Help to Buy is a federal government scheme designed to make it easier for Australians to buy a home. If saving a big deposit or qualifying for a large loan has been holding you back, this could help.
How it works
Help to Buy is a shared equity scheme — meaning the government buys a share of the property with you.
- The government can contribute up to 40% of the price for a new home
- Or up to 30% for an existing home
This means:
- You don’t need to borrow as much from the bank
- You may only need a 2% deposit
- You can avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), even with a small deposit
- Your monthly repayments are lower because your loan is smaller
You still live in the home as the owner, and over time you can choose to buy back the government’s share if you want to.
When does it start?
Help to Buy will be run by Housing Australia. It will begin once the official Program Directions are in place. Right now, an exact start date hasn’t been confirmed.
Why it could be a game-changer
If high prices or slow savings have kept you out of the market, this scheme could help you:
- Reduce upfront costs
- Take out a smaller home loan
- Lower your monthly repayments
- Avoid LMI, even with a low deposit
- Get into the market sooner, before prices rise further
Things to keep in mind
With Help to Buy, the government owns a share of your home, so if you sell, they’ll receive the same share of any profit. There will also be limited places available each year, so it’s very much first in, best dressed.
You’ll need to meet eligibility criteria, including income limits and property price caps that depend on where you live and the value of the home. Getting advice on your personal situation can help you decide if the scheme is the right fit for you.