How QLD First Home Buyer Concessions Could Save You Thousands
For years, Queensland’s first home buyers have been staring at a housing market that seems to move just out of reach every time they save a little more.
Rising property prices, limited land availability, and the ever-present cost of stamp duty have made “the great Australian dream” feel more like a mirage.
But in 2025, that picture is shifting.
With the Queensland Government expanding both first home buyer duty concessions and the first home owner grant, there’s now a rare window of opportunity to make the leap into home ownership.
So, what’s changed, what could you save, and why might this be the right time to get serious? Let’s break it down.
In Short
Queensland has extended the $30,000 first-home owner grant for another 12 months, doubling the previous $15,000 amount.
Stamp duty is now completely abolished for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes, regardless of the property’s value.
Buyers must meet strict eligibility criteria, including never having owned property before and moving into their home within 12 months of settlement.
Property lawyers are crucial for navigating eligibility, contracts, and ensuring buyers don’t miss out on thousands in concessions.
The $30,000 First Home Owner Grant
In June 2025, the Queensland Government announced that the doubled $30,000 first-home owner grant will stick around for another year.
Originally boosted from $15,000 in November 2023, the grant was meant to expire on 30 June 2025, but it’s been given new life.
That’s big news for buyers building or purchasing a new home worth up to $750,000.
As Premier David Crisafulli explained, the extension is “putting the great Australian dream back within reach” and “unlocking the door to home ownership for thousands more Queenslanders who have been locked out from their first home for too long.”
Stamp Duty Concessions
The other big win for buyers is the removal of stamp duty.
From 1 May 2025, Queensland scrapped transfer duty entirely for first-home buyers purchasing new homes or vacant land.
Previously, the full waiver only applied to properties valued under $700,000, with partial concessions up to $800,000.
Now, with the threshold gone, buyers won’t pay a cent in stamp duty no matter the purchase price.
According to Premier David, this ‘stamping out’ of Stamp Duty has paved the way for more home ownership for Queenslanders.
“Now we have abolished stamp duty, Queenslanders building their first home won’t pay a single cent in stamp duty,” he said back in April.
Government figures estimate this initiative will unlock an average saving of $9,906 for a median-priced house and land package across the state, with that figure climbing to $33,500 in Brisbane North’s popular property market and $24,000 in Toowoomba.
Who’s Eligible?
Eligibility rules are strict, and this is where getting professional guidance matters.
To claim the first home (new home) concession for stamp duty, you must:
Be at least 18 and buying as an individual.
Buy a new or substantially renovated home that hasn’t been lived in before.
Move in within a year of settlement and live there as your primary residence.
Never have owned residential property anywhere in Australia or overseas.
Pay market value and provide evidence of the property’s new status.
Importantly, applicants “don’t need to be Australian citizens or permanent residents to claim the concession, but they must meet certain eligibility criteria,” according to the Queensland Government.
If you’re buying with a partner, only one of you needs to qualify, opening up ways to structure purchases strategically.
Unsure about your eligibility? Talk to our professional property lawyers today to prevent costly mistakes before contracts are signed.
What You Need to Watch Out For
While the concessions are generous, there are conditions that can trip buyers up:
Knockdown rebuilds don’t qualify. Buying an existing home to demolish won’t count as “new” under the rules.
Rental restrictions apply. You can’t rent the property before you move in, and you’ll need to wait at least a year after moving in before leasing it out fully.
Foreign buyer duty remains. If you’re a foreign purchaser, additional foreign acquirer duty will still apply.
These fine-print rules are why working with a Queensland property lawyer is essential. They’ll confirm eligibility, flag contract risks, and ensure you don’t lose out on concessions worth tens of thousands of dollars.
The Market Reality
On paper, the combination of a $30,000 grant and no stamp duty looks like a dream deal.
But supply is where reality bites.
According to realestate.com.au, “there are currently no house and land packages listed for $750,000 or less in Greater Brisbane or the Gold Coast regions.”
Some stock remains in Logan City and parts of the Sunshine Coast, but choice is limited.
Meanwhile, land prices are rising sharply.
As Housing Industry Association senior economist Tom Devitt noticed, “The fact that these record low sales volumes occurred at the same time that land prices re-accelerated from record highs, is indicative of shortages of shovel-ready land, driven by the rising cost of providing infrastructure and delays in the planning system.”
In other words, the concessions are generous, but the window to take advantage of them may close quickly if demand pushes prices higher still.
The Bottom Line for Your First Home
Queensland’s new first-home buyer incentives are generous, but they’re also complex.
The rules around eligibility, rental restrictions, and contract timing can make the difference between unlocking savings of tens of thousands or accidentally missing out.
That’s why the smartest move isn’t just jumping into the market, but doing so with expert support.
An experienced property lawyer ensures your contracts qualify, your applications are handled properly, and your settlement goes through without surprises.
For first home buyers, that means confidence not just in buying a home, but in knowing you’ve secured every benefit available.
If you’re ready to take advantage of Queensland’s expanded concessions, now is the time to talk to Legal Synthesis.
We’ll help you navigate the fine print and make sure nothing stands between you and your first home.
Book your free consultation today!
FAQs
How much can a first home buyer save in Queensland in 2025?
First home buyers can save up to $30,000 through the First Home Owner Grant, plus potentially tens of thousands more through stamp duty abolition. The exact savings depend on the purchase price and whether the property qualifies as a new home.
Do I have to be an Australian citizen to get the concession?
No. Applicants don’t need to be Australian citizens or permanent residents to claim the concession, but they must meet certain eligibility criteria.
However, if you are a foreign purchaser, additional foreign acquirer duty may apply.
Does a knockdown rebuild qualify for the stamp duty concession?
No. According to government rules, the concession “does not apply to knockdown rebuilds, which involves buying and demolishing an existing home before building a new house on the land.”
In this case, only other first-home concessions might apply.
Can I rent out a room in my new home?
Yes, but only after you’ve moved in. Once you live in the home, you may lease part of it without losing concessions. To rent out the entire property, you’ll need to wait at least 12 months after moving in.
What happens if I sell or lease my first home within a year?
If you sell, lease or transfer the property within 12 months of moving in, you may lose some or all of your concessions. In some cases, a partial concession may apply, but the upfront savings will be reduced.
You must notify the Queensland Revenue Office of any change in circumstances that affects your ongoing eligibility, and you may be required to repay part or all of the benefit. Failure to notify the QRO can result in significant penalties.