How the First Home Guarantee works

The First Home Guarantee (FHBG) is an Australian Government Guarantee that helps first home buyers or buyers who have not owned a property over the past 10 years to buy a home sooner. You can use the FHBG (individually or as joint applicants) to purchase a new or existing home with a deposit of as little as 5 per cent through a participating lender, helping you avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). What’s more, if you’re eligible to borrow, you can use the FHBG in conjunction with other government programs like the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS) or state and territory first home owner grants and stamp duty concessions.

Eligible property types

Only residential properties are eligible for the FHBG. These include:

  • an existing house, townhouse or apartment

  • a house and land package

  • land and a separate contract to build a home

  • an off-the-plan apartment or townhouse.

Specific dates and requirements apply for the different property types.

Eligibility criteria

To apply for the First Home Guarantee, you'll be subject to the following eligibility criteria. You need to be able to provide documentation of your eligibility to secure your position.

Eligibility criteria includes:

  • All applicants can be first home buyers or must not have owned or had an interest in residential property (whether as an investment or owner occupied) in the past 10 years.

  • Individual applicants must have earned less than $125,000 or $200,000 for joint applicants in the last financial year (as evidenced on your ATO Notice of Assessment).

  • All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid Medicare card (or Defence ID).

  • All applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents with either a valid Australian passport, proof of Australian citizenship or proof of Permanent Residency.

  • Applicants must have a deposit of between 5 per cent and 20 per cent of the property’s value.

  • Applicants need to be owner occupiers of the purchased property. FHBG does not support investment properties.

  • Your purchased property must be an acceptable property type and within the property price threshold for the suburb and postcode. You can check the property price cap for your area on Housing Australia., opens in new window

In case you’re eligible for the Regional First Home Buyer Scheme (RFHBG) or the Family Home Guarantee (FHG), you won’t be eligible for the FHBG.

Loan requirements and term limit

  • With a home loan under the FHBG, you’ll need to make scheduled repayments of the principal and interest of the loan for the full loan term. Limited exceptions are available for interest-only loans, relating mainly to construction lending.

  • The loan agreement must have a term of no more than 30 years.

How to apply

There are four simple steps to apply for the First Home Guarantee

  1. Check your eligibility: Use the factsheet and information guide section to check your eligibility.

  2. Get in touch: Book an appointment online, at your local branch or with your broker and complete your NAB home loan application.

  3. Submit your application: Get conditional approval from your banker or broker. They’ll then collect the documents required for eligibility and reserve your place in the Scheme.

  4. Buy your home: You’ll have 90 days to purchase a home after you’re approved in the Scheme, then all you need to do is settle and move in.

Fact sheets and information guides

For more information about your eligibility for the First Home Guarantee, especially price thresholds that apply for your state, refer to:

Ready to get started?

When you’re ready to apply, you can book an appointment online or request a call from a NAB home loan expert who will help you with your application.

Buying your first home

Here are some helpful articles to get you on your way.

Contact us for home loan related queries

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