Higher income thresholds and more places take effect as shared-equity scheme reaches full national coverage
Help to Buy will support more Australians into home ownership from today, with Housing Australia confirming 10,000 new places for the 2026-27 financial year and higher income eligibility thresholds across every state and territory.
Taxable income limits have risen to $103,000 for single applicants and $165,000 for joint and single-parent applicants, Housing Australia announced today. Previous income limits were $100,000 and $160,000.
The Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme, administered by Housing Australia, has been open to applicants since 5 December 2025.
It allows eligible buyers to purchase with a deposit as low as 2%, with the Commonwealth contributing up to 40% of the purchase price for new homes and up to 30% for existing homes, subject to eligibility.
Applications currently run through only two participating lenders, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Bank Australia, though Housing Australia has flagged plans to expand the lender panel through 2026.
Demand strongest in Victoria
Since launch, the scheme has received more than 7,200 applications, with 4,800 of those buyers having already settled or found a home, according to Housing Australia. Victoria has recorded the strongest uptake, ahead of New South Wales and Queensland.
The scheme's expansion into Tasmania in June 2026 completed its national rollout, meaning Help to Buy is now available in every state and territory.
Almost seven in 10 applications have come from single applicants, including 12% from single parents. The median deposit among participants is $30,000, and 86% of applicants are first home buyers. 42% of women supported through Help to Buy are aged 40 or above.
A pathway through separation
Housing Australia highlighted the case of Sandra, a mother of two who used the scheme to buy out her former partner's share of the family home after separation, drawing on a 30% government contribution to refinance and take full ownership.
"Having a home means security for my children – a place we can stay for as long as we want, in the community I want them to grow up in," Sandra said.
Alia Ayoub, executive leader for Help to Buy at Housing Australia, said the early uptake reflected the scale of demand. "We're particularly encouraged by the number of single applicants and single parents participating, as well as the growing number of older women accessing home ownership and long-term security through Help to Buy – groups who have traditionally faced significant barriers in the housing market," Ayoub said.
Housing Australia chief executive Scott Langford said the July changes would extend that reach further. "The changes from 1 July ensures we can continue to support more Australians into home ownership, and we look forward to working with Participating Lenders to provide housing stability for individuals, families and communities; now, and into the future," Langford said.
