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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationAre your potential clients looking for support to build a new home?
Are your potential clients looking for support to build a new home?
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What is the ‘Help to Buy Program’
The ‘Help to Buy Program’ is a shared equity scheme that will allow eligible home buyers to purchase a property with a smaller deposit.
The program works by allowing buyers with a deposit of at least 2% to obtain a loan with an equity contribution from the federal government.
The size of the equity contribution can vary from up to 30% for an existing home to 40% for a new home. This aims to assist prospective homeowners to enter the property market sooner than they would otherwise have been able, due to the smaller deposit requirements. It will also allow these home buyers to benefit from a smaller mortgage and smaller repayments.
How many places are available?
There are 10,000 places available in the first year of the program. The program will run from 1 July 2025-1 July 2026.
What are the eligibility criteria?
To be eligible for the program applicants must:
- be an Australian citizen
- be at least 18 years of age
- have a yearly income of $100,000 or less, or $160,000 or less for a couple
- live in the purchased home
- not currently own any other land or property either in Australia or overseas
- have saved the required minimum 2% deposit of the home price and be able to finance the remainder through a participating lender, and
- be able to manage all associated costs up front including stamp duty, legal feels and bank fees.
There are also a number of matters that must be dealt with in a new home construction contract including that:
- it’s a fixed price contract
- the builder holds all the relevant licenses and registrations required by law to perform the work
- all required insurance policies are in place
- the contract is at arm’s length, and
- the builder builds a fully completed dwelling up to the issuing of an occupancy certificate/permit.
There are also some time frames that apply to off the plan purchases and new home construction:
- Construction of an off-the-plan dwelling must commence before the parties enter into the contract of sale and settle no later than 90 days after the application to enter into the program is approved.
- For all other newly constructed dwellings the construction of the dwelling must commence within 12 months from when the applicant becomes the registered owner of the property and must be completed within 36 months of this date.
Property price caps
| Area | Cap |
| New South Wales – capital city and regional centre | $1,300,000 |
| New South Wales – other | $800,000 |
| Victoria – capital city and regional |
$950,000 |
| Victoria – other |
$650,000 |
| Queensland – capital city and regional centre |
$1,000,000 |
| Queensland – other |
$700,000 |
| Western Australia – capital city |
$850,000 |
| Western Australia – other |
$600,000 |
| South Australia – capital city |
$900,000 |
| South Australia – other |
$500,000 |
| Tasmania – capital city |
$700,000 |
| Tasmania – other |
$550,000 |
| Australian Capital Territory |
$1,000,000 |
| Northern Territory |
$600,000 |
| Jervis Bay and Norfolk Island |
$550,000 |
| Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands |
$400,000 |
| Area | Regional Centre |
| New South Wales | Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Illawarra Central Coast Mid-North Coast Coffs-Harbour – Grafton Richmond-Tweed |
| Victoria | Geelong |
| Queensland | Gold Coast Sunshine Coast |
Can a homeowner sell a property purchased under the program?
Yes. Voluntary early repayments are permitted, as is selling the property at any time.
Can I access the program in my state or territory?
At the time of publication, those in Queensland, Victoria, NSW, the ACT and NT can access the program and we expect other jurisdictions to follow suit.
A number of jurisdictions also have their own shared equity schemes in place.
Note : Applicants cannot access more than one scheme.
Victorian bushfire support for fire affected businesses and individuals
In what has been a difficult time for many Victorians, HIA welcomes the package of support measures announced by the Allan and Albanese Governments to support businesses, individuals and communities affected by the recent Victorian bushfires.
Another increase in property taxes coming
“HIA is disappointed that the Victorian government has announced new proposals to further increase property taxes,” stated HIA Executive Director Victoria, Keith Ryan.
Red tape and skills shortages stall builder hiring despite housing boom
HIA says residential builders and trades remain cautious about hiring in 2026. Not due to a lack of housing demand, but because of mounting cost pressures, regulatory hurdles, and persistent skills shortages, according to a survey of small to medium enterprise members.
What’s new for workplaces in 2026?
Workplace laws are set for more changes in 2026.