Perth property has moved quickly, and first home buyers who get organised early are the ones who move quickest when the right place comes up. The good news is that there's more help available to WA first home buyers than ever. The trick is knowing which options you qualify for and how they work together.
As mortgage brokers in Wangara, we help first home buyers across Perth and WA. We compare loans from more than 90 lenders, work out which grants and concessions you can use, and guide you from your first conversation to the day you get the keys.
Grants and concessions for WA first home buyers
Here's what's available as at October 2026. You may be able to use more than one.
First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
A one-off $10,000 grant from the WA Government when you build a new home or buy one that's never been lived in. For homes in Perth and the rest of WA south of the 26th parallel, the home must be valued at $800,000 or less. Higher caps apply further north. The FHOG doesn't apply to established homes.
Stamp duty (transfer duty) concessions
From the 2026–27 State Budget, eligible first home buyers pay:
- No stamp duty on a home valued up to $600,000, and a reduced rate up to $800,000
- No stamp duty on vacant land valued up to $450,000, and a reduced rate up to $550,000
These thresholds apply to purchases from 7 May 2026, and the concession no longer depends on the FHOG value cap. On a typical first home, that can mean tens of thousands of dollars saved.
Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme
The scheme lets eligible first home buyers buy with a deposit of as little as 5% without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), because the government guarantees part of the loan. Income caps and place limits were removed in October 2025, and the price cap in Perth is $850,000. We can lodge your application through participating lenders on our panel.
Keystart
Keystart is the WA Government-backed lender. It offers home loans with deposits from 2% and no LMI, within income and property price limits. It's a popular option for buyers with a small deposit. Find out how Keystart works.
Family guarantee
If a parent or family member can offer equity in their own property as extra security, you may be able to borrow with little or no deposit and avoid LMI. We'll explain how it works and what it means for your guarantor.
How much deposit do you need?
Usually somewhere between 2% and 20% of the purchase price, depending on the loan and the schemes you use. With a deposit under 20%, most lenders charge LMI unless you're using the 5% Deposit Scheme, Keystart or a family guarantee. You'll also need to budget for costs like settlement fees, building and pest inspections and any stamp duty that applies.
Your path to your first home
- Have a chat with us. We look at your income, savings and goals, and work out what you can comfortably borrow.
- Get pre-approved. Pre-approval tells you your budget and shows agents you're a serious buyer.
- Find your home. Make offers knowing your numbers. We can check a property with the lender before you commit.
- Formal approval. Once your offer is accepted, we take the loan through to unconditional approval.
- Settlement. We work with your settlement agent and lender so everything is ready on the day.
How we help first home buyers
- Work out your borrowing power and a budget you're comfortable with
- Check which grants, concessions and schemes you're eligible for
- Compare loans from more than 90 lenders, including Keystart
- Explain each step in plain terms, with no jargon
- Handle the paperwork and keep you updated through to settlement
You can also download our first home buyer guide or use our borrowing power and stamp duty calculators.