First Home Buyer Grants in South Australia: Maximising Your Support
Buying your first home in Adelaide is an exciting milestone. However, the upfront costs can feel like a major hurdle.
Fortunately, South Australian first home buyers have access to some of the most supportive government incentives in the country.
Recent changes to grants and concessions have made homeownership more accessible.. Understanding these options early can improve your savings strategy. It can also help you buy with more confidence.
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
The South Australian Government offers a $15,000 First Home Owner Grant to eligible buyers.. The grant helps first home buyers cover the cost of buying or building a new home.
Key eligibility criteria include:
- Property Type: The home must be brand new (never lived in or sold) or a substantially renovated home.
- Residency: You must live in the property as your principal place of residence for at least six continuous months within the first year of settlement or completion.
- Property Value: For contracts entered into on or after 6 June 2024, the South Australian Government has abolished the property value cap for the FHOG, meaning more buyers can access this support regardless of the purchase price.
- Previous Property Ownership: Different ownership rules apply from 13 February 2025. Previous residential property ownership in Australia may affect your eligibility.
Stamp Duty Abolition
One of the most significant recent changes for Adelaide buyers is the abolition of stamp duty for eligible first home buyers. Stamp duty is typically one of the largest upfront costs when purchasing a property, but if you are buying or building a new home, you may now pay zero stamp duty.
Similar to the FHOG, there are no property price caps for this relief on contracts entered into on or after 6 June 2024. This change alone can save buyers tens of thousands of dollars—for example, a buyer of a $750,000 new home could receive relief of up to $50,000 when combining the stamp duty exemption and the FHOG.
Additional Support Schemes
Beyond the main state grants, first home buyers in Adelaide may also explore:
- HomeStart Finance: HomeStart offers low-deposit home loans for eligible South Australian buyers. Some options may require a deposit of only 2%.
- Federal Government Guarantees: From 1 October 2025, the First Home Guarantee allows eligible buyers to purchase with as little as a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
What This Means for You
Navigating grants and concessions is about more than just finding “free money”—it’s about how these incentives interact with your loan structure and long-term financial goals. Because eligibility rules and application timelines can be strict, getting local guidance early in the process ensures you don’t miss out on the support you’re entitled to.
Ready to see which grants you may qualify for? Book a free home loan chat with our team. We can discuss your situation, available grants and home loan options.