Thousands of buyers missed out on Help to Buy simply because they earned a few thousand dollars too much.
From 1 July 2026, that line has moved. A fresh round of places has opened, and the income caps that ruled some buyers out no longer apply.
Help to Buy is the federal government’s shared equity scheme, letting eligible buyers purchase with a deposit as low as 2%, while the government contributes part of the purchase price in exchange for an equity share.
Housing Australia has confirmed changes for the new financial year that widen who can apply.
10,000 Fresh Places for 2026–27
A new allocation of 10,000 places has opened for the 2026–27 financial year, available across all states and territories now that the scheme has rolled out nationally.
Demand in the scheme’s first year was strong, particularly in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, so places have historically moved quickly.
Higher Income Caps From 1 July 2026
Taxable income limits have increased to $103,000 for single applicants and $165,000 for couples and single parents, up from the previous thresholds.
If you checked your eligibility last year and missed out on income alone, it’s worth checking again.
The Core Eligibility Still Applies
Beyond the new income caps, applicants still need to plan to live in the property as their principal residence, not currently own property or land anywhere, and buy under the relevant price cap for their location.
You don’t need to be a first home buyer to qualify, the requirement is that you own no property at the time you apply.
Final Thought
Shared equity isn’t the right structure for everyone, the government’s stake needs to be bought back over time, and product choice is currently limited to a small panel of lenders.
But for buyers who’ve been priced out by a full deposit, the combination of more places and higher caps is worth a second look this financial year.
Learn More
If you’d like to check whether you now qualify, or compare Help to Buy against other low-deposit options, you can access further information and request a personalised assessment via the link below.