Help to Buy: how shared equity works in Queensland and NSW
A smaller mortgage can make a purchase look more achievable. With Help to Buy, the important part is understanding what you give in return: the government shares in the value of your home.
For buyers on the Gold Coast, in Brisbane and across NSW, that makes the exit plan just as important as the deposit.
What is Help to Buy?
The Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme is a shared-equity arrangement. Eligible buyers need at least a 2% deposit and a home loan from a participating lender. The government may contribute up to 30% towards an existing home or 40% towards a new home. The maximum is not an automatic entitlement. Official overview
You own the home, but the government has an equity interest in its value. This is not a cash gift or an ordinary personal loan to top up your deposit. There is no interest on the government contribution; instead, its dollar value changes with the property's value. How shared equity works
Income limits for 2026-27
The taxable-income ceiling is $103,000 for an individual, or $165,000 for joint applicants and single parents. For the financial year ending 30 June 2027, the relevant assessment is the ATO Notice of Assessment for FY2026. These thresholds are indexed annually. Current income thresholds
Other rules include Australian citizenship, a minimum age of 18 and occupying the property as your home. Existing property ownership can affect eligibility. Read the full criteria rather than deciding from income alone. Eligibility
Property caps check the postcode
Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast: $1 million.
Other Queensland areas: $700,000.
Sydney and specified NSW regional centres: $1.3 million.
Other NSW areas: $800,000.
These are not the same as every 5% Deposit Scheme cap. Confirm the specific address and your own approved purchase budget before making an offer. Help to Buy caps and postcode checker
A practical example
For a hypothetical $700,000 existing home, a 2% deposit is $14,000. If a full 30% contribution were approved, the government would provide $210,000, leaving a $476,000 mortgage before purchase costs.
That is an illustration, not an approval or a promise of the maximum contribution. The participating lender assesses your capacity and reasonable deposit contribution. Someone who can buy using their own savings and borrowing capacity is not eligible for Help to Buy. Financial-capacity assessment
Now suppose the government's share remains 30% and the relevant property value later reaches $900,000. That share would be worth $270,000, not the original $210,000. Actual buyback calculations depend on the scheme terms, valuation and any approved adjustments.
Think beyond settlement
You must continue meeting scheme obligations, including maintaining and insuring the home and participating in reviews. The government share can be repaid progressively, through additional borrowing where approved, or when the property is sold. Read the terms and obtain independent legal and financial advice before committing. Ongoing obligations and exit
Queensland Boost to Buy is a separate scheme
Queensland also offers Boost to Buy, its own shared-equity scheme. It has higher income limits than federal Help to Buy, but a smaller maximum government contribution and different eligibility rules. Being over the federal income cap does not automatically rule out the Queensland scheme.
The key differences for Queensland buyers
Income: Boost to Buy allows up to $155,000 for a single adult, or $232,000 for two adults or a single adult with dependants, based on the 2026 taxable-income year. Federal Help to Buy limits are $103,000 for an individual or $165,000 for joint applicants and single parents.
Property price: Boost to Buy has a $1 million cap throughout Queensland. Federal Help to Buy has a $1 million cap for Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, and $700,000 elsewhere in Queensland. Check the federal postcode tool for the specific property.
Equity contribution: Boost to Buy offers up to 25% for an existing home or 30% for a new home. The federal scheme offers up to 30% and 40% respectively. Both require at least a 2% deposit, plus capacity to meet the other purchase costs and lending requirements.
Availability matters on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane
Checked 14 November 2026: Queensland Treasury says South East Queensland round-two applications are no longer available because all appointments have been allocated. Unity Bank is currently taking appointments only for regional Queensland places. Gold Coast and Brisbane are in the South East Queensland allocation. Check the official page for future availability rather than assuming a place is open.
Current availability: Queensland Treasury scheme overview
Other conditions to check
Boost to Buy is for first home buyers and accepts eligible Australian citizens or permanent residents. It excludes off-the-plan purchases, vacant land and properties bought at auction. You cannot combine it with a federal home-buyer guarantee or shared-equity scheme. Its ongoing obligations and exit rules also differ, including a minimum two-year participation period. Federal Help to Buy can assist eligible returning homeowners as well as first-time buyers.
Read the full Queensland eligibility and exit rules and compare them with the federal terms before choosing a pathway.
How is it different from the 5% Deposit Scheme?
The 5% Deposit Scheme uses a government guarantee, not an equity contribution. Help to Buy reduces the mortgage needed by sharing equity. They solve different problems and are not interchangeable.
Contact CPHL to discuss the questions to work through and the relevant participating-lender pathway.
General information only, checked 14 November 2026. Eligibility, availability and lending criteria apply. This is not personal financial or legal advice. Recheck current rules before acting.
Comments