.
“In Brisbane’s growth corridors, the real challenge is finding house-and-land packages under $750,000 to qualify for the full $30,000 grant. Springfield and North Lakes have pushed past that mark. Look at Ipswich, Yarrabilba, and Caboolture — they still have packages in the $650K–$730K range where you get both the grant and zero stamp duty.” — David Park, Housing Market Researcher at BuildBudget
What if I’m buying an established home in Brisbane?
If you’re buying an established home:
- Under $700,000: Zero stamp duty (full concession), but no FHOG
- $700,001–$799,999: Partial stamp duty concession, no FHOG
- $800,000+: Full stamp duty applies, no FHOG
Established homes don’t qualify for the First Home Owner Grant. You only get stamp duty relief (if under $800K). This makes buying established significantly less attractive than building new for first home buyers.
Can I use the grant as part of my deposit?
Usually no. The FHOG is applied at settlement or during construction (against a progress payment). Most lenders won’t let you count it toward your 5–10% deposit because the money doesn’t hit your account until later.
However, some lenders factor the grant into your borrowing capacity—so you can borrow slightly more knowing the grant will reduce what you owe. Check with your lender.
House-and-land packages sometimes allow the grant to be applied early (at deposit stage) if the developer and lender have an arrangement. But this is the exception, not the rule.
How long do I have to live in the property?
First Home Owner Grant: 12 consecutive months as principal place of residence (must move in within 12 months of settlement)
Stamp duty concession: Same—12 months occupancy as principal residence
If you sell or move out before completing the occupancy requirement, you’ll have to pay the full grant back ($30,000) and potentially the stamp duty concession amount. Queensland Revenue Office doesn’t do partial refunds.
If something comes up and you genuinely can’t stay (medical reasons, family breakdown, employment relocation), contact Queensland Revenue Office before you move out. They have discretion in hardship cases, but you need to ask, not just disappear.
Can I rent out the property after 12 months?
Yes. Once you’ve done your 12 consecutive months living there, the place is yours to do what you want. Plenty of first home buyers move out and rent it after that. It’s a way to start building equity while you rent somewhere that suits your lifestyle better.
You will pay land tax on investment properties in Queensland (if your total land holdings exceed the threshold). But that only kicks in after your 12-month principal residence period ends.
What if my partner has owned a home before?
You don’t qualify for the First Home Owner Grant. The “never owned property in Australia” rule applies to all applicants. If your partner owned a property 5 years ago and sold it, neither of you qualifies for the $30K grant—even if only your name is going on the new title.
However, you may still qualify for the stamp duty concession if:
- Your partner’s previous property ownership was solely for investment purposes and they never occupied it as a principal residence, AND
- You meet all other eligibility criteria (including the “never held interest in another residence anywhere in the world” test)
This is a narrow exception. Most couples where one partner has owned before will be disqualified from both the grant and the concession.
Sources: Queensland Revenue Office (2026).
How does Queensland compare to other states?
First home buyer grants:
- Queensland: $30K new homes until June 30, 2026 (then $15K), $750K cap
- Northern Territory: $50K HomeGrown + $30K FreshStart = $80K combined (highest), no cap
- South Australia: $15K new homes, no cap
- Western Australia: $10K new homes, $750K cap
- Victoria: $10K regional new homes only, $750K cap
- NSW: $10K new homes, $800K cap
- ACT: $0 (no cash grant, replaced by stamp duty relief)
- Tasmania: $0 (no cash grant, replaced by stamp duty relief)
Stamp duty concessions (new homes):
- Queensland: $0 stamp duty, no cap (from May 1, 2025)
- South Australia: $0 stamp duty, no cap
- Tasmania: $0 up to $750K (100% exemption, new AND established, until June 2026)
- ACT: $0 up to $1,020K (income-tested)
- NSW: $0 up to $800K (phases out to $1M)
- Victoria: $0 up to $600K
- Western Australia: $0 up to $500K
- Northern Territory: $0 exemption for FHBs (but HLPE for house-and-land packages)
Queensland sits at the top for combined cash grant + stamp duty relief. Only South Australia matches the uncapped stamp duty exemption for new homes, but Queensland’s $30K grant (temporary) is double SA’s $15K.
What about established homes in Brisbane?
If you’re buying an established home in Brisbane as a first home buyer:
- No First Home Owner Grant (established homes don’t qualify)
- Stamp duty concession (if under $800K): Full exemption under $700K, partial $700K–$799K, nil above $800K
This makes established homes far less attractive financially. A $650K established home gets you zero grant + zero stamp duty = $17K–$20K saved (stamp duty only). A $650K new build gets you $30K grant + zero stamp duty = $50K saved.
The financial incentive clearly favors new construction in Queensland.
“Queensland’s uncapped stamp duty exemption on new homes — introduced May 1, 2025 — is a game-changer. Build a million-dollar home and pay zero transfer duty. No other mainland state offers that. Combined with the $30,000 grant, you’re looking at the largest first home buyer incentive package outside the Northern Territory.” — James Thornton, Construction Cost Analyst at BuildBudget
Run the numbers with our free building cost calculator to see exactly how these savings affect your total project cost. For a national overview, see how much it costs to build a house across Australia.
Data Sources
All information in this guide is sourced from official government agencies and verified property finance advisors:
- Queensland Revenue Office — First Home Grant Eligibility, Transfer Duty Concessions, accessed April 2026
- Queensland Government — First Home Owner Grant Official Page, accessed April 2026
- Edwards & Smith — First Home Buyer Grant QLD 2026 Guide, published April 2026
- Stanford Financial — First Home Buyer Grants QLD 2026, published 2026
Information current as of April 2026. Eligibility rules can change mid-year—check with Queensland Revenue Office or a qualified conveyancer before making decisions based on these numbers.
Key Takeaways
- Queensland offers $30,000 FHOG until June 30, 2026 (then reduces to $15,000) — highest temporary grant in Australia
- Zero stamp duty on new homes and vacant land (no property value cap) — saves $30K–$50K on typical builds
- Combined savings of $60K–$80K for first home buyers building new before June 2026 deadline
- Must occupy as principal place of residence for minimum 12 continuous months
- Application lodged through Queensland Revenue Office or via lender/conveyancer
- Grant applied at settlement for existing new homes or against progress payments for builds
