Queensland’s $30,000 first home grant: the 30 June deadline that never came

Update (July 2026): the deadline this article covered never arrived. On 23 June 2026, the 2026-27 Queensland Budget locked the boosted $30,000 First Home Owner Grant in for another four years, and made the zero transfer duty for first home buyers on new homes permanent. The Queensland Revenue Office confirms $30,000 for eligible contracts signed from 20 November 2023, with no end date currently published. See our full coverage of Queensland's first home buyer support. The original article follows as published.

If you are buying or building your first home in Queensland, a window is about to close. The state's boosted $30,000 First Home Owner Grant for new homes ends on 30 June 2026. From 1 July 2026 the grant drops back to its previous level of $15,000. That is a difference of $15,000 in support, and the only way to lock in the higher amount is to have an eligible signed contract in place by 30 June.

With that deadline now only days away, this is one of those rare moments where timing genuinely matters. The good news is that Queensland's biggest first home buyer benefit, zero transfer duty on new homes, is separate and ongoing. So even buyers who cannot meet the grant deadline still have plenty of support to work with. Here is what is changing, who it applies to, and what to do if you are close to buying.

What is happening to the grant

The Queensland First Home Owner Grant was temporarily boosted to $30,000 for new homes. That boost applies to eligible transactions where the contract is signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026 inclusive. For owner-builders, the test is when the foundations are laid, which must also fall within that same window.

After 30 June 2026, the grant reverts to $15,000 for eligible new-home purchases. The grant amount itself does not vanish, it returns to its standard level. The practical takeaway is straightforward. An eligible buyer who signs by the deadline receives $30,000, while one who signs a day later receives $15,000. If you are already close to signing on a qualifying new home, the timing of that signature is worth real money. Our wider explainer on the First Home Owner Grant across Australia sets out how these grants work and how Queensland compares.

Who and what qualifies

This grant is for new homes only. That means a newly built home, an off-the-plan purchase, or a substantially renovated home, valued under $750,000 including the land. An established home that someone has lived in before does not qualify for the grant. There are also the usual first home buyer eligibility conditions to meet, including residency and ownership history requirements.

Because eligibility rules have specific definitions and conditions, it is always worth confirming your situation against the official Queensland Government guidance before you rely on the grant. Our Queensland first home buyer guide walks through the state's supports and points you to where to check the fine print. If a contract is involved, the date on that contract is the trigger for which grant amount applies, so read any contract dates carefully.

Stamp duty relief is separate and still running

It is important not to confuse the grant deadline with Queensland's stamp duty changes, because they are two different things. Since 1 May 2025, Queensland first home buyers pay zero transfer duty, also known as stamp duty, on new homes and on vacant land. The new-home concession has no price cap, which is a meaningful change for buyers looking at higher value new builds.

This stamp duty relief is ongoing and is not tied to the 30 June 2026 grant deadline. So even if you cannot sign in time to secure the $30,000 grant, eligible first home buyers can still benefit from paying no transfer duty on a qualifying new home. For many buyers that concession is worth more than the grant itself. Our Queensland stamp duty guide explains how the concession works and who can claim it.

How it stacks with federal support

Queensland's grant and stamp duty concessions sit alongside, not instead of, federal first home buyer programs. The First Home Guarantee can let eligible buyers purchase with a smaller deposit without paying lenders mortgage insurance, and it can be used together with state grants and concessions. Combining state and federal support is where first home buyers often find the biggest difference to what they need upfront.

Before you commit to a timeline, it helps to know what you can actually borrow and how much deposit you will need. Our guide on how much deposit you need to buy a house covers the numbers, and you can get a quick estimate of your capacity using our borrowing power calculator. Knowing those figures means you can move quickly and confidently if a suitable new home is within reach before the deadline.

What it means for you

The headline is simple. To secure the extra $15,000, an eligible buyer needs a signed contract on a qualifying new home by 30 June 2026. After that date the grant returns to $15,000. This is days away, so if you are genuinely close to a purchase, it is worth understanding your position now rather than later. A few practical points to keep in mind:

• Check the deadline against your contract. The boosted $30,000 grant applies to eligible contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026 inclusive. For owner-builders, foundations must be laid in that window.
• It is new homes only. The grant covers newly built, off-the-plan or substantially renovated homes valued under $750,000 including land. Established homes do not qualify.
• Do not rush a bad decision. A grant is a reason to act if you are already ready, not a reason to overstretch. If you cannot sign in time, the home will still be there and the $15,000 grant still applies.
• Remember the stamp duty saving. Since 1 May 2025, eligible first home buyers pay zero transfer duty on new homes and vacant land, with no price cap on the new-home concession. That benefit is ongoing regardless of the grant deadline.
• Stack your support. State grants and concessions can be combined with the federal First Home Guarantee, so look at the full picture before deciding.
• Confirm eligibility with the official source. Rules have specific conditions, so check your circumstances against the Queensland Government's guidance before you rely on any figure.

If you are weighing up a new home in Queensland, start by getting your numbers clear with our Queensland first home buyer guide and the borrowing power calculator. Whether or not you make the 30 June date, the buyers who do best are the ones who understand exactly what support they are entitled to before they sign.