Four separate programmes help first home buyers in New South Wales. They are run by three different bodies and they are not alternatives, so several can apply to the same purchase.
The four New South Wales first home buyer programmes side by side, what each one actually does, who administers it, and how they combine on a single purchase.
Each solves a different problem. One removes a government charge, one removes mortgage insurance, and one releases money you already own.
| Programme | What it does | Administered by |
|---|---|---|
| First home buyer duty exemption | Removes transfer duty entirely up to $800,000, with a concession tapering out below $1,000,000 | Revenue NSW |
| Vacant land duty exemption | Full exemption to $350,000, concession to $450,000 | Revenue NSW |
| 5% Deposit Scheme | Allows an eligible purchase with a five per cent deposit without paying lenders mortgage insurance, within a property price cap | Housing Australia |
| First Home Super Saver | Releases voluntary super contributions and their earnings toward your deposit | ATO |
The duty thresholds above apply to contracts exchanged since 1 July 2023 and are published by Revenue NSW under the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme.
The property price cap on the 5% Deposit Scheme is the figure that decides most Sydney purchases, because a Sydney median sits close to it. Caps are reviewed, so confirm the current figure with Housing Australia before relying on it.
Qualifying for one does not mean qualifying for another, because each has its own eligibility test. They do, however, stack.
Read the detail in scheme eligibility, the duty exemption and First Home Super Saver.
Five things decide whether a programme actually applies to your purchase.
Work out your duty position with the stamp duty calculator.
Usually yes, because they address different costs. The duty exemption removes a government charge, the 5% Deposit Scheme removes lenders mortgage insurance, and First Home Super Saver releases money you have already contributed to super. Each has its own eligibility test, so qualifying for one does not automatically mean qualifying for the others.
Above $1,000,000 the first home buyer concession no longer applies and ordinary transfer duty is payable on the full value. Between $800,000 and $1,000,000 a concessional amount applies and reduces as the price rises. At or below $800,000 eligible first home buyers pay no duty at all on the purchase.
A cap applies to Sydney and to each region, and it is set and periodically reviewed by Housing Australia rather than by lenders. Because the Sydney cap sits close to the median, it frequently determines which properties are realistically available under the scheme. Confirm the current figure before you start looking at properties.
No. The duty exemption and the deposit scheme both carry a residence requirement, meaning you must move into the property and live there for a continuous period. First Home Super Saver is similarly tied to buying a home you will live in. A purchase intended as an investment from the outset does not qualify.
Most first home buyers qualify for more than they realise, and most check only one programme. Work through all four before you set a deposit target.
Read more about low deposit lending or avoiding mortgage insurance.
Ask us which schemes you qualify for.
Paritosh Wadhwani | Director and Principal Broker, APW Finance
Member of the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA). Arranging residential, commercial and specialist lending for Sydney clients across a panel of more than 50 lenders.
APW Finance Pty Ltd, 304/20a Lexington Drive, Bella Vista NSW 2153. Email: info@apwfinance.com. Phone: +61 447 959 546.
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This guide is general information only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, and it is not financial or credit advice. Lending criteria, interest rates, duty thresholds and government schemes change, and every application is subject to lender approval. Consider whether this information suits your circumstances and seek independent advice before acting. Figures quoted are current at the date below and should be confirmed before you rely on them. Last reviewed: October 2026.
APW Finance Pty Ltd delivers expert lending solutions with personalised service, empowering clients across residential, commercial, and business sectors.