First Home Owner Grant in the ACT
The ACT doesn't have a First Home Owner Grant. It ended on 1 July 2019 when the ACT moved to the Home Buyer Concession Scheme.
Stamp duty for first home buyers
From 1 July 2026, the Home Buyer Concession Scheme has no price cap and no income test. Eligible buyers pay no conveyance duty at any price, as long as you and your partner haven't owned property in the last 5 years, and one of you lives in the home for at least 12 months.
You don't have to be a first home buyer: anyone who hasn't owned property for 5 years can qualify.
Work out your exact duty with the ACT stamp duty calculator.
What first home buyers get: examples
| Example | Grant | Duty without concession | Duty you pay | Total benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New home, $650,000 | $0 | $17,880 | $0 | $17,880 |
| Established home, $700,000 | $0 | $20,040 | $0 | $20,040 |
Who's usually eligible
- You're 18 or over, and at least one buyer is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- You (and your partner) haven't owned a home in Australia before or received a first home grant.
- You move in within 12 months and live there for at least 6 to 12 months, depending on the scheme.
The exact rules differ between the grant and the duty concession, so check each one before you sign.
Federal schemes you can add
5% Deposit Scheme. Buy with a 5% deposit (2% for single parents) and pay no lenders mortgage insurance. There are no income limits or caps on places, but the price must be under the cap for your area: $1,000,000 in ACT. Estimate what you'd save with the LMI calculator.
Help to Buy. The government can take an equity share in your home, so you need a smaller loan. For 2026–27 the income limits are $103,000 for singles and $165,000 for couples and single parents. Property price caps and other conditions apply.
First Home Super Saver scheme. Save part of your deposit inside super, where it's taxed at 15%. You can contribute up to $15,000 a year and release up to $50,000 in total. Our salary sacrifice calculator shows how much you'd save.
Common questions
Is there a first home owner grant in the ACT?
No. It ended on 1 July 2019. The Home Buyer Concession Scheme removes stamp duty instead.
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in the ACT?
Not if eligible for the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, which from 1 July 2026 has no price cap and no income test.
Do I have to be a first home buyer for the ACT concession?
No. You qualify if you and your partner haven't owned property in the last 5 years.
Grants in other states
General information only. Grants and concessions have detailed conditions and can change. Source: ACT Revenue Office; Housing Australia.