First home buyer guide
First Home Buyer Guide ACT 2026-27
Complete first home buyer guide for Australian Capital Territory. Stamp duty concessions, First Home Owner Grant, FHSS eligibility, and savings calculator for ACT in 2026-27.
Stamp duty concessions FHOG + FHSS
What first home buyers get in ACT
→ Full stamp duty exemption for eligible first home buyers on all ACT residential properties, with no property value limit (Home Buyer Concession Scheme, from 1 July 2026)
→ The ACT abolished the traditional First Home Owner Grant on 1 July 2019 — no FHOG is available
→ Home Buyer Concession Scheme (HBCS) replaced the FHOG and provides stamp duty relief
→ No income test applies from 1 July 2026 — the previous household income test was removed
→ FHSS scheme available to boost your deposit savings through super
Stamp duty — first home buyer vs standard
See how much you could save on stamp duty as a first home buyer in Australian Capital Territory.
| Property price | Standard duty | FHB duty | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| $400k | $8,000.00 | $0.00 | $8,000.00 |
| $500k | $11,400.00 | $0.00 | $11,400.00 |
| $600k | $15,720.00 | $0.00 | $15,720.00 |
| $700k | $20,040.00 | $0.00 | $20,040.00 |
| $800k | $25,150.00 | $0.00 | $25,150.00 |
| $900k | $31,050.00 | $0.00 | $31,050.00 |
| $1M | $36,950.00 | $0.00 | $36,950.00 |
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FAQ
What is the ACT Home Buyer Concession Scheme?
The ACT Home Buyer Concession Scheme (HBCS) provides a full stamp duty exemption for eligible first home buyers. This replaced the traditional FHOG, which was abolished in the ACT on 1 July 2019. From 1 July 2026, the scheme has no property value limit and no income test — earlier versions of the scheme capped eligibility at $1,020,000 and applied a household income test, both of which have been removed.
Is there an income test for ACT first home buyer benefits?
Not anymore. An income test applied to transactions before 1 July 2026, but from that date the ACT Revenue Office removed the income test entirely — your household income no longer affects eligibility for the stamp duty exemption.
Does the ACT offer a First Home Owner Grant?
No. The ACT abolished the traditional First Home Owner Grant on 1 July 2019. It was replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme (HBCS), which from 1 July 2026 provides a full stamp duty exemption with no property value limit. For eligible buyers, the stamp duty saving under HBCS is worth significantly more than the former grant.
Related calculators
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