The four incentives making it easier for Australians to buy a home

New incentives have made securing a home easier for first-time buyers or those looking to upgrade.

We detail four changes in 2025 that are helping more buyers secure housing, particularly in Queensland and Victoria.

Interest rate cuts provide relief for buyers and mortgage holders

The Reserve Bank of Australia has officially cut the cash rate by 25 basis points in May, bringing it down to 3.85%. The decision offers welcome relief for buyers and mortgage holders after the rate held steady at 4.10% after the April Reserve Bank Board meeting.

The move aims to ease financial pressure on households, allowing lower repayments, more borrowing power, and, of course, a more affordable path for buyers looking to purchase their dream home.

National incentives are helping more buyers into homes

The Federal Government’s Help to Buy scheme allows eligible buyers to purchase homes with as little as a 2% deposit, with the government contributing up to 40% for new homes and 30% for existing homes.

This shared equity program aims to assist 40,000 Australian households over four years, significantly reducing the amount buyers need to borrow and making home ownership more accessible.

Queensland first home buyers score big with no stamp duty on new builds

Eligible first home buyers in Queensland will now pay zero stamp duty on newly built homes or vacant land to build their dream home, putting them one step closer to home ownership.

The changes, which came into effect on May 1 this year, allow first-time home buyers to receive a full concession on the transfer duty (also known as stamp duty) on eligible homes—this means a potential savings of up to $24,525.

This tax has historically been a major barrier to home ownership, adding thousands to upfront costs and delaying people’s ability to enter the market.

In further good news, the new laws will also allow first home buyers to rent out a room in their first 12 months of ownership, easing the burden of a mortgage from the get-go.

Off-the-plan buyers receive concessions on stamp duty in Victoria

While not a new initiative, the Victorian Government has confirmed that the popular home tax concession on off-the-plan homes will run into next year.

Under the plan, anyone buying off-the-plan properties will have a significant portion of their stamp duty waived, with no cap on the value of the property.

The popular policy will now run until October 2026.

With interest rates easing and new government incentives on offer, there’s never been a better time for new home and apartment buyers. To find out more about our projects in Queensland and Victoria visit https://cdlaustralia.com.au/projects/.