Brisbane Property New Policy Revealed: An Opportunity Not to Be Missed by Overseas Buyers!

As the Australian government continues to roll out a series of incentives for first-time homebuyers, opportunities for Hong Kong buyers in Brisbane are becoming increasingly attractive. As market professionals, we aim to help you fully understand these policies and how to make smarter investment decisions in the current market. This article will detail the latest policy developments and their impact on Hong Kong buyers.

首次購屋者的主要政策

First Home Guarantee This policy aims to help first-time homebuyers enter the market with a lower deposit. The government guarantees up to 15% of the home price, which means eligible buyers only need to pay a minimum of 5% deposit and avoid costly Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). For example, when purchasing a new home worth AU$700,000 in Brisbane, buyers can reduce their deposit from 20% (AU$140,000) to 5% (AU$35,000), significantly easing financial pressure.

However, it's important to note that this scheme is only available to Australian citizens or permanent residents, which limits participation for Hong Kong buyers.

Help to Buy Alternatively, the Help to Buy scheme offers another option for first-time homebuyers. This government shared equity program allows the government to contribute up to 40% (for new homes) or 30% (for existing homes) towards the purchase price, meaning buyers only need to pay a minimum 2% deposit without paying rent on the government’s share.

This policy greatly reduces the loan amount and monthly repayments, making it ideal for those with limited funds. However, like the First Home Guarantee, this scheme is also limited to Australian citizens.

First Home Owner Grant The Queensland government has introduced a grant program for first-time homebuyers, providing eligible applicants with a one-time grant of up to AU$30,000 (for contracts signed between November 20, 2023, and June 30, 2025). This grant can be used to purchase or build a new home, significantly easing financial burdens for first-time buyers.

Note that at least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident to qualify, excluding Hong Kong buyers without Australian citizenship.

Stamp Duty Exemption Starting from May 1, 2025, first-time homebuyers in Queensland will enjoy a 100% stamp duty exemption when purchasing new homes or building on land. This means eligible buyers can avoid stamp duty irrespective of the home price, which is crucial for reducing buying costs.

Although foreign buyers may receive some basic stamp duty exemptions, they are still subject to an 8% Foreign Acquirer Duty (AFAD). For instance, if a Hong Kong buyer purchases a new home worth AU$800,000, they may still incur about AU$64,000 in AFAD, significantly increasing overall costs.

Buying Recommendations For overseas buyers, understanding these policies and their limitations is crucial. While not all buyers may benefit from local resident incentives, purchasing a new home can still qualify for Queensland’s stamp duty exemptions, significantly lowering upfront costs.

Additionally, with the government relaxing some rental regulations, first-time buyers can rent out part of their homes while living there, helping to generate extra income to offset additional taxes for overseas buyers.

When planning to invest in Brisbane, it’s advisable for buyers to budget for relevant costs and follow Australia’s foreign investment approval process. Specifically, foreign buyers must apply for approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), which incurs application fees. If you wish to obtain Australian citizenship in the future, it is recommended to wait until then before applying for housing incentives. For more information, feel free to register for our Smart Investment Seminar on June 14, 2025.

Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: 21st Floor, 64 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong