First home buying in Australia, explained in plain English
Buying your first home is the biggest financial decision most Australians make — and the jargon makes it harder than it needs to be. These guides break down deposits, grants, borrowing power and loans in plain language, with links to the official sources so you can trust what you’re reading.
The guides
- The complete first home buyer guide — the whole journey, step by step.
- How much deposit do you need? — 20% vs 5%, and LMI.
- First home buyer grants & schemes — FHOG, First Home Guarantee, stamp duty, FHSSS.
- How much can I borrow? — what really sets your borrowing power.
- Home loan pre-approval, explained — what it is, how long it lasts.
- The true cost of buying — every upfront cost beyond the deposit.
- Fixed vs variable home loans — the real trade-offs.
Thinking about talking to a broker?
When you’re ready to turn research into action, a licensed broker can compare lenders and check which schemes you qualify for. We point readers to Best Brokers Melbourne, a free broker-matching service.
General information only — not financial or credit advice. This site links to Best Brokers Melbourne, a mortgage broker referral service, and may earn a referral fee at no cost to you. Always confirm current scheme details with the official source or a licensed broker.