The Help To Buy Scheme is a shared equity program by the Australian Government designed to help eligible buyers purchase a home sooner by contributing directly toward the purchase price. The Australian Government will contribute up to 30% for existing homes or 40% for newly built homes toward the purchase price,  reducing the home loan amount required from you as the buyer.

When you buy a home through the Help to buy scheme, you will own the property but share some of the equity with the Government. As the Australian Government has contributed to purchasing the property, the Government will proportionally share any gains or losses made when you sell your home or when you buy out the Government’s equity share.  The scheme can only be applied for through an approved scheme lender and there are only 10,000 scheme places available.

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Ongoing Obligations & Existing the Scheme

Whilst you are part of the Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme, you will be required to:

1) Remain living in the home as your principal place of residence

2) Keep the home insured & well maintained.

3) Participate in review such as, but not limited to, providing your updated income details and information about key changes to your personal circumstances.

There are 3 ways to leave the scheme:

1) Make incremental repayments to the Government from your savings to increase your equity share over time

2) Buy back all or some of the Government’s equity, through additional lending

3) Sell your home and pay back the Government equity percentage from the proceeds of sale.

Eligibility Criteria

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1) Minimum 18 years of age

2) Minimum deposit must be genuine savings of 2% of the purchase price plus all fees

3) Must be Australian citizens

4) Annual income caps of $100,000 for individuals, $160,000 for single parents & combined $160,000 for couples, as shown on ATO Notice of Assessment for the 2025 financial year

5) Property must be for owner occupied purposes & be the principal place of residence

6) Individuals who do not currently own a property in Australia or overseas.  There are exceptions for single parents who own property jointly with someone else and want to buy out the other person's share or intend to sell their existing ownership

7) Cannot be used in conjunction with other Government schemes including shared equity schemes, loans or guarantees provided by States or Territories to support the purchase. However, you can still benefit from stamp duty concessions, grants and other exemptions.

8) Currently not available in Western Australia and Tasmania. 

9) Maximum property purchase prices as per table below

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For more information contact an Assured Lending Mortgage Broker today

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