First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Victoria 2026: What’s in the Budget

If you are buying your first home in Victoria this year, you have probably been refreshing the Budget pages looking for changes to stamp duty and the First Home Owner Grant. The 2026-27 Victorian Budget, handed down on 5 May 2026, kept things straightforward: existing first home buyer settings continue. Below is what the Budget Papers said, what they did not say, and where to confirm your eligibility.

What the 2026-27 Budget said about first home buyers

The Budget Overview lists the existing supports the government is continuing to fund. On page 16, it states the government is delivering “$10,000 First Home Owner Grants” and “stamp duty exemptions and reductions for eligible first home buyers”. That is the verbatim wording. The Budget did not announce new first home buyer measures, and it did not change the dollar value of the grant or the price thresholds attached to the existing concessions. (Source: Budget Overview p.16.)

The $10,000 First Home Owner Grant: continues

The $10,000 First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) remains in place in 2026-27, confirmed in the Budget Overview on page 16 alongside the stamp duty concessions. The Budget Papers do not republish the full eligibility rules: who qualifies, what counts as a new home, the contract price cap and the residency requirement are all administered by the State Revenue Office. Existing eligibility rules continue (full eligibility details published by the State Revenue Office at sro.vic.gov.au). If you are buying or building a brand new home, this is the grant to check first.

Stamp duty exemptions and reductions for properties up to $750,000: continue

The first home buyer stamp duty concession continues in 2026-27. The Budget Papers confirm the concession applies to properties up to $750,000 (BP5 Table 5.2, p.196). Existing eligibility rules continue (full eligibility details published by the State Revenue Office), including the structure of a full exemption at the lower end and a sliding concession up to the $750,000 cap. The Budget did not adjust those thresholds. For a current breakdown of exact rates, refer to sro.vic.gov.au.

How the off-the-plan concession stacks with first home buyer rules

The Budget extended the temporary off-the-plan stamp duty concession by six months, now applying to contracts signed before 21 April 2027 (BP3 p.100). Important point: this is not a first-home-buyer-only concession. It is open to owner-occupiers and investors buying eligible apartments, units and townhouses off-the-plan. First home buyers can still consider it where it gives a better outcome. See our off-the-plan stamp duty concession Victoria 2026 article for detail.

What the Budget did not change

The Budget did not change the FHOG amount. It did not change the $750,000 first home buyer concession threshold. It did not introduce new first home buyer programs, did not announce a shared equity expansion, and did not adjust principal place of residence rules. It also did not introduce new stamp duty, land tax, foreign purchaser or absentee owner measures (BP5 Ch.4). For first home buyers, that means the rules you researched before Budget night are the rules that apply on settlement day.

The numbers: forgone revenue from first home buyer concessions

BP5 Table 5.2 (p.196) forecasts forgone revenue from the first home buyer stamp duty concession (properties up to $750,000) at $740 million in 2026-27. That is the dollar value of stamp duty the state is choosing not to collect from eligible first home buyers next financial year. It is one of the largest single concessions on the table, sitting alongside transfers of deceased estates ($243m) and the off-the-plan concession for owner-occupiers ($98m).

Where to confirm your eligibility

The Budget Papers confirm the policy direction. Eligibility for the FHOG and the first home buyer stamp duty concession is administered by the State Revenue Office at sro.vic.gov.au. Before you sign, check the SRO eligibility tool for your property: contract price, property type, intended residency, and prior ownership history all matter. If you would like a conveyancer to walk through the rules for a specific property, our house conveyancing team is here to help.

Frequently asked questions

Did the Victorian Budget 2026-27 change first home buyer stamp duty? No. The Budget Overview (p.16) confirms continuation of “stamp duty exemptions and reductions for eligible first home buyers”. The Budget did not change thresholds or eligibility.

Is the First Home Owner Grant still $10,000 in Victoria? Yes. The Budget Overview (p.16) lists “$10,000 First Home Owner Grants” among the supports being delivered in 2026-27.

Up to what price do first home buyers get a stamp duty exemption in Victoria? The first home buyer stamp duty concession applies to properties up to $750,000 (BP5 Table 5.2, p.196). Existing eligibility rules continue (full eligibility details published by the State Revenue Office).

Can first home buyers also use the off-the-plan concession? The off-the-plan concession is available to owner-occupiers and investors for contracts signed before 21 April 2027 (BP3 p.100). It is not restricted to first home buyers, and first home buyers may consider it where it produces a better outcome.

Where do I check if I am eligible for the FHOG? The State Revenue Office at sro.vic.gov.au administers eligibility and publishes the current criteria for both the FHOG and the first home buyer stamp duty concession.

Buying your first home in Victoria?

The rules have not changed, which is genuinely good news: you can plan your purchase with confidence. Before you sign, get the contract reviewed by a conveyancer who knows what to look for. Get an instant quote or contact us for a chat about your purchase. Your Journey, Our Expertise.

For the bigger picture across all property measures in this Budget, see our Victorian Budget 2026-27 property guide and our deep-dive on stamp duty Victoria 2026.

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This article summarises the Victorian Budget 2026-27 as published on 5 May 2026. It is general information, not legal advice. For matters specific to your transaction, contact Tick Box Conveyancing.