First Home Buyer Guide Australia
First Home Buyer Hub

Your keys.
Closer than you think.

From government grants to your first mortgage — we guide Australian first home buyers through every step of the journey, saving you thousands along the way.

Up to $50K in grants available
5% deposit options
48-hr pre-approval
Free broker service

3,800+

$32K

95+

4.9★†

Government Support

Grants & schemes you may qualify for

Most first home buyers leave money on the table. Between federal schemes and state grants, you could access up to $80,000+ in support. Here's exactly what's available.

Federal Government Schemes

First Home Guarantee

35,000 places/yr

Buy with just a 5% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance. The government guarantees the remaining 15%, saving you up to $30,000+ in LMI.

Saves ~$15,000–$35,000 in LMI

Eligibility Criteria
  • Australian citizen or PR
  • Income under $125K (single) or $200K (couple)
  • Owner-occupier — not investor
  • Property price cap varies by state

State & Territory Grants

First Home Owner Grant

$30,000

New homes under $750K purchase price

Stamp Duty Concession

Up to $8,750

First homes under $550K

First Home Guarantee (Federal)

5% deposit accepted

No LMI — government guarantees 15%

Grant amounts and eligibility change periodically. Your Fairbanks broker will confirm the latest figures at the time of application.

Building a new home? The FHOG is for you.

The First Home Owner Grant applies to new builds only — not established homes. If you're planning to build, a construction loan lets you access the grant while paying interest only on funds drawn at each stage. QLD buyers can combine the $30,000 FHOG with a 5% deposit under the First Home Guarantee.

Construction Loan Guide
Borrowing Power Calculator

How much can you borrow?

Adjust the sliders to get an instant estimate. This is a guide only — your Fairbanks broker will get the exact figure from your lender.

Buying situation

$90,000
$30K$300K
$2,800/mo
$1K$8K
$0
$0$60K
0
$50,000
$10K$300K

Estimated borrowing power

$276,052

Moderate estimate at 6.14% p.a. over 30 years

Conservative

$234,644

Maximum

$298,136

Purchase summary

Est. purchase price$326,052
Your deposit$50,000
Loan amount$276,052
Est. monthly repayment$1,680/mo
LMI estimate$5,869

Did you know? With the First Home Guarantee you may be able to avoid $5,869 in LMI with just a 5% deposit — ask your broker.

Get My Exact Borrowing Power — Free

This is an estimate only, not a credit assessment or pre-approval.

Property Research

Search the property
you're eyeing

Before you fall in love with a property, know what it's actually worth. Get estimated value, suburb growth, comparable sales and rental yield — free, instant, no login.

Estimated market value
Suburb growth trends
Recent comparable sales
Sample Report

Estimated Value

$982K

12m Growth

+5.4%

Yield

4.1%
Interactive Checklist

First Home Buyer Readiness Tracker

Tick off each task as you complete it. Watch your readiness score rise — and know exactly what to tackle next.

0%
Just Beginning
0 of 30 tasks complete

Need guidance on any step?

Our brokers specialise in first home buyers.

Book a Free Consultation

Financial Readiness

0 of 6 completed

I have at least 5% deposit saved

I have 3-6 months of living expenses as emergency fund

I have checked my credit score

I have paid off (or reduced) high-interest debts

I have 3 months of consistent savings history

I understand stamp duty costs in my state

Step-by-Step Guide

Your complete first home
buying roadmap

8 steps from first thought to holding your keys. Click each step to expand the details.

Step 01

Know your numbers

Start here

Before falling in love with a property, understand your borrowing power, deposit requirements, and ongoing costs.

What to do at this step:

  • 1
    Calculate your borrowing power using our estimator above — or get the exact figure with a pre-assessment from your broker
  • 2
    Aim for at least 5–20% of purchase price as deposit (plus 3–5% for costs like stamp duty, legal fees, and building inspection)
  • 3
    Factor in ongoing costs: council rates, strata levies (if applicable), insurance, and maintenance
  • 4
    Check your credit score for free via Equifax, Experian, or illion — lenders will review this

Fairbanks Tip

A credit score above 650 opens the most competitive rates. Pay down credit cards before applying.

Common Questions

First home buyer
FAQs answered

We get these questions every day. Here are the honest, jargon-free answers — and if you have one we haven't covered, your broker is one call away.

Oliver Brennan – First Home Buyer Specialist

Oliver Brennan

First Home Buyer Specialist

Available today

“I bought my first home just 5 years ago. I know exactly how overwhelming the process feels. Let me walk you through it — step by step.”

Book a free call with Oliver

The minimum is 5% of the purchase price — and with the First Home Guarantee, you avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance on top. However, having 10–20% gives you access to more lenders and lower rates. Your Fairbanks broker will run the numbers for your specific situation.

General Information Warning: The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice. Government grant amounts and eligibility criteria are subject to change — confirm current figures with your broker or the relevant state authority. Before acting on any information, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances and seek independent professional advice. Consolidated Funding Group Pty Ltd t/as Fairbanks Financial Group | ACR 481272 | FBAA m-330508 | AFCA #48367.

Ready to start?

Your first home is
closer than you think.

Most of our first home buyers are genuinely surprised at how much they can borrow — and how much government support is available. A 30-minute conversation with a Fairbanks broker changes everything.

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Know your budget fast

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