Housing Grants in South Australia: What You Need to Know in 2025

If you're planning to buy or build a home in South Australia, you may be eligible for a range of government grants and support schemes. These housing grants are designed to help first home buyers, low-to-middle income earners, and those looking to build new homes access the property market more affordably. Here’s an overview of the key grants available in South Australia in 2025.

1. First Home Owner Grant (FHOG SA)

The First Home Owner Grant is a one-off payment of $15,000 available to eligible first home buyers who build or buy a new residential property in South Australia.

Eligibility criteria include:

• You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• You must not have owned a residential property in Australia before.
• The property must be new (not previously lived in).
• The total value of the home (including land) must not exceed $650,000.

The grant is paid during the construction process or at settlement, depending on whether you’re building or buying.

2. HomeStart Finance and Low Deposit Loans

While not a grant in the traditional sense, HomeStart Finance is a South Australian government-backed lender offering low-deposit loans (as low as 2%) and products for people who may not qualify with traditional banks.

Benefits include:

• Borrow with a low deposit.
• Use rent payments as proof of savings.
• Access shared equity loans (HomeStart Starter Loan).

These options help low-to-moderate income earners enter the market sooner, especially when combined with other grants.

3. Stamp Duty Relief for First Home Buyers (2024–25 Initiative)

As of July 2024, the South Australian Government is offering full stamp duty relief for eligible first home buyers purchasing a new home or vacant land to build on.

Key points:

• Applies to new builds and off-the-plan purchases.
• Land price cap: $400,000 (full relief); $450,000 (tapered).
• House and land packages: up to $650,000 eligible for full exemption.

This can save buyers thousands of dollars upfront and is designed to encourage new builds to stimulate the construction industry.

4. Federal Government’s First Home Guarantee Scheme

Though not exclusive to South Australia, the First Home Guarantee Scheme (through Housing Australia) supports first home buyers with a deposit as low as 5% without needing to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Conditions include:

• Annual income caps ($125,000 for singles, $200,000 for couples).
• Property price caps vary by region (around $600,000 in metro Adelaide).
• Limited places available, so apply early through participating lenders.

Conclusion

With these grants and schemes, South Australians—especially first home buyers—have a strong opportunity to step into the property market in 2025. Whether you’re buying land to build, purchasing a new home, or combining government support with low-deposit loans, there’s help available.

At SA Home Buyer, we can guide you through your options, connect you with trusted builders and finance partners, and help you make the most of every available benefit.

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