Queensland’s Boost to Buy scheme now has a $1 million property cap, a minimum 2% deposit and specific contract requirements that buyers should understand before signing. Round 2 places in South East Queensland are currently exhausted, while regional Queensland allocations remain available through the approved lender, subject to availability.
Current scheme position
Boost to Buy is the Queensland Government’s shared-equity home ownership scheme for eligible first home buyers. The government may contribute up to 30% of the purchase price of a new home and up to 25% of an existing home, reducing the amount the participant needs to borrow.
Queensland Treasury currently states that Round 2 allocations for South East Queensland are exhausted. Regional Queensland allocations remain available, subject to the approved lender’s current appointment and allocation position.
Scheme availability can change. Buyers should confirm their provisional approval and regional allocation before committing to a property.
Who can qualify?
Current Queensland Treasury eligibility criteria include the following:
- the applicant must be an Australian citizen and/or permanent resident aged 18 or over;
- the applicant must be a first home buyer, meaning neither the applicant nor their spouse owns or has owned real property in Australia;
- a minimum deposit of 2% of the purchase price is required from demonstrated savings;
- for the 2026 taxable income year, the income threshold is up to $155,000 for a single adult, up to $232,000 combined for two adults, or up to $232,000 for a single adult with dependants;
- the property must be the participant’s principal place of residence;
- the applicant must purchase as an individual, not through a company or as trustee; and
- the names used on the title, scheme application and loan documents must be consistent.
The scheme also restricts participation where the buyer is receiving certain other Commonwealth or State home-buyer guarantees, shared-equity assistance or government home-ownership loans.
What properties can be purchased?
An eligible property must be residential property in Queensland with a purchase price of $1 million or less.
It can be an existing home or a newly built home, provided the required Certificate of Occupancy or Final Inspection Certificate has been issued before the buyer signs the contract.
The following are currently ineligible:
- off-the-plan purchases;
- vacant land; and
- properties bought at auction.
This makes the timing of contract review particularly important. A property can appear suitable in ordinary conveyancing terms but still fail the scheme’s eligibility rules.
Contract conditions matter
Queensland Treasury states that participants must include at least a 14-day subject-to-finance clause and a 30-day settlement period in the contract of sale under the standard scheme requirements.
Those minimum periods are intended to allow time for final lender approval, property eligibility checks and the government’s shared-equity contribution to be arranged.
Because auction contracts are ordinarily unconditional, auction purchases do not qualify for the scheme.
A buyer should therefore avoid signing an unconditional contract, shortening the finance period or agreeing to an unusually fast settlement without first confirming that the change will not jeopardise their Boost to Buy approval.
How the shared equity works
The Queensland Government’s contribution is not an interest-free loan. It is an equity interest in the property.
If the government contributes 25% of the purchase price of an existing home, its equity will generally move with the value of the property. When the participant later repays the government’s share or sells the property, the amount required is based on the relevant market value at that time rather than simply the original dollar contribution.
Participants can make additional repayments to reduce the government’s equity, subject to the scheme rules and lender requirements.
Transfer duty, grants and land tax
Participation in Boost to Buy does not automatically prevent a buyer from accessing Queensland transfer duty home concessions, the First Home Owner Grant or the home land-tax exemption.
Queensland Revenue Office Public Ruling GEN013.1 establishes an administrative arrangement under which participation in Boost to Buy and Help to Buy is treated as not adversely affecting those revenue and grant outcomes, provided the participant otherwise satisfies the relevant legal requirements.
These concessions and grants still have their own eligibility tests and must be considered separately.
Read QRO Public Ruling GEN013.1.
Conveyancing checklist before signing
A Boost to Buy participant should check the following before entering into a Queensland contract:
- Confirm that a scheme allocation or provisional approval is actually available for the region in which the property is located.
- Confirm the property price is no more than $1 million.
- Check that a new property already has the required occupancy or final inspection certificate.
- Do not assume an off-the-plan property or auction purchase will qualify.
- Include at least the required 14-day finance condition and 30-day settlement period.
- Check that the buyer names are identical across the contract, title, loan and scheme documents.
- Budget separately for conveyancing, searches, inspections, transfer duty and registration costs.
- Check any First Home Owner Grant or transfer duty concession independently.
Contract amendments made after signing can also affect finance and scheme administration, so proposed changes to the buyer name, settlement date or purchase structure should be checked before they are agreed.
Ongoing obligations and exit
Boost to Buy continues after settlement. Participants must comply with ongoing scheme obligations, including using the property as their principal place of residence and completing required eligibility reviews.
Queensland Treasury states that a participant must remain in the scheme for at least two years from settlement before exiting by sale or full repayment of the government’s equity. Income increases can also trigger notification and repayment obligations under the scheme rules.
When a participant sells, refinances or seeks to repay the government equity, lender and valuation requirements will need to be coordinated with the property transaction.
How Ensure Legal can assist
Ensure Legal can assist with Queensland contract reviews, conveyancing and settlement where a buyer is purchasing through Boost to Buy.
See our Queensland conveyancing services
Discuss your contract before signing
Queensland Treasury — Boost to Buy
Queensland Treasury — eligibility and obligations
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal, financial or taxation advice. Scheme criteria and availability can change. Buyers should confirm the current Queensland Government and lender requirements and obtain advice for their individual circumstances. Information reviewed 28 September 2026.
