Help to Buy Scheme Brisbane: How to Buy a Home with Just a 2% Deposit in 2025
Help to Buy Scheme: How Brisbane Buyers Can Get into a Home with Just a 2% Deposit
For years, the biggest barrier to home ownership in Brisbane hasn’t been finding the right property, it’s been saving a 20% deposit while rents climb and prices keep moving. From 5 December 2025, that equation changes.
The Australian Government’s new Help to Buy shared-equity scheme allows eligible buyers to get into a home with as little as a 2% deposit, with the Government chipping in up to 40% of the purchase price for new homes and up to 30% for existing homes.
For Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast buyers, the scheme has been deliberately designed around current market realities with property price caps up to $1,000,000 in capital city and major regional areas.
Below, we break down how Help to Buy works, who it’s for, and what it could mean if you’re trying to purchase a home in South-East Queensland.
What is the Help to Buy scheme?
Help to Buy is a federal shared-equity scheme that lets you co-purchase a home with the Australian Government.
The Government contributes:
Up to 40% of the price of a new build or newly built home
Up to 30% of the price of an existing home
You contribute:
A minimum 2% deposit of the purchase price
A standard home loan for the remainder from a participating lender
You own and live in the home but the Government holds an equity share that matches its contribution. When you sell, or when you choose to buy back their share, you share any capital gains or losses in proportion to the ownership split.
The scheme will support up to 40,000 households over four years (10,000 places per year) across participating states and territories.
How does Help to Buy work?
Here’s the simple version of what happens when you buy using Help to Buy:
1. You save at least a 2% deposit
For a $700,000 existing townhouse, that’s a $14,000 minimum deposit (plus costs).
2. You apply through a participating lender
At launch, Help to Buy is available through Commonwealth Bank and Bank Australia (formerly Bank of Australia), not directly through the Government.
3. Your lender checks if you qualify
They assess your income, savings, debts and whether Help to Buy is actually needed. If you can comfortably buy without the scheme, you won’t be eligible.
4. The Government contributes equity at settlement
At settlement, the Government pays its share (up to 30% existing / 40% new), registered as a second mortgage on the property.
5. You make repayments only on your bank loan
You don’t pay rent on the Government’s share.
You just pay your home loan as usual, but on a significantly smaller principal.
6. Later, you can buy back the Government’s share
Through voluntary lump-sum repayments (often in 5% increments), or
When you sell the property, at which point the Government receives its percentage of the sale price.
Brisbane example*:
Purchase price (existing home in Brisbane): $800,000
Your deposit (2%): $16,000
Government contribution (30%): $240,000
Your loan (approx.): $544,000
Instead of borrowing $784,000 with a small deposit and paying LMI, you borrow much less and avoid lenders’ mortgage insurance. Your monthly repayments and long-term interest bill are significantly lower, which can be the difference between “just out of reach” and “finally possible”.
*Please note this is a simplified illustration only, not advice.
Help to Buy eligibility checklist
Help to Buy is tightly targeted at low-and middle-income earners who have saved what they can but are still short of buying a suitable home. To be eligible, all of the following high-level criteria apply:
Personal & income requirements
You must be an Australian citizen, aged 18 or over
Your taxable income must be:
$100,000 or less for single applicants, or
$160,000 or less for joint applicants or single parents
You must live in the property as your principal place of residence (no investors)
Deposit & finance
You must have saved a minimum 2% deposit
You need to qualify for a standard home loan with a participating lender
You must be able to cover upfront and ongoing property costs (rates, insurance, maintenance, body corporate, etc.)
Property ownership rules
You cannot currently own property in Australia or overseas
There are specific exemptions for single parents who may be selling or buying out a co-owner’s share.
Ongoing obligations
Once you’re in Help to Buy, you must:
Maintain the property in good condition
Keep it properly insured
Participate in periodic reviews, including income checks and updates to your circumstances
If your income rises above the thresholds for a sustained period, you may be required to buy back part or all of the Government’s share, depending on policy settings and your capacity at that time.
Help to Buy price caps in Brisbane, Gold Coast & across Australia
You can only use Help to Buy if the purchase price is at or below the cap for your location. Caps differ by state and region and are aligned with current market conditions.
Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast: up to $1,000,000
Regional Queensland: up to $700,000
Sydney & New South Wales regional centres: up to $1,300,000
Melbourne & Victoria regional centres: up to $950,000
Adelaide: up to $900,000
Perth: up to $850,000
Canberra: up to $1,000,000
Western Australia and Tasmania have not yet passed enabling legislation, so Help to Buy is not currently available in those states.
For example, a qualifying buyer could use Help to Buy to purchase:
An inner-Brisbane apartment or townhouse up to $1m
A lifestyle home on the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast up to $1m, or
A home in many other QLD regions up to $700k, subject to lender and scheme criteria
Where is Help to Buy available and who are the lenders?
At launch, Help to Buy is available in:
Queensland
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
Australian Capital Territory
Northern Territory
And it is offered through two participating lenders:
Commonwealth Bank
Bank Australia
You cannot apply directly through Housing Australia or the Government, everything runs through these lenders, often with the help of a mortgage broker.
Help to Buy vs the 5% Deposit Scheme (Home Guarantee)
Help to Buy is launching into a landscape that already includes the very popular 5% Deposit Scheme (formerly First Home Guarantee). Here’s how they differ at a high level:
Help to Buy (2% + Shared Equity)
Minimum deposit: 2%
Government role: Co-owner via equity contribution (up to 30–40%)
LMI: Not payable
Mortgage size: Smaller, because Government funds a share
Places: 10,000 per year (capped)
Income caps: Yes – $100k / $160k
Ownership: You share gains/losses with Government
5% Deposit Scheme (No Equity, Government Guarantee)
Minimum deposit: 5%
Government role: Guarantees part of your loan, no equity share
LMI: Not payable
Mortgage size: Larger, you still borrow up to 95%
Places: Unlimited from Oct 2025
Income caps: Removed under current settings
Ownership: You own 100% of the property
In practice, many buyers will work with a broker to see which path:
Delivers the lowest long-term cost
Fits their income and deposit
Aligns with their future plans (e.g. upgrading in 5–10 years vs holding for the long term)
Pros & cons of Help to Buy (especially for Brisbane buyers)
Potential benefits:
Get in with a much smaller deposit (2% instead of 10-20%)
Access better-located or better-quality homes within the caps, not just fringe stock
Lower mortgage repayments thanks to a smaller loan balance
No lenders’ mortgage insurance, often saving tens of thousands of dollars
Not limited to first-home buyers, also open to eligible return buyers and some single parents
Key factors to consider:
You don’t keep 100% of the capital growth, the Government is a co-owner
Limited number of places (10,000 a year nationally), they can be highly competitive
Only two lenders at launch, which may narrow product choice
Income monitoring - if your income rises above the threshold for a sustained period, you may need to start buying back equity sooner
You must live in the property; this is not an investor-focused scheme
For some Brisbane buyers, particularly essential workers and young families trying to stay close to work, schools and transport, these trade-offs may be worth it. For others, the expanded 5% Deposit Scheme or a private guarantor loan may make more sense.
Is Help to Buy right for you if you’re buying in Brisbane?
If you:
Have good income stability but struggle to save a big deposit
Want to stay close to the CBD, river or lifestyle suburbs instead of being pushed to the outer fringe
Are comfortable sharing future capital gains in exchange for lower repayments today
…then Help to Buy is worth a serious look, especially with Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast caps at $1m.
At North South Real Estate (NSRE), we’re already seeing enquiry from buyers who:
Qualify on income
Have genuine savings but
Have been stuck renting while the market moves ahead of them.
Help to Buy won’t fix Australia’s structural housing shortage but for only 10,000 households a year, it could be the difference between renting indefinitely and finally owning a home that suits their life.
Next steps if you’re considering Help to Buy
1. Check your eligibility: Use the official Help to Buy eligibility tool on the Government’s First Home Buyers website: https://firsthomebuyers.gov.au/
2. Speak with a qualified mortgage broker or lender: Ask them to compare Help to Buy vs the 5% Deposit Scheme vs a standard loan for your situation.
3. Get clear on your budget & buying strategy: Once you know your price range, we can help you target suburbs and property types that maximise lifestyle and long-term value within the cap.
4. Work with a local expert in Brisbane & the Gold Coast: At NSRE, we specialise in inner-Brisbane, riverfront and lifestyle-driven properties, as well as high-quality apartments and townhomes that fit within the Help to Buy price caps.
Disclaimer: The information above is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek independent legal, financial and tax advice and confirm all eligibility and policy details with a qualified advisor, your lender and the official Government resources before making any decision.
FAQs
Q: How does the Help to Buy scheme work in Brisbane?
A: Help to Buy lets eligible Brisbane buyers purchase a new or existing home with as little as a 2% deposit, with the Australian Government contributing up to 40% of the price for new homes or 30% for existing homes. You then take out a smaller mortgage for the remaining balance and avoid paying lenders’ mortgage insurance, while sharing future gains or losses with the Government.
Q: What is the Help to Buy price cap for Queensland?
A: In Queensland, the Help to Buy property price cap is $1,000,000 for Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast (classified as capital city and regional centres) and $700,000 for other areas of the state. Properties must be at or below these caps to qualify.
Q: Who is eligible for the Help to Buy scheme?
A: To qualify, you must be an Australian citizen aged 18 or over, earn no more than $100,000 as a single or $160,000 as a couple or single parent, have saved at least a 2% deposit, not currently own property (with some exceptions for single parents), and intend to live in the property as your principal place of residence. Eligibility is also subject to ongoing income and property requirements.
Summary
Buy with just a 2% deposit: Help to Buy lets eligible buyers purchase with as little as a 2% deposit, with the Government contributing up to 40% (new) or 30% (existing).
Smaller loan, no LMI: The Government’s equity reduces your mortgage size and removes lenders’ mortgage insurance, helping lower your repayments.
Income & price caps apply: Singles up to $100k and couples/single parents up to $160k can qualify, with property caps up to $1m in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
NSRE finds the right properties: As your Buyer’s Advocates we identify quality homes and apartments that fit both Help to Buy rules and your lifestyle, so every inspection is genuinely worth your time.
NSRE guides you end-to-end: Working with your broker and lender, we help you shortlist, negotiate and secure the right property under Help to Buy, from first viewing through to settlement.