Queensland First Home Owner Grant: what first-home buyers need to know about the continued $30,000 grant

Buying your first home is a big step.

There is the deposit to think about, loan approval, location, budget, the type of home you want, and all the smaller decisions that come with turning an idea into something real.

For first-home buyers in Queensland, one important detail to understand is the First Home Owner Grant.

The Queensland Government has announced the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant will continue for eligible contracts signed from 1 July 2026 going forward.

The grant is designed to help eligible first-home buyers purchase or build a new home to live in.

That does not mean people should make a decision based on the grant alone. A home still needs to suit your budget, lifestyle and long-term plans.

But if you are already looking to buy or build a new home in Queensland, it is worth understanding how the grant works, what changed in the State Budget and where to check your eligibility.

What is the Queensland First Home Owner Grant?

The Queensland First Home Owner Grant is a state government payment designed to help eligible first-home buyers buy or build a new home in Queensland.

The boosted grant is $30,000 for eligible contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026.

Following the 2026–27 Queensland Budget, the State Government has announced the $30,000 grant will continue for eligible contracts signed from 1 July 2026 going forward.

The grant is focused on new homes.

According to the Queensland Revenue Office, a new home may include a house, unit, duplex or townhouse that has not previously been occupied or sold as a place of residence. It may also include some off-the-plan purchases, contracts to build and substantially renovated homes where eligibility criteria are met.

The grant does not apply to established homes.

What changed in the Queensland Budget?

Before the 2026–27 Queensland Budget, the boosted $30,000 grant was due to apply to eligible contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026.

The Queensland Government has now announced the $30,000 grant will continue for eligible contracts signed from 1 July 2026 going forward.

For first-home buyers, the practical question is no longer only about meeting the 30 June 2026 deadline.

It is about understanding eligibility, the type of home that qualifies, the property value threshold, occupancy requirements and how the grant may fit into a broader homebuying decision.

As always, buyers should check the latest information through the Queensland Revenue Office before making decisions based on the grant.

Who could the grant help?

The grant may help eligible first-home buyers who are planning to buy or build a new home in Queensland.

This could include people considering:

• a newly built house
• a new townhouse
• a new unit
• a contract to build
• an eligible off-the-plan purchase
• an eligible substantially renovated home.

The grant is not available for established homes.

Eligibility depends on several factors, including the buyer, the property, the transaction, timing, value and occupancy requirements.

What first-home buyers should consider

A grant can help, but it should not be the only factor in a first-home decision.A considered first-home purchase starts with a few practical questions.

1. Are you eligible?

Before making decisions based on the grant, buyers should check their eligibility through the Queensland Revenue Office.

The rules are specific, and eligibility depends on more than simply being a first-home buyer.

The home, contract timing, value, occupancy requirements and personal circumstances all matter.

2. Is the home within the price threshold?

The Queensland Government states the grant applies only to new homes valued at less than $750,000, including land and any contract variations.

That means buyers need to consider the full value of the home and land together, not just one part of the purchase.

3. Is the home new?

The grant is for eligible new homes, not established homes.

A new home may include a house, unit, duplex or townhouse that has not previously been occupied or sold as a place of residence. It may also include some off-the-plan purchases, contracts to build and substantially renovated homes where eligibility criteria are met.

4. Does the home suit your longer-term plans?

A grant can help with the purchase, but a home still needs to make sense beyond the contract date.

Think about location, transport, work, family, parks, schools, future growth and the type of lifestyle you want to build around the home.

5. Have you received independent advice?

Government grants, lending conditions, transfer duty concessions and personal finances can all interact in different ways.

Buyers should speak with their lender, broker, conveyancer, solicitor or financial adviser before making a decision.

Why the grant focuses on new homes

The Queensland First Home Owner Grant is designed to support eligible buyers purchasing or building new homes.

That distinction is important.

New homes add to housing supply. Established homes generally involve one buyer purchasing a home that already exists.

For first-home buyers, this means the grant may be relevant if they are considering a new home, a new townhouse, an eligible off-the-plan purchase or a contract to build.

It also means buyers should check carefully whether the property they are considering meets the definition of a new home under Queensland Revenue Office rules.

The grant can help, but the decision still needs to be right

A $30,000 grant can make a meaningful difference for eligible first-home buyers.

It may help reduce upfront pressure, support a new home purchase or make the next step feel more achievable.

But the best decisions are still made carefully.

The grant should be treated as one part of the picture, alongside affordability, finance, eligibility, lifestyle and long-term suitability.

For buyers considering a new home in Queensland, now is a good time to get clear on the details, speak with the right people and understand whether the grant could apply.

Key things to remember

• The Queensland First Home Owner Grant will continue at $30,000 for eligible contracts signed from 1 July 2026 going forward.
• The grant applies only to eligible new homes.
• Established homes are not eligible for the First Home Owner Grant.
• The home must be valued at less than $750,000, including land and any contract variations.
• There is no income cap for the Queensland First Home Owner Grant.
• Buyers generally need to move into the home as their principal place of residence within 12 months of completion or settlement and live there continuously for at least six months.
• Eligibility should always be checked through the Queensland Revenue Office.

Looking at your first home in Queensland?

If you are considering buying or building your first home in Queensland, the continued $30,000 First Home Owner Grant may be worth understanding as part of your planning.

Cedar Woods offers new residential communities across South East Queensland, with options designed to suit a range of buyers, lifestyles and stages of life.

Not sure where to start? Here is a simple action plan to guide your next steps:

Check your eligibility through the Queensland Revenue Office.

Speak with a lender or broker to understand your budget.

Explore new-home options that suit your needs, timing and lifestyle.

Contact the Cedar Woods Queensland team when you are ready to talk through available communities.

Explore current availability in Queensland or speak with the Cedar Woods team to learn more about your options.

Disclaimer

This article is general information only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax or eligibility advice. Grant eligibility, government policy settings and property availability may change. Buyers should check the latest information with the Queensland Revenue Office and seek independent professional advice before making any property decision.