Queensland First Home Buyer Rules Explained

When You Need to Move In – and How Long You Must Stay

Buying your first home in Queensland should feel exciting… but for many first-home buyers, the rules can start to feel confusing very quickly.

Especially around one big question:

When do I need to move into my home, and how long do I need to live there to keep my first-home benefits?

Different incentives have different occupancy rules, and if you get them wrong, you can end up with unexpected bills — such as repaying the First Home Owner Grant or losing your stamp duty concession.

Queensland First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

For new builds and brand-new homes only

The First Home Owner Grant is a one-off payment (typically $15,000, sometimes increased during government boost periods) for first-home buyers building or buying a new home.

Key Rules

You must never have owned and lived in a home before.
The home must be new or substantially renovated.
Value caps apply (usually $750,000 total property value).

Occupancy Requirement

You must move into the home within 12 months of the home being completed/settled.
You must live in it as your principal place of residence for 6 continuous months.

If you don’t meet these rules, you must repay the grant.

Renting the property out before you’ve done your 6-month continuous stay. Even one week of leasing before you’ve lived there can void the grant.

QLD Transfer Duty (Stamp Duty) Concessions & Exemptions

For both new and established homes

Queensland provides generous stamp duty relief for first home buyers — including the recent introduction of zero stamp duty on eligible new homes and vacant land (from 1 May 2025).

Two types of savings apply:

First Home Concession (for established homes) – reduced transfer duty up to certain value limits.
First Home Buyer Exemption (for new homes or vacant land) – full exemption if conditions are met.

Occupancy Requirement

You must move into the home within 12 months of settlement.
You need to intend to live in it as your principal place of residence.

Rule change that helps buyers

Since late 2024, Queensland now allows you to rent out a room (part of the property) during your initial occupancy period without losing the concession — as long as you live there as the main resident.

You cannot buy it purely as an investment property and rent the whole thing out immediately.

3. First Home Guarantee (FHBG)

Federal scheme – reduces deposit to as little as 5%

This scheme (run through Housing Australia) isn’t cash in your pocket, but it lets you buy with a smaller deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Key Rules

Only for owner-occupiers (no investment properties).
Income caps apply.
You must be a first-home buyer OR someone who hasn’t owned a property in the last 10 years.
Property price caps apply (varies by region).

Occupancy Requirement

You must move in within 6 months of settlement (or completion if building).
You must continue living in the property for as long as the guarantee is active (usually until your loan balance falls below the lender’s standard LMI threshold).

If you move out early or convert it to a rental, your lender may require LMI to be back-paid.

4. Other QLD and Federal Incentives to Know About

Regional Home Building Boosts / Builder Grants (when active)

These come and go depending on the government of the day — typically for new builds, with similar occupancy rules to the FHOG.

Stamp Duty Concession for Vacant Land

For first home buyers building a home, you may get a duty exemption on the land itself (from 1 May 2025).
Occupancy follows the same rule: live in the finished home within 12 months.

Help to Buy (Shared Equity Scheme)

When active, this federal scheme allows the government to co-own a portion of your home.
Occupancy rules align with FHBG:

Must move in within 6 months
Must remain an owner-occupier
Cannot rent the home without approval and usually must repay the scheme portion first

Final Thoughts: Why This Matters

Each first-home benefit in Queensland has different rules — and a mistake can cost you:

Losing your stamp duty concession
Being forced to repay the FHOG (plus penalties)
Owing LMI under the First Home Guarantee
Losing eligibility for shared equity or other incentives

The key is aligning your move-in timing, your future plans, and your borrowing strategy.

If you’re unsure which incentives you qualify for — or how long you need to live in your new home — feel free to reach out.
Funded Futures can help you map out the best way to take advantage of these benefits without stepping on any landmines.

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