First Home Buyer Guide: Australian Capital Territory 2026

Buying your first home in Australian Capital Territory? This guide covers every major assistance scheme available in 2026 — the federal First Home Guarantee, the First Home Super Saver Scheme, the Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant, and stamp duty concessions from ACT Revenue Office. Combined correctly, these schemes can save eligible buyers $22,318+ on a typical purchase.

Federal First Home Guarantee (FHBG)

The First Home Guarantee (FHBG) allows eligible first home buyers to purchase a property with a deposit of just 5% without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). The federal government guarantees up to 15% of the property value, bridging the gap to 20% and eliminating the need for LMI. Up to 35,000 places are available nationally each financial year.

In Australian Capital Territory, the price caps for the First Home Guarantee (FHBG) are:

Canberra and major cities: $750,000
Regional ACT: $750,000

To be eligible, you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, have a taxable income below $125,000 (singles) or $200,000 (couples), and be purchasing your first home as your principal place of residence. The scheme is administered through participating lenders — not all lenders offer it, so confirm availability when comparing options.

LMI saving: At a 5% deposit on a $600,000 property, LMI would typically cost around $8,550. The FHBG eliminates this cost entirely for eligible buyers.

First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)

The First Home Super Saver Scheme allows first home buyers to make voluntary contributions into their superannuation fund and later withdraw those contributions (plus associated earnings) as a deposit. You can contribute up to $15,000 per financial year and withdraw a maximum of $50,000 in total across all years.

The main benefit is tax: voluntary concessional contributions are taxed at 15% inside super — much lower than your marginal tax rate. For a buyer on a $90,000 salary (marginal rate 34.5% including Medicare), contributing $15,000 through the FHSSS instead of saving in a bank account saves approximately $2,925 in tax per year, while still building your deposit.

The scheme requires an ATO determination before release of funds, and the entire withdrawal must be used to purchase a home within 12 months. Start contributing early — you can begin accumulating FHSSS amounts years before you are ready to buy.

Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

Australian Capital Territory does not currently offer a separate First Home Owner Grant cash payment. Instead, Australian Capital Territory has directed first home buyer assistance into stamp duty concessions. ACT is transitioning from stamp duty to an annual land tax over 20 years. Home Buyer Concession Scheme provides full duty concession for eligible buyers.

Stamp Duty Concessions for First Home Buyers in Australian Capital Territory

First home buyers in Australian Capital Territory are fully exempt from stamp duty on purchases up to $1M. A sliding concession reduces duty on properties between $1M and $1M. Above $1M, full duty applies.

At a purchase price of $1M, the stamp duty saving is approximately $34,998 — a full exemption. This is one of the most significant financial benefits available to first home buyers in Australian Capital Territory.

Use the Australian Capital Territory stamp duty calculator to see the exact duty payable at your target purchase price.

Combined Benefits Worked Example

The table below shows the combined financial benefit for an eligible first home buyer purchasing a $600,000 new property in Australian Capital Territory. Not all benefits may apply simultaneously — check eligibility requirements for each scheme.

Benefit	How It's Received	Estimated Value
Stamp Duty Concession (at $600,000)	Duty reduction at settlement	$13,768
LMI Saving via FHBG (est.)	No LMI at 5% deposit	~$8,550
FHSSS (max over 3 years)	Super withdrawal for deposit	$50,000

These figures are estimates based on a $600,000 new home purchase and will vary based on purchase price, your income, whether you use the FHSSS, and which lender you choose. The duty concession saving assumes you qualify as an eligible first home buyer under ACT Revenue Office rules.

Step-by-Step: Buying Your First Home in Australian Capital Territory

Check your borrowing capacity — use our borrowing capacity calculator to see what you can borrow based on your income and expenses.
Start FHSSS contributions — if you have time before buying, voluntary super contributions can build your deposit tax-efficiently.
Save your deposit — aim for 5% (FHBG eligible) or 20% (no LMI). Remember to also budget for stamp duty and conveyancing costs.
Get pre-approval — approach a lender or mortgage broker to get a conditional approval before you start making offers. Ask specifically about the FHBG if you have less than 20%.
Research the market — check recent sales in Canberra and regional ACT to understand what you can actually buy at your budget.
Make an offer — when you find the right property, your conveyancer can review the contract before you sign. Include a finance clause.
Apply for FHOG and duty concessions — your conveyancer or lender will typically lodge these applications as part of the settlement process. Keep records of all supporting documentation.
Settlement — usually 30–90 days after exchange. Stamp duty and conveyancing fees are payable at this point.

Income and Price Cap Eligibility Summary

Scheme	Income Cap (Single)	Income Cap (Couple)	Price Cap (ACT)
First Home Guarantee (FHBG)	$125,000	$200,000	$750,000 (city) / $750,000 (regional)
First Home Super Saver Scheme	No cap	No cap	No cap
Stamp Duty Exemption	No income cap	No income cap	$1M

Common Mistakes First Home Buyers Make in Australian Capital Territory

Underestimating upfront costs — stamp duty, conveyancing, and inspections can add 3–5% to your total outlay. Budget for this before you set your property price ceiling.
Not checking FHBG lender availability — only some lenders participate in the First Home Guarantee. Your preferred lender may not be on the panel.
Buying an existing home expecting the FHOG — in Australian Capital Territory, the grant applies to replaced by duty concession. Purchasing an established property does not qualify.
Forgetting about the FHSSS — many first home buyers only discover this scheme after they have already bought. Start contributions as early as possible.
Buying at the top of your borrowing capacity — rate rises erode your repayment buffer. Build in at least a 10–15% margin below your assessed maximum.
Skipping building and pest inspection — particularly relevant for older properties. A $600 inspection can prevent a $60,000 surprise.