First Home Buyers
East Maitland Conveyancing can assist you with purchasing property in NSW and advise you of any grants available.
Information on the Governments First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme and Housing Australia is below
First Home BUYERS ASSISTANCE SCHEME
If you are a first home buyer in NSW, you may be eligible for a full exemption or a reduced rate of transfer duty under the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme:
- the purchase must be for a new or existing home, or vacant land in NSW
- the property value must be within the threshold amounts
- the transfer must be for the whole property
- you must be an individual, (not a company or trust*)
- you must be over 18*
- you and your spouse or partner, must never have owned or co-owned residential property in Australia
- you and your spouse or partner, must never have previously received an exemption or concession under the scheme
- at least one of the first home buyers must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- for new or existing homes, you must meet the requirements for living in the property.
*This requirement may be waived upon application. Contact Revenue NSW for more information.
Members of the Australian Defence Force
If you are a member of the permanent forces of the Australian Defence Force when you exchange contracts, you won’t have to meet these residence requirements if you and everyone you’re buying with is on the NSW electoral roll.
How East Maitland Conveyancing can help
At East Maitland Conveyancing, we assist first home buyers by:
Assist you with arranging a building and pest report and if required a strata report
Reviewing your contract and negotiations on the contract before you sign
Explaining your legal obligations in plain English
Assisting with first home buyer scheme requirements
Liaising with your lender, broker, agent and the other party’s conveyancer
Guiding you through exchange, settlement and beyond
Whether you are buying a house, unit, townhouse or vacant land, we are here to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Thinking about buying your first home?
Contact East Maitland Conveyancing before signing a contract so we can help you understand your rights, obligations and any first home buyer assistance that may be available to you.
Housing Australia
The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme and the Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme, administered by Housing Australia, support eligible home buyers into home ownership, sooner.
To learn more about these Schemes, including eligibility requirements visit the First Home Buyers website.
Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme
Low deposit, no LMI
Imagine unlocking the door to your very own home, sooner than you ever thought possible. Fast-track your path to home ownership with the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, formerly known as the Home Guarantee Scheme.
The Scheme has recently expanded its eligibility, so more aspiring home buyers just like you can make home ownership more achievable sooner with a small deposit.
Minimum 5% deposit for first home buyers
Minimum 2% deposit for single parents
Key features
Buy with a lower home deposit
No income caps
Save on upfront fees
Buy a house, townhouse or unit, existing or new build
Unlimited Scheme places and no waiting list
Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme
Bridging the gap to buying your new home
Help to Buy is a new scheme designed to make home ownership more achievable with shared equity support from the Australian Government. If you have saved what you can, but are still a little short of being able to buy a home that meets your needs, Help to Buy may be able to bridge the gap.
Applications open Friday, 5 December 2025.
Minimum 2% deposit
Key features
Buy with as low as a 2% deposit
Government contributes up to 30% or 40% towards your home purchase
The home is yours to live in and enjoy
Repay the Government contribution when you can or when you sell
Open to both first and previous homeowners
First Home Super saver Scheme
This well-established program lets you make extra voluntary contributions to your super fund, you can grow your savings faster and take advantage of lower tax rates, all to help you buy or build your first home.
Contact East Maitland Conveyancing before signing a contract so we can help you understand your rights, obligations and any first home buyer assistance that may be available to you.
Key features
Save up to $50,000 plus associated earnings towards your first home
Lower tax rates help your savings grow faster
Flexible contributions - choose how and when you contribute
Use with other government home buying schemes
Buy your first home with a partner, sibling or friend
Interested in our services? We’re here to help!
If you're interested in purchasing, leasing or selling; contact us today to see how we can assist in your future journey!
