Unlocking First Home Buyer Support in Northern Territory (NT)

If you're a first home buyer in the Northern Territory, there’s a wide range of support on offer to help reduce upfront costs or get into the market sooner. But just because a grant or scheme is available doesn’t mean it’s the right long-term move.

In this guide, we’ll break down what’s currently available as of October 2025, how it works, and where strategy really matters. That includes:

• Stamp duty exemptions for house-and-land packages

• The $50,000 and $10,000 HomeGrown Territory Grants

• The First Home Guarantee Scheme

• HomeBuild Access: low-deposit and subsidised interest loans

This resource supports Episode 17 of the First Home Unlocked Podcast, where Jack walks through each scheme and how it fits into your overall strategy.

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Stamp Duty Concessions for First Home Buyers in NT

Stamp duty is a once-off tax that can easily add tens of thousands to your upfront costs. But if you’re buying a house-and-land package, the NT Government offers one of the most generous stamp duty exemptions in the country.

That’s why the NT Government offers the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE). If you buy a house-and-land package from a builder in a single contract, you could qualify for a full stamp duty exemption regardless of the property value.

Eligibility Rules

• Contract must combine land and build in one transaction

• Property must be new or partially built and completed under the same contract

• Land must be purchased by the builder from a developer (stamp duty already paid)

• Applies to contracts signed between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2027

• You must move in within 12 months and live there for at least 6 months

Key Features

• Full exemption, not just a discount

• No price caps

• Only available for house-and-land packages, not established homes

• You can apply via your conveyancer or directly with the NT Revenue Office

Strategy Insight

This is one of the most generous stamp duty savings available in Australia. But remember it only applies to new homes.

So before rushing in, ask:

• Does the location align with your long-term lifestyle and career plans?

• Is the area likely to grow in value?

• Is there strong demand or are you building in a high-supply developer area?

Even if you have to pay some stamp duty, a better-located established property might build stronger equity over time.

You can find all the details and eligibility information on the House & Land Package Exemption (HLPE) here

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NT HomeGrown Territory Grant

Let’s move on to one of the biggest supports available for first home buyers in the Northern Territory, the HomeGrown Territory Grant. Whether you’re buying or building, this grant can give your deposit a major boost and help you get into your first home sooner.

What Is It?

The HomeGrown Territory Grant is a tax-free payment from the NT Government to support eligible first home buyers purchasing either a new or established home. This is the grant that is available:

• $50,000 for brand new homes

This grant is designed to make buying your first home more achievable when you’re purchasing a newly built property.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be a first home buyer

• Sign your contract between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2026

• Be buying or building a brand new home that has never been lived in

• Have at least one applicant who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident

• Move in and live in the home for 12 continuous months

• There’s no purchase price cap

Payment details:

• The grant is paid after settlement (for purchases) or after slab stage (for builds)

Extra Info to Keep in Mind

• You can only receive one grant per property, not per person.

• The grant can be used alongside other incentives like the First Home Guarantee Scheme (5% deposit with no LMI).

Strategy Tip

A $50,000 boost sounds huge and it is. But before making a decision, always zoom out and think long term.

Ask yourself:

• Does this location have strong future demand?

• Am I buying long-term liveability and value, or chasing short-term savings?

• Would an established home with better fundamentals perform better over time?

Remember: the right asset creates equity not just a grant.

If you’re unsure how to assess that, check out Episode 6: Unlocking Asset Quality. It’ll help you think through location, land value, and growth potential not just what’s on offer today.

You can find all official information and apply through the Territory Revenue Office.

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First Home Guarantee (FHGS)

The First Home Guarantee Scheme (FHGS) is one of the most powerful supports available to help first home buyers purchase with a smaller deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), all while keeping full ownership of your home.

This is a federal government scheme run by Housing Australia. It allows you to buy with as little as a 5% deposit, and the government acts as guarantor for the remaining 15% of the 20% typically required by lenders.

That means:

• You don’t pay LMI (which can often cost tens of thousands of dollars)

• You still access competitive interest rates

• You keep 100% of the equity and future growth

We break this down in full in Episode 10 of the podcast, including how the scheme works, the pros and cons, and how to eventually remove the guarantee once your equity grows. It’s a must-listen if you’re considering using this option.

NT Price Caps (2025–26)

To use the FHGS, the property you purchase must be below the price cap for your area.
In the Northern Territory, the current cap is:

• Entire NT – $600,000

This limit applies to both new and existing homes.

Strategy Tip

This scheme is one of the most effective ways to get into the market sooner, particularly as home prices and living costs rise.

With the First Home Guarantee, you can:

• Avoid LMI, saving tens of thousands of dollars

• Buy with just a 5 % deposit instead of 20 %

• Retain 100 % ownership and future equity

And with income caps that have been scrapped on October 1st, it’s becoming even more accessible.

But as always, don’t let speed override strategy. Make sure the home fits your long-term goals, offers good asset quality, and aligns with your lifestyle and financial plans.

If you’re not sure whether this scheme suits your situation, we can help you map out your options and see what’s possible.

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HomeBuild Access: Shared Equity Scheme (NT)

The HomeBuild Access program is a Northern Territory Government initiative designed to make buying or building a new home more achievable.

It offers low-deposit home loans and shared-equity support, managed in partnership with People’s Choice Credit Union.

Loans are available for new builds or brand-new homes, helping first home buyers and eligible residents reduce upfront costs and enter the market sooner.

What Is It?

HomeBuild Access allows eligible buyers to purchase a home with as little as a 2% deposit, with the government contributing an equity share towards the property. You live in the home as your principal place of residence, and over time, you can buy back the government’s share as your financial position improves.

The program aims to make home ownership more achievable, especially for those on moderate incomes who can afford repayments but are struggling to save a full deposit.

Key Features & Eligibility

To qualify for a HomeBuild Access loan, you and your spouse or partner must:

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or applying jointly with one who is)

• Be buying or building a new property (not an established home)

• Not exceed the set price limits for your chosen loan product

• Have the minimum required deposit for the loan type you’re applying for

• If building, engage a Northern Territory–licensed builder under a single fixed-price building contract

• Live in the property as your principal place of residence for at least 3 years after purchase or construction

Property Price Limits

• 1–2 bedroom homes: up to $475,000

• 3+ bedroom homes: up to $550,000

  Includes both land and full construction cost if building.)

Low Deposit Loan

The Low Deposit Loan helps you buy or build a new home with as little as a 2.5% deposit, supported by a Northern Territory Government contribution of up to 17.5% of the purchase price through a shared-equity arrangement.

Key Features

• Only 2.5% deposit required

• NT Government provides up to 17.5% of the property’s value as a shared-equity loan

• No lenders mortgage insurance (LMI)

• No monthly service fees or application fee

• Up to 30-year loan term

• Available for new homes only

• No income or asset limits apply

Additional Eligibility

• Must have been in current employment for at least 12 months

• Must demonstrate a satisfactory rental or loan repayment history for 12 months or more

Subsidised Interest Rate Loan

This loan supports low- to middle-income earners by reducing interest costs for the first five years, helping make repayments more manageable while you get established.

Key Features

• 2% deposit required

• Government-subsidised variable interest rate for the first 5 years

• Up to 35-year loan term

• No application or monthly service fees

• No LMI required

• Access to a $10,000 interest-free Fee Assistance Loan to help cover upfront costs such as:

  • Conveyancing fees

  • Whitegoods or furniture

  • Stamp duty and other establishment costs
    (Repayable over a maximum of 15 years)

Additional Eligibility

• Must be a first home buyer in Australia

• Must provide evidence that you cannot access finance through another lender

• Must meet employment, income, and asset limits.

You can find the link to all the limits here.

Strategy Insight

Shared equity schemes like HomeBuild Access can be a stepping stone into the market, but they’re not right for everyone.

While the reduced deposit and repayments can help you buy sooner, remember:

• You’re giving up a portion of your home’s ownership and future growth

• Your ability to refinance, renovate, or sell can be restricted until you’ve bought out the government’s share

• If the property increases in value, you’ll need to pay more to buy back the equity stake later

So, while it can be a great option for those who would otherwise be locked out of the market, it’s worth exploring alternatives that keep full ownership if possible, such as the First Home Guarantee Scheme.

As we discuss in Episode 11: Unlocking Shared Equity Schemes, the key is to understand the trade-offs and long-term implications before committing.

If you’re considering using HomeBuild Access, chat with us first. We’ll help you map out your full range of options, including whether other pathways like the First Home Guarantee could achieve the same goal with more flexibility and ownership.

Sometimes all it takes is a small shift in strategy to unlock a better path forward.

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Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Chase the Incentives

Government grants and schemes in the Northern Territory, like the HomeGrown Territory Grants, First Home Guarantee, and HomeBuild Access, can make getting into your first home feel more achievable.

But these supports are only part of the picture. They help reduce upfront costs, not guarantee long-term success.

The best outcomes come from having a clear strategy, choosing a quality asset, and structuring your plan around your life goals, not just what’s available today.

That’s where we come in.

We’ll help you:

• Compare all your options — including federal, state, and lender-specific support

• Find the right loan structure and timing for your situation

• Make sure you’re using what the NT offers without sacrificing long-term value or flexibility

Listen to Episode 17 for the full breakdown or Book a Get to Know You Chat to map out your plan with clarity and confidence.

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