First Home Buyer Friendly Suburbs Oct 2025

From 1 October 2025, the Australian Government is making big changes to the Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS). The aim is to help more first home buyers get into the market sooner, with no place limits, no income caps, and higher property price caps.

Price Caps by Capital City

  • Sydney: $1.5 million

  • Melbourne: $950,000

  • Brisbane & Canberra: $1 million

  • Adelaide: $900,000

  • Perth: $850,000

  • Hobart: $700,000

  • Darwin: $600,000

Check Property Eligibility Instantly

Not sure if the property qualifies? Use our Property Eligibility Check

Simply enter the postcode and property price — we’ll auto-detect the state and instantly tell you if it falls within the new caps (effective 1 Oct 2025).

Sydney Suburbs (under $1.5m)

  • Marsfield ($1.425m)

  • Lakemba ($1.4m)

  • Roselands ($1.4m)

  • Riverwood ($1.3m)

  • Berala ($1.4m)

  • Auburn ($1.3m)

  • Bankstown ($1.4m)

  • Parramatta ($1.4m)

  • Condell Park ($1.3m)

  • Chester Hill ($1.2m)

  • Caringbah ($1.4m)

  • Revesby ($1.4m)

  • Padstow Heights ($1.4m)

Melbourne Suburbs (under $950k)

  • Footscray ($900k)

  • Maribyrnong ($910k)

  • Maidstone ($776,500)

  • Pascoe Vale ($798,000)

  • Altona North ($930k)

  • Reservoir ($810k)

  • Heidelberg West ($773,500)

  • Fawkner ($759,250)

  • Oak Park ($815k)

  • Hadfield ($828,000)

  • Airport West ($882,500)

  • Sunshine ($770k)

Brisbane Suburbs (under $1m)

  • Keperra ($970k)

  • Hemmant ($980k)

  • Arana Hills ($985k)

  • Oxley ($915k)

  • Ferny Hills ($992k)

  • Acacia Ridge ($809k)

  • Zillmere ($850k)

  • Boondall ($928k)

  • Durack ($830k)

  • Runcorn ($900k)

  • Richlands ($737,500)

Why It Matters

The 2025 changes are a game-changer for first home buyers. Here’s why:

  • No more missing out – Previously, the scheme had strict caps on places. Once they ran out, buyers had to wait another year. From October 2025, there are unlimited places – meaning if you’re eligible, you can apply anytime.

  • No more income limits – Under the old rules, higher earners often didn’t qualify, even though they still struggled with deposits and rising property prices. With income caps removed, professionals and dual-income households can now access the scheme.

  • Realistic property caps – Many buyers in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane couldn’t find homes under the old thresholds. The new caps reflect today’s market, making it possible to buy actual homes in major cities without being locked out.

  • Save tens of thousands on LMI – Avoiding Lenders Mortgage Insurance is one of the biggest savings. For example, on a $900,000 Sydney home with a 5% deposit, skipping LMI can save $30,000–$40,000 upfront.

  • Faster path to ownership – Instead of waiting years to save a 20% deposit, buyers can now enter the market sooner, build equity, and stop paying rent.

  • Regional buyers included – With the Regional Guarantee merged into the main scheme, access is simpler, and buyers outside capital cities aren’t left behind.

Next
Next

‘Unprecedented Demand’ as First Home Buyer Scheme Launches