First home buyer guide
First Home Buyer Guide ACT 2025-26
Complete first home buyer guide for Australian Capital Territory. Stamp duty concessions, First Home Owner Grant, FHSS eligibility, and savings calculator for ACT in 2025-26.
Stamp duty concessions FHOG + FHSS
What first home buyers get in ACT
→ Full stamp duty exemption for eligible first home buyers on properties up to $1,000,000 (Home Buyer Concession Scheme)
→ The ACT abolished the traditional First Home Owner Grant on 1 July 2019 — no FHOG is available
→ Home Buyer Concession Scheme (HBCS) replaced the FHOG and provides stamp duty relief
→ Income test applies: household income must be under $160,000 (one of the most generous duty exemptions in Australia)
→ FHSS scheme available to boost your deposit savings through super
Stamp duty — first home buyer vs standard
See how much you could save on stamp duty as a first home buyer in Australian Capital Territory.
| Property price | Standard duty | FHB duty | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| $400k | $8,000.00 | $0.00 | $8,000.00 |
| $500k | $11,400.00 | $0.00 | $11,400.00 |
| $600k | $15,720.00 | $0.00 | $15,720.00 |
| $700k | $20,040.00 | $0.00 | $20,040.00 |
| $800k | $25,150.00 | $0.00 | $25,150.00 |
| $900k | $31,050.00 | $0.00 | $31,050.00 |
| $1M | $36,950.00 | $0.00 | $36,950.00 |
Related tools
FAQ
What is the ACT Home Buyer Concession Scheme?
The ACT Home Buyer Concession Scheme (HBCS) provides a full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $1,000,000 for eligible first home buyers. This replaced the traditional FHOG, which was abolished in the ACT on 1 July 2019. It comes with an income test — your total household income must be under $160,000 per year.
Is there an income test for ACT first home buyer benefits?
Yes, the ACT is unique in applying an income test to its Home Buyer Concession. Your total household income must be under $160,000 to qualify for the stamp duty exemption. Other states generally do not have income tests for their stamp duty concessions.
Does the ACT offer a First Home Owner Grant?
No. The ACT abolished the traditional First Home Owner Grant on 1 July 2019. It was replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme (HBCS), which provides a full stamp duty exemption on properties up to $1,000,000. For many buyers, the stamp duty saving under HBCS is worth significantly more than the former grant.