Gold Coast 5% deposit scheme October 2025 is the big change owners are hearing about this week. From 1 October 2025, first-home buyers can purchase with a 5% deposit and no LMI, backed by a federal guarantee. The update also removes income caps, removes place limits, and lifts price caps; here on the Coast (classed as a QLD “capital city/regional centre”), the price cap moves to $1,000,000. Housing Australia

5% deposit scheme – What changed (plain English)

From 1 October, the guarantee will be open to any eligible first-home buyer who has saved a 5% deposit. There will be unlimited places, no income caps, and higher price caps nationally to reflect market conditions. For QLD, the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sunshine Coast sit at $1,000,000, while other QLD areas sit at $700,000. (Regional-area rules are being simplified under the core First Home Guarantee.) Housing Australia

Why this matters for Gold Coast sellers

When more first-home buyers can qualify—and caps lift to match local prices—entry and lower-mid price bands typically see stronger open-home turnout, tighter days on market, and firmer pricing for well-presented homes. Pair that with today’s lean listing environment and it’s a constructive mix for sellers who prepare well and price to the evidence, not hype. (We’ll reflect this in your Wednesday SMS/email lines.)

Quick eligibility snapshot (for buyers you’ll meet at opens)

  • Owner-occupier purchases only (not investors); 5% minimum deposit for the First Home Guarantee.
  • Property types can be new or established, including house-and-land, off-the-plan, or vacant land + build (the combined land + build price must sit under the cap).
  • The government guarantee protects the lender, not the buyer, and normal bank serviceability checks still apply. Housing Australia

QLD “stackers”: grant + duty relief (useful context)

  • First Home Owner Grant (FHOG): $30,000 toward new homes (including build) valued under $750,000, available until 30 June 2026; then it reverts to $15,000. Queensland Government
  • Stamp duty (transfer duty):
    • New homes or vacant land for eligible first-home buyers: full concession to $0 duty for contracts from 1 May 2025—no value cap. Queensland Government
    • Established first homes: $0 duty up to $700,000, with a tapered concession to $800,000. Queensland Government

What this means for you (seller checklist)

  • Presentation > discounting: Neat, “show-ready” homes with crisp photos and copy outperform, especially when buyer pools expand.
  • Price to the evidence: Anchor to the last 4–6 relevant sales; tighten weekly based on inspection feedback.
  • Market to the outcome: Short, sharp campaigns with a clear “why to act now” (e.g., earlier FHB access) help surface best-in-market buyers.
  • Time the window: If you’re aiming spring/summer, earlier trade-ups and downsizers also benefit from fresher buyer depth in the sub-$1m brackets.

If you’re selling this spring/summer: 5 fast wins

  1. Fix the first 10 metres: path, letterbox, entry lighting, front garden edge.
  2. Style lightly: modern lamps, fresh linen, greenery, hide bulky furniture.
  3. Make it “inspection-easy”: handles, hinges, grout, and simple paint touch-ups.
  4. Tight media pack: hero images, 20–30-sec social cut-down, and a 45-sec owner brief (watch below).
  5. Review weekly: adjust pricing/marketing based on on-site feedback and enquiry data


    Appraisal page — https://conradhyslop.com/appraisal/
  6. Supply drop pillar — https://conradhyslop.com/gold-coast-property-market-2025-supply-drop/
  7. Seller Hub — https://conradhyslop.com/sell-gold-coast-property/
  8. New Apartments – Gold Coast — https://conradhyslop.com/new-apartments-gold-coast/
  9. Gold Coast property deals — https://conradhyslop.com/goldcoast-property-deals/
  10. What is a Property Appraisal? — https://conradhyslop.com/what-is-a-property-appraisal/
  11. External links (official sources)
  12. Housing Australia – Home Guarantee Scheme overview (what changes from 1 Oct 2025) — https://www.housingaustralia.gov.au/home-guarantee-scheme Housing Australia
  13. Housing Australia media statement (unlimited places, no income caps, higher price caps; QLD GC/Brisbane/Sunshine Coast = $1,000,000) — https://www.housingaustralia.gov.au/media/unlimited-places-higher-property-price-caps-first-home-buyers-1-october-2025 Housing Australia
  14. QLD Government – Transfer duty concessions (includes $0 duty for eligible FHBs on new homes or vacant land from 1 May 2025) — https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/home-buyers-financial-help/transfer-duty Queensland Government
  15. QRO – First home (new home) concession (details) — https://qro.qld.gov.au/duties/transfer-duty/concessions/homes/first-home-new-home/ QRO
  16. QRO – First home vacant land concession (details) — https://qro.qld.gov.au/duties/transfer-duty/concessions/homes/first-home-vacant-land/ QRO
  17. QLD Government – First Home Owner Grant (overview, $30,000 to 30 June 2026, < $750k new homes) — https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/home-buyers-financial-help/first-home-owner-grant Queensland Government
  18. QRO – FHOG info hub (apply/eligibility) — https://qro.qld.gov.au/property-concessions-grants/first-home-grant/ QRO
Conrad Hyslop
Conrad Hyslop