Your Property Guide
Last updated: April 2026·7 min read

First Home Buyer Guide — Queensland (2026)

In this guide

Disclaimer: Grant amounts, thresholds, and eligibility rules change regularly. Verify current details with the Queensland Revenue Office or a licensed professional before proceeding.

$30,000 First Home Owner Grant QLD

Queensland has one of the most generous First Home Owner Grants in Australia — $30,000 for eligible first home buyers purchasing or building a new home. This is three times the grant offered by NSW and Victoria.

Eligibility requirements

  • At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • All applicants must be 18 years or older
  • No applicant can have previously owned residential property in Australia
  • At least one applicant must occupy the home as their principal place of residence for at least 12 months within 12 months of completion or settlement

Eligible properties

  • New homes (not previously occupied or sold as residential property) with a contract price of $750,000 or less
  • Owner-built new homes must have a building contract value of $750,000 or less
  • Established properties do not qualify for the FHOG in QLD

When is the grant paid?

For purchases (e.g., off-the-plan), the grant is paid at settlement. For construction contracts (building a new home), it is paid when your first progress payment is requested by the builder. Apply through the Queensland Revenue Office, or through your lender — most lenders can process the FHOG application alongside your loan application.

Stamp Duty (Transfer Duty) Concession in QLD

Queensland does not offer a full stamp duty exemption for first home buyers in the way NSW and VIC do. Instead, it offers a concessional duty rate for owner-occupiers (not exclusive to first home buyers). However, first home buyers who are owner-occupiers receive the benefit of the concessional rate.

First Home Concession

  • Available for properties priced at $550,000 or less for homes (established or new)
  • For vacant land: no duty on land valued at $400,000 or less, with a concession for $400,001–$500,000
  • The property must be your first home in Australia and you must intend to occupy it within 12 months

On a $500,000 home, a first home buyer in QLD pays approximately $8,750 in transfer duty — compared to $17,325 for a standard buyer (owner-occupier rate). The saving is substantial. Use our Stamp Duty Calculator for precise figures.

Home Concession (not exclusive to first home buyers)

Queensland also applies a standard home concession for all owner-occupiers (not just first home buyers), resulting in lower duty than the general rate. This applies to properties where the buyer intends to occupy as principal place of residence.

Federal Schemes Available in QLD

  • First Home Guarantee (FHBG): 5% deposit, no LMI. Income limits: $125K single / $200K couple. Property price cap in Brisbane: $700,000. Regional QLD: $550,000.
  • Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee: For buyers in regional Queensland. Moreton Bay, Gold Coast hinterland, and Sunshine Coast hinterland regional zones are popular. Property price cap applies.
  • Family Home Guarantee: 2% deposit for single parents. $125K income limit.

Note: The First Home Guarantee price cap for Brisbane ($700,000) is lower than in Sydney and Melbourne, reflecting Queensland's lower median prices — though South East Queensland prices have risen significantly since 2020.

QLD-Specific Schemes & Resources

  • Queensland Housing Finance Loan: For low-to-moderate income earners who cannot access a loan from a traditional lender. Administered by Homes and Housing QLD. Check eligibility at qld.gov.au/housing.
  • Deposit assist (shared equity): Some Queensland credit unions and building societies offer shared equity arrangements for first home buyers — check with your broker or lender.
  • First Home Vacant Land Concession: For buyers purchasing vacant land to build their first home. Reduced transfer duty applies on land valued at $400,000 or less.

Median Property Prices for First Home Buyers

South East Queensland has experienced significant price growth since 2020. First home buyers typically look at:

  • Brisbane outer suburbs: Ipswich, Logan, and Moreton Bay regions with house medians from $600,000–$800,000
  • Moreton Bay region: North Lakes, Caboolture, Redcliffe — popular for first home buyers with medians from $620,000–$750,000
  • Gold Coast hinterland: Ormeau, Coomera, Pimpama — house medians from $680,000–$800,000
  • Regional Queensland: Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Mackay — house medians $400,000–$600,000 with high rental yields

Browse suburb profiles for QLD on Your Property Guide for current data.

The QLD Buying Process

Queensland has some distinct features compared to other states:

  • REIQ contract: Queensland uses the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) standard contract of sale, which includes standard conditions including building and pest inspection, finance, and sometimes FIRB.
  • Conditions are built in: Unlike NSW, building inspections and finance conditions are typically included in the contract before it is signed — you negotiate the conditions upfront rather than during a cooling-off period.
  • Cooling-off period: 5 business days from the buyer's receipt of the contract (for residential property, not at auction)
  • Auctions: Less common than in Sydney and Melbourne. Private treaty (conditional contract) is the dominant method in QLD.
  • Settlement: Typically 30–60 days; conducted electronically via PEXA

For the full step-by-step buying process, see our Complete Property Buying Guide.

Key QLD Contacts