First Home Buyer Grants & Concessions in WA: A 2026 Guide for Perth’s Northern Suburbs
First home buyer help
- Eligible first home buyers in WA can access the $10,000 First Home Owner Grant on a new build.
- Stamp duty is fully waived on homes up to $450,000, with a concession up to $600,000.
- Federal schemes include the First Home Guarantee (5% deposit, no LMI), Help to Buy, and the First Home Super Saver.
- In the right circumstances, multiple schemes can be stacked together.
- Mullaloo, Kallaroo and parts of Hillarys still have stock in the $450,000 to $600,000 range.
- Speak with a mortgage broker to confirm which schemes you qualify for.
If you are buying your first home in Perth, the Western Australian government has financial assistance available that can meaningfully reduce what you need upfront. Between the First Home Owner Grant, stamp duty exemptions, and federal co-ownership schemes, eligible buyers can access thousands of dollars in relief, and in some cases, eliminate stamp duty entirely.
This guide covers every grant and concession available to first home buyers in WA in 2026, with a specific focus on what is relevant if you are looking at Perth’s northern coastal suburbs, including Hillarys, Mullaloo, Kallaroo, and the surrounding family-friendly areas.
What Is the First Home Owner Grant in WA?
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in Western Australia is a one-off payment from the State Government to eligible first home buyers. It is designed to help offset the cost of purchasing or building a new home.
In 2026, the grant amount is $10,000 for eligible applicants who build or purchase a new home. This applies to homes where the total value does not exceed $750,000, and the property must be used as the applicant’s primary place of residence for a continuous period of at least six months within the first twelve months of ownership.
The FHOG is administered by the Western Australian Office of State Revenue and can be applied for through your lender or directly through the OSR at the time of settlement.
Who Is Eligible for the First Home Owner Grant in WA?
To qualify for the FHOG in Western Australia, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- You are a natural person, not a company or trust
- You are at least 18 years of age
- You, or at least one applicant in a joint application, are an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- You have not previously owned residential property in Australia before 1 July 2000
- You have not previously received a First Home Owner Grant in any Australian state or territory
- The property is a new home (newly built, substantially renovated, or purchased off the plan)
- The property value does not exceed $750,000
- You will occupy the property as your principal place of residence within twelve months of settlement or completion
If you are purchasing an established (existing) home, you do not qualify for the FHOG. However, you may still qualify for stamp duty concessions, which are covered further below.
Stamp Duty Relief for First Home Buyers in WA
Stamp duty, formally known as transfer duty, is one of the largest upfront costs in a property transaction. For first home buyers in WA, the State Government provides significant relief through both full exemptions and reduced rates.
What Are the Stamp Duty Thresholds for First Home Buyers?
The thresholds that apply in 2026 are as follows:
For new or established homes
Full exemption: Property valued at or below $450,000
Concessional rate: Property valued between $450,001 and $600,000 (a concession applies on a sliding scale, reducing the amount of duty payable)
Standard duty applies: Property valued above $600,000
For vacant land
Full exemption: Land valued at or below $300,000
Concessional rate: Land valued between $300,001 and $400,000
These thresholds make a significant difference for buyers entering the market at more affordable price points. Use our stamp duty calculator to work out exactly what you would owe based on your purchase price.
How Much Can You Actually Save on Stamp Duty?
To put these figures into context, stamp duty on a $450,000 property for a standard (non-first-home-buyer) purchaser would be approximately $13,426. A first home buyer at that same price pays nothing. For a property at $530,000, the concession reduces the duty payable substantially compared to the full rate.
That is a material saving, and one that directly reduces the cash you need at settlement.
Related → How Is Stamp Duty Calculated in WA | When Do You Pay Stamp Duty in WA
Federal Schemes Available to First Home Buyers in 2026
Alongside state-level grants and concessions, the Australian Federal Government runs several schemes specifically designed to assist first home buyers. These are administered through Housing Australia.
The First Home Guarantee (FHBG)
The First Home Guarantee allows eligible first home buyers to purchase a home with as little as a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). The federal government guarantees the remaining portion of the deposit up to 15%, effectively bridging the gap.
LMI typically costs thousands of dollars and is charged by lenders when a borrower has less than a 20% deposit. Avoiding it represents a direct financial saving.
Key eligibility conditions include:
- Australian citizens or permanent residents aged 18 or over
- Individual applicants earning no more than $125,000 per year; joint applicants earning no more than $200,000 combined
- The property must be owner-occupied
- Property price caps apply by location (in Perth metro, the cap for 2025-26 is $700,000)
- Places are limited each financial year, so timing matters
The Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee (RFHBG)
This scheme mirrors the First Home Guarantee but is specifically for buyers purchasing in regional areas. While Perth’s northern coastal suburbs fall within the metropolitan area, buyers considering properties further north (such as Yanchep or Two Rocks) may qualify under regional definitions depending on the current classification schedule.
The Help to Buy Scheme
The Help to Buy scheme is a shared equity program where the federal government co-purchases a portion of your home, reducing the size of your mortgage. The government takes an equity stake of up to 30% for existing homes or 40% for new builds, which you can buy back over time.
Income caps apply (similar to the First Home Guarantee), and the scheme is subject to legislation and implementation timelines. Speak with a mortgage broker to confirm current availability and whether this scheme suits your situation.
The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)
The First Home Super Saver Scheme allows you to make voluntary contributions into your superannuation fund and then withdraw those funds (plus associated earnings) to use as a deposit. You can withdraw up to $50,000 in eligible contributions per person.
The tax advantage comes from the fact that voluntary super contributions are taxed at 15%, which is typically lower than your marginal income tax rate. For a couple, this scheme can combine to provide up to $100,000 in deposit savings, potentially with a meaningful tax benefit along the way.
How Do These Schemes Work Together?
Important: First home buyers are not limited to a single scheme. In the right circumstances, multiple forms of assistance can stack together.
For example, a couple purchasing a new home at $500,000 in Perth’s northern suburbs could potentially:
- Receive the $10,000 First Home Owner Grant (new build only)
- Pay zero stamp duty (below $450,000 threshold, or a concessional amount just above)
- Use the First Home Guarantee to purchase with a 5% deposit and avoid LMI
- Have saved their deposit using the FHSSS for additional tax efficiency
Not every combination applies to every situation, and eligibility conditions vary. This is exactly where having a mortgage broker in your corner matters. Adam Donald at Listed runs our finance division with access to around 30 lenders, meaning he can identify which schemes you qualify for and structure your application accordingly. Learn more about our finance services.
Why Perth’s Northern Suburbs Remain a Realistic Entry Point
Perth’s northern coastal suburbs, particularly Mullaloo, Kallaroo, and parts of Hillarys, continue to offer entry-level stock that intersects meaningfully with grant and stamp duty thresholds. While median prices in these areas have moved upward over recent years, there are still properties available in the $450,000 to $600,000 range, particularly for units, townhouses, and some smaller homes on more compact blocks.
For first home buyers, this is strategically important. Purchasing at or below the $450,000 threshold means full stamp duty exemption. Purchasing below $600,000 means at least a partial concession. In a market where upfront costs are the primary barrier to entry, these thresholds are worth understanding before you set your search parameters.
Suburbs such as Mullaloo and Kallaroo also offer a lifestyle proposition that is often overlooked in favour of the inner city: proximity to beaches, established schools, family-friendly streetscapes, and a genuine community feel. For buyers who want to enter the market without sacrificing liveability, the northern coastal corridor is worth serious consideration.
Explore our suburb pages for Mullaloo, Kallaroo, and Hillarys to get a sense of what is currently available and what prices look like in each area.
What Steps Should a First Home Buyer Take Next?
If you are preparing to buy your first home in Perth’s northern suburbs, here is a practical sequence to follow:
At Listed, Jonathan and Paula Alsford work directly with buyers and sellers across Hillarys, Mullaloo, and Kallaroo. There are no juniors managing your file. If you have questions about the market, what properties are realistically available in your budget, or how the grant and concession landscape affects your purchasing options, speak with them directly.
Related → Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent | How Much Do Real Estate Agents Charge
Ready to start? Contact Listed Estate Agents to start a conversation about your first home purchase in Perth’s northern suburbs.
The grant amounts, thresholds, and scheme details in this guide reflect information available at the time of publication for the 2025-26 and 2026 period. Government programs are subject to change. Always confirm current eligibility conditions with the WA Office of State Revenue and a qualified mortgage broker before making financial decisions.
