Negative gearing in 2026: new builds keep the tax benefits
From 1 July 2027 negative gearing is limited to new builds. Off-the-plan and house and land investors keep it, plus the choice of the 50% capital gains discount.
Read the guide
Buyer guides
The grants and tax benefits of buying new in 2026
Australian governments are steering buyers towards new homes, and 2026 widened the gap. Investors buying from here on keep negative gearing only on new builds; first home buyers get grants and stamp duty savings that established homes don't.
State by state
First home grants and stamp duty
Every state's first home owner grant is for new homes only, including homes bought off the plan and house and land packages.
Queensland
$30,000 grant
No stamp duty on new
No stamp duty on new
Read the guide
South Australia
Up to $15,000 grant
No stamp duty on new
No stamp duty on new
Read the guide
New South Wales
$10,000 grant
No duty to $800,000
No duty to $800,000
Read the guide
Victoria
$10,000 grant
Off-the-plan duty saving
Off-the-plan duty saving
Read the guide
Tasmania
Up to $20,000 grant
For new homes
For new homes
Read the guide
Guides
What buying new means for you
Plain-English guides to the rules that favour new and off-the-plan property, each checked against the official source.
5% deposit and Help to Buy
Buy with 5% down and no lenders mortgage insurance, or have the government put in up to 40% of the price of a new home.
Read the guideThe off-the-plan stamp duty concession
Construction costs come off before duty is calculated on off-the-plan apartments and townhouses, for investors too, until 21 April 2027.
Read the guideNew and off the plan is the way in
Established homes are closed to foreign buyers until 2029. New and off-the-plan homes remain open with FIRB approval.
Read the guideCommon questions
What are the benefits of buying a new home instead of an established one in 2026?
Investors buying now keep negative gearing and the choice of the 50% capital gains discount only on new builds. First home buyers can access first home owner grants (new homes only in every state we cover), full stamp duty exemptions on new homes in Queensland and South Australia, and Help to Buy contributions of up to 40% on new homes.
Which states have no stamp duty for first home buyers on new homes?
Queensland and South Australia remove stamp duty entirely for eligible first home buyers of new homes, with no price cap. NSW exempts first home buyers up to $800,000 and Victoria up to $600,000.
General information, current at the date above. Grants, concessions and tax rules have eligibility conditions this page summarises; it isn't personal tax, legal or financial advice. Confirm your eligibility with the relevant government agency, your lender or your accountant before you rely on it.
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