Buying a home with a partner is a memorable moment but what happens if only one of you qualifies for the First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Discount Scheme? Do not feel bad about this. Here is the guide that will help you seek the maximum benefits of this.
The First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Discount Scheme, also known as the First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme, is the government scheme that came into existence on 1st July, 2017 (NSW Government, 2025). Its main aim is to make the first homebuyer’s journey easy while purchasing their first home. It got its new name on 1st July, 2023, with amendments to its exemptions and concessions.
What does it offer?
The scheme offers varied benefits like exemptions and concessions for buying a new or existing home and for buying vacant land. The following is a detailed description of all of that.
Exemptions and Concessions for buying new or existing home
If you are buying an existing or a new home for $800,000, then you will get full exemption from transfer duty. Not only this, if you are buying a home for less than $1,000,000, you will get a concessional transfer duty rate, which is an amazing benefit for you (NSW Government, 2025).
Exemptions and Concessions for buying vacant land
Further, if you are purchasing vacant land valuing $350,000 or equal to it, then you will get a full exemption. However, if it is more than $350,000 but less than $450,000, then you will get the benefit of the concessional transfer duty rate (NSW Government, 2025).
How can I be eligible for this?
If you want to avail the benefits of this scheme, you need to meet the following requirements:
- The buying contract you are undertaking must take place on or after 1st July, 2023.
- You must be an individual.
- Your age must be 18 or more.
- You and your partner should be first-time co-owners of residential property in Australia.
- At least one of your partners must have citizenship in Australia (NSW Government, 2025).
- You and your partner should be the first-time recipients of the first-home owner grant in any Australian State/Territory (NSW Government, 2025).
- You and your partner must move into your new home within one year and live constantly for 6 months.
By fulfilling all these eligibility criteria only, you will gain the benefits of the scheme; otherwise, it might create concerns for you.
What if my partner is ineligible?
Meeting the eligibility criteria is essential to gain from the First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Discount Scheme. However, if you want to buy a home with your partner who is not eligible, then you might think it hard. But don’t worry, you still can seek benefit from it by following the below tips:
Benefit of 50% eligibility
If 50% of buyers are eligible, you can still apply for the First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Discount Scheme through shared equity. The ineligible partner is required to pay stamp duty for their share of the property.
For example, if they own 50% of the property, they’ll need to cover 50% of the transfer duty based on the home’s total value compared to the eligible one. On the other hand, if a first-home buyer holds 95% interest and a relative 5% or less, the full exemption applies under Section 71(7)(b) of the Duties Act 1997 (NSW Government, 2023).
No impact on eligibility
Eligible partners can still qualify for grants or assistance if they meet the scheme’s criteria, with no impact on their benefits (NSW Government, 2025).
Will I face any challenges then?
Buying a home with an ineligible partner might result in complexities, which you need to consider while applying for the grand under the First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Discount Scheme as described below:
Must be a first-time buyer
If any of your partners are not first-time buyers, then it will make the process of receiving grants complex under the scheme. For example, you will only receive a grant for the eligible partner and the others need to pay stamp duty.
Not be the spouse
If the ineligible spouse previously received a grant or owns a residential property in Australia, the first-time buyer will not qualify under the scheme (NSW Government, 2025).
Complex documentation
When applying with an ineligible part, you might struggle with complex documents as if your partner owned a home earlier. It will delay the process of receiving grants and require lots of evidence to prove first-time buying (NSW Government, 2025).
Move in within 12 months
Another complexity you might face is moving into a new home for at least 12 months with your partner, along with continuous living with your partner for 6 months. If you do not fulfil this criterion, you might not receive the benefit from it.
Restricted future benefits
With an ineligible partner, you might face issues while receiving other grants in other schemes of the government in the future. For instance, if you want to refinance or sell a home, it will affect the benefits of first-time home buyers.
What should I do next?
In the case where you are eligible and your partner is not and you want to benefit from the scheme, then the below steps will be helpful for you.
- Eligibility check: At first. You are required to check the eligibility of you and your partner under the scheme. If any of you are not eligible, then you can get help from the above guide on eligibility criteria and the key challenges that you might face.
- Consider shared equity arrangements: After that, you have to understand the considerations of shared equity arrangements such that your partner should not be your spouse or partner who has owned any residential property. You need to make sure that your partner should not have availed of the grant under this scheme earlier (NSW Government, 2025). However, if your partner is not qualified but you are, then your shareholding must be 50%.
- Work for required documents: You are then required to arrange all your required documents, like identity proofs of driving licences, passports, evidence of Australian citizenship, income statements, and property purchase agreement.
- Apply for the scheme: In this, you will apply for the scheme by filling out the application forms of the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme Application Form and Purchaser/Transferee Declaration Form on the Revenue NSW website.
- Application submission: Submit your application with application forms and required documents through a solicitor or conveyancer.
- Confirmation: After all the above steps, you will undergo confirmation from the government.
- Residential requirements: In the end, you have to make sure to accomplish the requirements of a resident such that you need to move into your new home within 12 months and live there for at least six months continuously (NSW Government, 2025).
Further, you can also consider professional advice, which will help you comply with all the requirements without any tension.
Where to consult from?
You can connect with us at Nfinity Financials. We have solved many such cases with satisfied clients.
Further, for mortgage or loan also, you can connect with us at 1300 GET LOAN (1300 438 562) or 0456 456 267. We will be happy to help you and be part of your journey of buying a new home.
