The Queensland Government’s Boost to Buy Shared Equity Scheme is here to help you secure your first home on the Gold Coast, where median house prices are now over AU$1.2 million. Launched as part of the 2025-2026 Queensland State Budget with a hefty $165 million, this pilot program is a game-changer for 1,000 eligible buyers.
This is a transformative opportunity to secure your first home in a dynamic and competitive market. The Gold Coast property market is expected to continue growing in 2025, with some predictions suggesting that house prices could reach $2.7 million by 2030. However, most experts are forecasting a more modest 3-5% increase in Gold Coast house prices for 2025. The market is characterized by strong demand, limited supply, and relatively high returns, driven by population growth, interstate migration, and lifestyle appeal. This combination makes the Gold Coast unit market particularly attractive, with a minimum growth of 5-8% anticipated in 2025.
However, the high median house prices (over $1.2 million as of recent reports) and competitive nature of the market underscore the importance of careful planning when using the Boost to Buy Scheme. Buyers should be cautious about overpaying and consider the potential for market volatility, which could impact their equity position.
This scheme lets the government chip in to cover part of your home’s cost, slashing the deposit you need:
- 30% equity for new builds or 25% equity for existing Gold Coast homes, up to a property value of AU$1 million.
- You only need a 2% deposit. For a AU$750,000 home, that’s just AU$15,000 upfront!
- No rent or interest on the government’s share—you repay their equity when you sell or through voluntary repayments over time.
- It’s a pilot with 1,000 spots over two years, so you’ll need to act fast.
Who’s Eligible?
- Singles earning up to AU$150,000 a year.
- Couples with a combined income of up to AU$225,000.
- You must live in the property as your principal place of residence for at least 6 months. Rentvestors can rent it out after that, but you’ll need to notify the government of any changes.
Stimulating Demand and the Risks of Low Equity
The Queensland Government’s Boost to Buy scheme is going to stimulate demand by lowering the deposit barrier, helping first home buyers enter the market. The budget also includes measures to address low housing supply, such as streamlining development approvals and investing in housing infrastructure, however these measures will take time to come to fruition. The scheme aims to ease pressure on the rental market by increasing homeownership, which could reduce competition for rentals.
While the scheme offers significant benefits, low equity can pose some very real challenges:
- Overpaying in a Hot Market
Research suggests that Government incentives like Boost to Buy can crank up demand, especially in competitive areas like the Gold Coast. With everyone chasing the same properties, you might feel pressured to stretch your budget or bid above market value just to secure a home. If property prices drop later, you could end up with very little equity, or worse, negative equity, where your mortgage is bigger than the property’s worth.
- Selling Early Can Be a Nightmare
One thing is for sure, life is unpredictable, and circumstances such as job changes, family needs, or rising interest rates might force you to sell sooner than planned. With low equity, selling the property could mean not recovering your upfront costs, like stamp duty, legal fees, or lenders’ mortgage insurance (LMI). In some cases, you could even need to dip into your pocket to cover a shortfall. This risk is particularly acute in volatile markets, and the evidence leans toward the importance of planning for such scenarios. - Market Volatility Hits Harder
The Gold Coast property market is no slouch—it’s expected to keep growing with strong infrastructure spending and a population that is continuing to climb, with some forecasts predicting house prices could hit $2.7 million by 2030. But there’s always a chance of a slowdown or correction. If prices do dip, your low equity could leave you exposed, making it harder to sell or refinance. Recent insights suggest a modest 3-5% growth in 2025, which underscores the need for caution.
Stamp Duty Abolished for First Home Buyers?
Stamp duty is not entirely abolished for all first home buyers, but the Queensland government has introduced significant concessions. As part of the 2025-2026 budget, the government has abolished stamp duty on NEW homes for first home buyers, effective from 1 May 2025, saving up to AU$24,000 on an AU$850,000 home.
For EXISTING homes, first home buyers may still qualify for stamp duty concessions under the First Home Concession, which applies to homes valued up to AU$800,000 (with partial concessions up to AU$730,000). This means that existing homes still qualify for concessions under specific thresholds.
How WE Can Assist
As your buyer’s agent, Maynard Property Group provides expert guidance to navigate the Boost to Buy Scheme and the Gold Coast property market:
- Tailored Property Search: We identify properties within the relevant cap, aligning with your preferences—whether a new build to leverage the 30% equity contribution or an existing home in a preferred suburb.
- Property Planning: We conduct thorough market analysis to prevent overpaying and develop a property strategy aligned with your long-term goals.
- Expert Negotiation: Our team secures the best possible price, mitigating the risk of inflated bids in a competitive market.
- Seamless Process: From initial strategy to settlement, we manage all the logistics for a stress-free experience.
Get in on It!
Ready to find your dream home on the Gold Coast? Let’s have a chat and track down a property that’s perfect for you—whether it’s a coastal unit or a family home with room to grow. Contact us today to discuss your homeownership goals!