verve lending - residential mortgage specialist

Five per cent first homebuyer deposit scheme to begin in October

A couple stands hand in hand, admiring their new house and life ahead.
Article By David Humble

The First Home Buyer Guarantee is starting in October 2025 with 5% deposits, no LMI, higher price caps and no income limits. Learn how it works.

SHARING IS CARING

Good news for first home buyers. The federal government has announced that the expansion of the First Home Buyer Guarantee will begin in October – three months earlier than originally promised.

This change is designed to help more Australians enter the property market sooner by reducing one of the biggest barriers to buying a home: the deposit.

What’s Changing?

From October, eligible first home buyers will be able to purchase a property with as little as a 5% deposit, without having to pay lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). For many, this can save tens of thousands of dollars in upfront costs.

A few key updates will also take effect:

  • No more annual caps – the previous limit on how many buyers could access the scheme each year will be removed.

  • Higher property price caps – in recognition of market realities, the maximum property values allowed under the scheme are being lifted:

    • Sydney: $900,000 → $1.5 million

    • Melbourne: $800,000 → $950,000

    • Brisbane: $700,000 → $1 million

    • With similar increases across other regions.

  • No income limits – previous restrictions on buyer income will be scrapped, widening access to the scheme.

According to Treasury estimates, the uncapped scheme could issue an extra 20,000 guarantees in the first year alone. The modelling also suggests buyers could save not only on deposit and LMI costs but also on rent, as they’ll be able to enter the market sooner.

What About the Housing Market?

Treasury’s modelling indicates that the overall impact on house prices will be modest – around a 0.5% increase over six years.

The government has positioned the scheme as part of a broader plan to support housing affordability. Housing Minister Clare O’Neil also announced a temporary pause on most changes to the National Construction Code until 2029, giving builders some breathing space while maintaining safety standards.

A Step Forward for First Home Buyers

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the early start of the scheme is about helping first home buyers achieve their dream of home ownership sooner. Minister O’Neil echoed that sentiment, describing it as a move to give young Australians “a fairer chance” in the market.

While some groups have highlighted that the scheme won’t solve the wider housing affordability challenge on its own, it is expected to provide meaningful help to tens of thousands of buyers.

What This Means for You

If you’re a first home buyer looking to get into the market, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. Buying with a 5% deposit and avoiding LMI can make a significant difference to your upfront costs.

Ready to explore your options?

Every buyer’s situation is different. If you’d like to understand whether you could be eligible under the updated First Home Buyer Guarantee, a mortgage broker can walk you through the details and next steps.

Get in touch with us today for a no-obligation chat about your home loan options.

verve lending - residential mortgage specialist

Serving Perth — From the City to the Coast

Verve Lending works with borrowers right across Perth including Subiaco, Fremantle, Cottesloe, Nedlands, Scarborough, Joondalup, and throughout the wider Perth region. We're also set up to work remotely with clients across Western Australia.

Licensed, Accredited, and Accountable

Verve Lending operates under an Australian Credit Licence and is a proud member of both the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) and the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA). When you work with Verve Lending, you're working with brokers who are legally required to act in your best interest — not the lender's.
VERVE FINANCIAL HOLDINGS PTY LTD (ACN 685 643 627) with Australian Credit Representative Number: 571515 is authorised under Australian Credit Licence: 389087.
Privacy Policy

Ready to Talk? Let's Start With a Conversation.

Whether you're six months from buying, thinking about refinancing, or just want to understand your borrowing capacity, Andrew and Tahlia are available for a no-obligation conversation. Call 0434 125 823 — no automated responses, no offshore call centres.
LET'S TALK: 0434 125 823 Send us a message
IMPORTANT NOTE: All content is general information only and is subject to change at any given time. Your complete financial situation will need to be assessed before acceptance of any proposal or product. Rates and product information should be confirmed with the relevant financial institution, and you should review the PDS before you decide to purchase. Any recommendations made about a financial product are general advice only and has not taken into account your particular needs and circumstances. You should consider the Product Disclosure Statement to determine if the product is suitable for you before you decide to purchase it.