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.
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. Places are unlimited (no annual cap since 1 Oct 2025), and from 1 October 2025 there are no income caps to qualify (previously $125,000 single / $200,000 couple).
In Australian Capital Territory, the price caps for the First Home Guarantee (FHBG) are:
To be eligible, you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident purchasing your first home as your principal place of residence. From 1 October 2025, income caps were removed (previously $125,000 single / $200,000 couple) and annual place limits were also removed. The scheme is administered through participating lenders — not all lenders offer it, so confirm availability when comparing options. Verify current rules with Housing Australia.
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.
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 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 Home Buyer Concession Scheme (FY 2025-26, income-tested): $0 duty up to $1,020,000, then $6.40 per $100 between $1,020,000 and $1,455,000, then flat duty less $35,238. Verified May 2026 — see ACT Revenue Office.
First home buyers in Australian Capital Territory are fully exempt from stamp duty on purchases up to $1.0M. A sliding concession reduces duty on properties between $1.0M and $1.5M. Above $1.5M, full duty applies.
At a purchase price of $1.0M, the stamp duty saving is approximately $36,278 — 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.
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.
| Scheme | Income Cap (Single) | Income Cap (Couple) | Price Cap (ACT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Home Guarantee (FHBG) | None (caps removed 1 Oct 2025) | None (caps removed 1 Oct 2025) | $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 | $1.0M |
Compare first home buyer schemes in other Australian states: