Help to Buy 2026: The Official Rollout
The Federal Government has released the final operational details for the Shared Equity Scheme. Here is the confirmed start date and how to secure your spot.
Official Scheme Details
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Housing Australia has officially confirmed the “Help to Buy” scheme will open applications on July 1, 2026. This national shared equity program aims to assist 40,000 Australians in purchasing a home over the next four years.
Under this scheme, the Federal Government acts as your “silent partner,” contributing up to 40% of the purchase price for a new home and up to 30% for an existing home. This significantly lowers the deposit you need to save and reduces your monthly mortgage repayments.
Minimum Deposit: 2%. Yes, you read that correctly. Participants only need a 2% deposit. Because the government’s equity contribution acts as the remaining deposit, you also avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), which can save you upwards of $15,000 to $30,000 depending on the property value.
The Trade-Off: The government owns a share of your home. If you sell the property later, you must pay back the government’s share plus a percentage of the capital gains (profit). If the market goes up, the government takes their cut of the profit. You can choose to buy out the government’s stake over time in 5% increments.
This initiative is distinct from the First Home Guarantee. While the Guarantee allows a low deposit, Help to Buy actually lowers your loan size, making it easier to service the debt in a high-interest-rate environment.
Who Can Apply? (Strict Criteria)
$90,000 or less for singles. $120,000 or less for couples. Based on the previous financial year’s Notice of Assessment.
You must NOT own any other land or property in Australia or overseas at the time of purchase. However, you don’t have to be a first home buyer (you could be starting over).
Open to Australian Citizens only. Permanent Residents are currently excluded from this specific scheme.
You must live in the property as your principal place of residence. It cannot be used as an investment property or rented out while the government holds equity.
How to Secure Your Spot
Prepare Tax
Get ATO Ready
Lodge Early
Housing Australia assesses income based on your Notice of Assessment (NOA). Ensure your 2025-2026 tax return is lodged immediately after July 1 to have proof of income ready.
Find Lender
Participating Banks
Select Panel
Not all banks offer this scheme. Commonwealth Bank and NAB were key partners in previous guarantees. Check the Housing Australia website for the 2026 participating lender list.
Price Caps
Know Your Limit
State Limits
Property price caps apply. E.g., Sydney/NSW Regional centres may have a cap around $950k, while smaller regions are lower. Buying above the cap disqualifies you.
The Queue
10,000 Spots
First Come…
Spots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Having pre-approval with a participating lender allows you to reserve a spot the moment the portal opens.
Mortgage Reduction Calculator
See how much the 40% government contribution lowers your loan.
Loan Amount WITH Scheme
vs Standard Loan: $0
Risks You Must Know
โ ๏ธ Income Check Triggers
If your income exceeds the cap ($90k/$120k) for two consecutive years after you buy the home, you will be required to start buying back the government’s share. This could force you to refinance your mortgage unexpectedly. Ensure you can afford the repayments if you get a promotion or pay rise.
Essential Related Reading
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Direct Portals
Read the Investment Mandate โ ATO Notice of Assessment
Login to MyGov to access NOA โ
