Selling in QLD? What You Should Know About First-Home Buyer Grants & Concessions

1. Key First-Home Buyer Incentives in QLD (2025+)

Below are the major grants, concessions, and rule changes in QLD that affect first-home buyers — and in turn, influence your sale.

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) QLD

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) offers $30,000 to eligible first-home buyers purchasing or building a new home valued at $750,000 or less (including land or contract).

For sellers: If your listing is a brand-new or substantially newly built property under $750,000, promote it as “grant eligible” to attract buyers leveraging the scheme.

First Home (New Home) Stamp Duty / Transfer Duty Concession / Exemption

From 1 May 2025, eligible first-home buyers may receive a full exemption from transfer duty (stamp duty = $0) on qualifying new homes — with no value cap on the property or land.

For sellers: If your property is new (never lived in) and your contract date is after 1 May 2025, you can advertise “no stamp duty for eligible first-home buyers” — a huge selling point.

First Home Vacant Land Concession

Buyers purchasing vacant land to build their first home can access duty concessions — full exemption up to $350,000 and concessional rates from $350,001 to $500,000.

For sellers: If you’re selling a vacant lot or house-and-land package within these limits, you can target buyers planning to build their first home.

Home / First-Home Concessions (Existing Homes)

Even if not brand new, there are still duty concessions for first-home buyers purchasing to occupy the home:

• Full duty exemption under $700,000
• Concessional (reduced) duty from $700,001 to $800,000

For sellers: If your property is under $700,000, you can attract first-home buyers who pay no stamp duty at all — a key advantage in marketing.

Subletting / Renting Rooms Without Losing Incentives

As of December 2024, QLD first-home owners can rent out a room (part of their home) without losing grant or concession eligibility — a major rule change that adds flexibility.

For sellers: You can highlight this benefit: “Rent out a room without losing your grant” — appealing to younger or shared-living buyers.

Shared-Equity / Other Support Schemes

Expected mid-2025, the “Boost to Buy” Shared Equity Scheme will let eligible buyers purchase with as little as 2% deposit, with the government contributing up to 30% of the price for new homes (25% for existing homes).

For sellers: If your property qualifies, note that “eligible for Boost to Buy” can attract more buyers who otherwise couldn’t afford to purchase.

2. What This Means for You as a Seller in QLD

Understanding these incentives allows you to market, price, and time your sale to maximise demand. Here’s how:

a) Price Near But Under Key Thresholds

• If your home is valued near $700,000, pricing just below it opens you to buyers who pay no stamp duty.
• For new homes post–May 2025, the no-cap duty exemption offers flexibility to price higher without excluding eligible buyers.
• For vacant land, pricing under $350,000 keeps it eligible for full exemption.

b) Emphasise “Grant / No Stamp Duty / First-Home Buyer Friendly” in Marketing

Use strong, benefits-focused phrases such as:

• “First-home buyer eligible”
• “No stamp duty for eligible buyers (new home)”
• “Zero duty under $700k”
• “Rent out a room from day one without penalty”

Ensure your agent or marketing team understands which incentives apply so they can promote your property accurately and confidently.

c) Highlight “New / Never Lived In / Substantially Renovated” Status

For the new-home duty exemption, your property must qualify as new — meaning never lived in or substantially renovated. If it doesn’t, you can still appeal to buyers under the standard first-home concession (for existing homes under $700k).

d) Timing Matters

Contracts dated on or after 1 May 2025 qualify for the new full duty exemption. Align your campaign timeline and contract date accordingly to ensure your buyers can access it.

e) Know the Pitfalls & Caveats

• If your home isn’t “new,” it won’t qualify for the new-home duty exemption.
• Buyers must occupy the home within the required timeframe and maintain it as their main residence.
• Selling or renting out the full property too soon can void concessions.
• Mixed-use properties (e.g. with commercial portions) may only get partial exemptions.
• Check that your information reflects the most recent QLD Revenue Office updates before advertising.

3. Final Takeaway for Sellers

First-home buyer incentives in Queensland are shifting fast — and sellers who understand them can price and promote more effectively. Whether it’s leveraging the new duty exemption, targeting the under-$700k bracket, or appealing to shared-equity buyers, small adjustments in messaging can lead to faster sales and better offers.

Pro Tip:
Include “eligible for first-home buyer grants and concessions” in your listing headline — it grabs attention and signals added buyer value instantly.

Conclusion

By staying informed about QLD’s latest first-home buyer incentives, you can position your property to reach a broader and more motivated audience. The key is understanding eligibility rules, timing your campaign around policy changes, and clearly communicating benefits in your marketing.

Need help marketing your QLD property to first-home buyers? Contact No Agent Property — we’ll help you craft a strategy that highlights your property’s buyer appeal and maximises your selling potential.