ACT abolishes stamp duty for first home buyers: what changed
From 1 July 2026, eligible ACT first home buyers pay no stamp duty at any price, with no income test. Who qualifies and how much you save.
Home loan guides
Plain-English explanations of repayments, borrowing, stamp duty and buying your first home in Australia.
First home buyer stamp duty exemptions by state (2026-27)
No duty up to $800,000 in NSW and $600,000 in VIC and WA, and no cap in the ACT. Every state's first home buyer stamp duty rules for 2026-27.
Does HECS affect how much I can borrow?
A HECS-HELP debt cuts borrowing power by about $45,000 on a $100,000 salary. See the 2026-27 repayment rates and how lenders treat HELP.
What is the APRA serviceability buffer?
Banks test your loan at your rate plus 3%. See how the APRA buffer cuts borrowing power, with real figures, plus the 6x debt-to-income limit.
How much will my mortgage go up when rates rise?
Each 0.25% rate rise adds about $99 a month to a $600,000 loan. See what the 2026 RBA rises cost at every loan size, and how to soften the hit.
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