Government Launches Help to Buy Shared-Equity Scheme to help First Homebuyers

Government Launches Help to Buy Shared-Equity Scheme to help First Homebuyers

The Australian Government’s new Help to Buy shared-equity scheme goes live this Friday 5th December. This is a major initiative designed to make home ownership more achievable for first-home buyers and those looking to re-enter the market after time away. Here’s the lowdown:

What Is the Help to Buy Scheme?

This is a shared-equity program where the Government contributes a portion of your property’s purchase price, reducing both the deposit required and the size of your home loan.

Up to 40% equity contribution for a new home
Up to 30% for an existing home
Minimum 2% deposit required
You retain full decision-making control and live in the home as normal – the Government simply holds a share of the equity until you choose to buy it out or sell the property
No interest or repayments are required on the Government’s share

Who Can Use It?

The Help to Buy shared-equity scheme is open to:

First-home buyers
Previous homeowners who haven’t owned property in Australia in the last ten years
Australian citizens aged 18+
Applicants within the income thresholds up to $100,000 (single) & $160,000 (couples or single parents)
Buyers purchasing a home to live in, not invest

You’ll also need to meet the relevant property price cap for your region and have savings to cover normal buying costs (conveyancing, inspections, stamp duty where applicable). Click here to check price caps.

What This Means for Homebuyers

First homebuyers or returning homebuyers who previously thought home ownership was out of reach may now find it well within their budget. It could:

Get you into a home, years sooner, even with a modest deposit
Reduce your loan size and lower your monthly repayments
Increase your borrowing power, giving you more choice in the type or location of property you can consider
Help first-home buyers break through the affordability barrier
Support returning buyers who’ve struggled to rebuild deposits or serviceability

Next Steps

If you think Help to Buy might apply to you, friends or family, your local Green Team finance consultant can help you with the details. Book a consult today and together you can:

1. Check your eligibility against income, deposit, and price caps.

2. Compare scenarios – traditional loan vs. Help to Buy – to understand the long-term impact.

3. Review lender options and calculate your potential borrowing capacity under the scheme. Remember, not all banks or lenders will lend on this scheme.

4. Begin exploring suitable properties once you’re clear on your numbers.

Check out the government website HERE for more info, and please request a callback using the form below if you’d like to explore your options.

Published: 3.12.25

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