Buy your first home with a 5% deposit. No LMI.
From 1 October 2025: no income caps, no waitlists, unlimited places. Use our interactive tool to find your max purchase price, stamp duty and fees, then book a time with Brokerly, your mortgage broker partner, to handle the lender match and lodgement end to end.
What the 5% Deposit Scheme changes for you.
Formerly the Home Guarantee Scheme, the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme was expanded on 1 October 2025 with higher property price caps, no income caps and unlimited places, making home ownership achievable for far more first home buyers.
Lower deposit, no LMI
The Government guarantees up to 15% of your loan so lenders waive Lenders Mortgage Insurance. You buy sooner with as little as 5% saved.
Single parent stream
Single parents and legal guardians can enter with a minimum 2% deposit, even if you've owned property before.
Houses, units, new or existing
Buy an established home, townhouse, unit, off-the-plan property, vacant land plus a build, or build on land you already own.
No income caps
From 1 October 2025 the income test was removed. Eligibility is no longer restricted by how much you earn.
Pick your state. See your max purchase price.
Choose your state on the map, your buyer type, property type and savings. We'll instantly estimate your maximum purchase price, stamp duty (with first home buyer concessions , including QLD's $0 stamp duty on new builds) and other government & legal fees. When you're ready, Brokerly, our mortgage broker partner, takes the numbers from here, arranges your approval and lodges your Scheme placement.
5% Deposit Scheme, purchase price, stamp duty & fees
Tap a state or territory to load its 5% Deposit Scheme price caps and first home buyer stamp duty.
Estimates only. Stamp duty rules vary; concessions depend on owner-occupier status, income & contract date. Fees use typical NSW/VIC averages, confirm with your broker.
Scheme price caps in every state.
Caps below apply to property purchases under the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme from 1 October 2025. The cap is the maximum property price you can buy with Scheme support in that location.
| State / Territory | Capital city & regional centres | Rest of state |
|---|---|---|
NSW New South Wales | $1,500,000 Sydney & regional centres (Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Illawarra) | $800,000 Rest of NSW |
VIC Victoria | $950,000 Melbourne & regional centre (Geelong) | $650,000 Rest of VIC |
QLD Queensland | $1,000,000 Brisbane & regional centres (Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast) | $700,000 Rest of QLD |
WA Western Australia | $850,000 Perth | $600,000 Rest of WA |
SA South Australia | $900,000 Adelaide | $500,000 Rest of SA |
TAS Tasmania | $700,000 Hobart | $550,000 Rest of TAS |
ACT Australian Capital Territory | $1,000,000 Canberra | $1,000,000 ACT |
NT Northern Territory | $600,000 Darwin | $600,000 NT |
Are you eligible?
The Scheme is open to first home buyers (and single parents re-entering the market) who meet the criteria below. Brokerly, your mortgage broker partner, will confirm your eligibility, match you to a Participating Lender and handle the entire application so your placement is secured.
- Australian citizen or permanent resident, aged 18+
- Have at least a 5% deposit (2% for single parents/guardians)
- Buying as an owner-occupier, must move in & live in the home
- Property purchase price within the Scheme cap for your area
- First home buyer (or single parent re-entering the market)
- No income caps from 1 October 2025
- Existing house, townhouse or apartment
- House and land package or off-the-plan apartment
- Land plus a separate contract to build a home
- New build on land you already own (vacant land)
- Property must be within the price cap for the postcode
- Owner-occupier only, investment properties not eligible
Four steps to secure your placement.
You can't apply directly to Housing Australia. Brokerly lodges your 5% Deposit Scheme application with a Participating Lender on your behalf, so you skip the paperwork and secure your spot faster.
Check your eligibility
Use the interactive tool above to see your max purchase price and confirm the Scheme cap in your area.
Book a call with Brokerly
We confirm your eligibility, run the numbers and match you to the Participating Lender most likely to approve your scenario.
We lodge on your behalf
Brokerly prepares and lodges your 5% Deposit Scheme application directly with the lender, securing your placement.
Get pre-approved & buy
Once pre-approved you have 90 days to find a home within the Scheme price cap. We manage settlement end to end.
Your questions, answered.
What is the 5% Deposit Scheme?+
The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (formerly the Home Guarantee Scheme) lets eligible first home buyers purchase a home with a minimum 5% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance. The Government guarantees up to 15% of the property value to your lender.
Who is eligible?+
Australian citizens or permanent residents aged 18+, buying as owner-occupiers, with a property price within the Scheme cap for their location. From 1 October 2025 there are no income caps and no waitlists.
Can single parents apply with a 2% deposit?+
Yes. Single parents and legal guardians of dependent children can apply with a minimum 2% deposit, even if they have previously owned property.
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in QLD?+
From 1 May 2025, Queensland first home buyers pay $0 stamp duty on new builds and vacant land with no price cap. Established homes get a full concession up to $800k, phasing out by $1m.
What stamp duty concessions exist in other states?+
NSW: $0 to $800k, concession to $1m. VIC: $0 to $600k, concession to $750k. WA: $0 to $450k, concession to $600k. SA: $0 stamp duty on new homes (no cap). TAS: 50% concession on established up to $750k. ACT: $0 under the Home Buyer Concession Scheme (income-tested).
Can I buy a new build or off-the-plan?+
Yes. Eligible properties include established homes, new builds, off-the-plan apartments, house and land packages, and land plus a separate build contract.
Do I have to live in the home?+
Yes, the Scheme is for owner-occupiers only. You must move into the property within 6 months of settlement and continue to live in it as your principal place of residence.
How do I apply?+
You apply through Brokerly and we lodge your 5% Deposit Scheme application on your behalf with the right Participating Lender for your scenario. You can't apply directly to Housing Australia, so the fastest way to secure your placement is to book a strategy call and let our team handle the lodgement, lender match and pre-approval end to end.
Secure your placement in the 5% Deposit Scheme.
You can't apply directly to Housing Australia. Book a free 20-minute call and Brokerly will confirm your eligibility, match you to the right Participating Lender and lodge your application on your behalf.
Secure your placement