12/10/2025
😕😕Two major misunderstanding that many prospective home buyers have had since 1 October 2025.
From that date, the Federal Government’s 5 % Deposit / Home Guarantee Scheme was expanded — not introduced a new scheme. The scheme originally started in 2020, but the current Government has relaxed a number of its restrictions so that more first home buyers can benefit
🔍 Common Misunderstanding #1: “I only need to save 5 % and that’s it”
Because the media and many commentators promote the scheme by highlighting “5 % deposit, no LMI,” many first home buyers believe that the only thing they need is 5 % of the purchase price in savings. That is incorrect, and it is perhaps the biggest misconception arising post-October 2025.
Even if you secure a 5 % deposit under the scheme, there are other costs you must cover — and particularly stamp duty, which is governed by separate state laws with different thresholds.
Example (Sydney / NSW):
• Suppose you want to buy a property for $1,000,000.
• Under the 5 % Deposit scheme, your required deposit would be $50,000 (5%).
• However, in NSW the stamp duty exemption or concession threshold for first homeowners typically only applies up to a certain price (e.g. $800,000 for established properties). Anything above that will require full stamp duty.
• For a $1,000,000 property, you might therefore owe around $40,000 in stamp duty in NSW (for the portion above the concession threshold).
• So your total upfront savings requirement is not $50,000 — but roughly $90,000 (deposit + stamp duty + other purchase costs).
This is why many buyers are surprised when they realize that 5 % alone is insufficient.
City-by-city illustrative comparison
Here is a simplified table showing new property price caps for the 5 % deposit scheme vs stamp duty thresholds in selected cities (for “established properties”):
City 5 % Deposit / No LMI Property Price Cap (post-Oct 2025) Stamp Duty Threshold for Established Properties*
Sydney (NSW) $1,500,000 $800,000 (for full exemption/concession)
Melbourne (VIC) $950,000 $600,000 (for full exemption/concession)
Brisbane (QLD) $1,000,000 $700,000 (threshold for stamp duty concessions)
* These stamp duty thresholds are state-based and vary by state and by whether the home is new or established.
Important: The expansion of the 5 % Deposit / No LMI scheme does not change or override the existing stamp duty laws. They remain wholly separate legal regimes under state/territory control.
🔍 Common Misunderstanding #2: “No income requirement means I just need the 5 % and I can borrow the rest”
The idea that because income caps are removed you can now buy a $1 million property with just $50,000 in savings (regardless of your income) is also misleading.
Though the 5 % Deposit Scheme from 1 October 2025 removes income caps as an eligibility barrier, you still must satisfy the lender’s serviceability / creditworthiness tests. That means:
• Lenders will assess whether you can repay the remaining 95 % loan from your income, expenses, existing debt obligations, credit history, etc.
• If your income is insufficient to comfortably service the mortgage on a $950,000 loan, then even with $50,000 deposit you may not qualify.
• Having the 5 % deposit is a necessary condition, but it is not sufficient on its own.
👉👉👉What You Should Do Next:
• Book Your Free Strategy Session by calling 0419 509 809 👈
• Send us the documents requested after the strategy session
• Explore property markets early savvy timing and readiness can secure better outcomes in competitive areas.
Let’s turn this opportunity into your reality by connecting with us.
Waiting 3–6 months could cost you thousands in rising property prices and missed opportunities.
📞 Don’t wait — act today. Get in touch to see how quickly we can get your home loan approved and get you into your new home
, , , , , , , , , , ,
, , , ,
, ,
, ,
, ,