Home Loans For First Home Buyers Brisbane Southside, The 2026 Guide

In 2026, Brisbane Southside remains one of the most accessible capital city markets for first home buyers in Australia. With the First Home Guarantee removing the need for a full 20% deposit, the Queensland First Home (New Home) full transfer duty exemption, and the Brisbane price cap now at $1,000,000, the path to your first home is more achievable than it might feel right now.

The key to maximising these advantages lies in getting in front of the right lender - one who understands how to assess first home buyer income favourably and which grants and schemes stack together for your situation. Whether you're buying in Greenslopes - Moorooka or looking at investment opportunities across Mount Gravatt , the difference between lenders can shift your borrowing capacity by tens of thousands of dollars.

Evergreen Loan Solutions helps first home buyers across Brisbane Southside navigate the grants, schemes, and lender options available to them, completely free of charge.

Here's what's worth knowing as a Brisbane Southside first home buyer before you approach a lender in 2026.

The First Home Guarantee changes everything for Brisbane Southside buyers

The First Home Guarantee fundamentally shifts what's required to buy your first home. Instead of saving 20% plus stamp duty plus legal costs - which could easily mean $250,000+ for a $900,000 property - you can buy with as little as 5% down and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance.

Here's the thing: the $1,000,000 Brisbane price cap captures most of the established home market across Brisbane Southside. From units in Kangaroo Point ($600K-$1.1M) through to family homes in Wishart ($1.1M-$2.2M), there are options within the scheme parameters. That's not possible in Sydney or Melbourne.

How much deposit do I need to buy my first home in Brisbane Southside?

With the First Home Guarantee, you can buy with a 5% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance up to a $1,000,000 price cap. For new builds, the Queensland Boost to Buy scheme allows as little as 2% deposit with government shared equity. The right scheme depends on your income, the property type, and your long-term plans.

Government schemes and grants for first home buyers in Brisbane Southside

• First Home Guarantee: Buy with a 5% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance, up to a $1,000,000 Brisbane price cap. Income caps and place limits removed.
• Queensland First Home (New Home) transfer duty exemption: Full transfer duty exemption with no value cap if you sign a contract for a newly built home or vacant land for a new build.
• Queensland First Home (Established) transfer duty concession: Full concession on established homes under $700,000, sliding-scale concession from $700,000 to $800,000.
• Queensland First Home Owner Grant:$30,000 for new builds before 30 June 2026 (drops to $15,000 from 1 July 2026). Property cap under $750,000.
• Queensland Boost to Buy: Shared equity scheme where the government takes up to 30% equity in a new home or 25% in an existing home, with as little as a 2% deposit. Property cap $1,000,000. Income caps apply.

• Evergreen Loan Solutions Like to know which schemes you're eligible for right now? Scheme eligibility depends on your income, the property type, and timing. A free chat with a Brisbane Southside mortgage broker gives you a clear picture - no commitment, no pressure. 5-star reviews Local experts No obligations Book a free chat today →

How do mortgage brokers help first home buyers across Brisbane Southside get approved?

Each lender has different policies around income assessment, deposit sources, and scheme eligibility. Getting your application to the lender who'll give you the strongest outcome can mean the difference between approval and rejection - or between a competitive rate and an average one.

Step 1: Talk to us

Get in touch and we'll assess your income, deposit position, and goals to understand which schemes you're eligible for and which lenders are most likely to deliver the best outcome.

Step 2: We review your deposit and income sources

We look at your savings history, any family assistance, and employment situation to identify which lenders will assess your income most favourably and accept your deposit source.

Step 3: We identify the right scheme combination

We determine whether the First Home Guarantee, transfer duty concessions, FHOG, or shared equity schemes apply to your situation and how they work together.

Step 4: We compare lenders across our panel

We present the first home loan options from our 50+ lender panel that suit your situation, comparing rates, features, and approval likelihood.

Step 5: We handle the application process

We prepare and submit your application to your chosen lender, liaising with your solicitor and ensuring all scheme requirements are met.

Step 6: We coordinate settlement

We work with your solicitor and the lender to ensure everything is ready for settlement day, including final loan drawdown and scheme confirmations.

Common mistakes Brisbane Southside first home buyers make

The biggest mistake is approaching the bank you already deal with and assuming they'll give you the best outcome. Your everyday bank might not offer the scheme you're eligible for, or might assess your income less favourably than a specialist lender who understands your employment type.

The second mistake is not understanding how transfer duty concessions work. Many first home buyers assume the established property concession applies to all properties under $800,000 - but it only applies to your purchase price, and the concession reduces as the price increases above $700,000. For new builds, there's no price cap on the transfer duty exemption.

How much can first home buyers actually borrow in Brisbane Southside?

Borrowing capacity depends on your income, existing debts, and the lender's assessment policies. With the APRA serviceability buffer, lenders test your ability to repay at approximately 8.5% - around 3% above the actual loan rate. A $90,000 household income might support borrowing anywhere from $550,000 to $650,000 depending on the lender and your financial situation.

In practice, first home buyers often focus too heavily on the deposit when borrowing capacity is the real constraint. That's exactly where lender choice becomes critical - different lenders assess the same income differently, particularly for casual workers, contractors, or those with multiple income sources.

• Evergreen Loan Solutions Ready to find out which suburb and scheme gives you the strongest start? We compare loans from 50+ lenders across Brisbane Southside. Free service, no cost to you. 5-star reviews Local experts No obligations Book a free chat today →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy in Brisbane Southside with a 5% deposit?

Yes - the First Home Guarantee allows eligible first home buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance, up to a $1,000,000 price cap. Most Brisbane Southside suburbs have options within this threshold.

Do I qualify for transfer duty concessions in Queensland?

Yes, if you're buying your first home. For established properties, you get full concession under $700,000 and partial concession from $700,000 to $800,000. For new builds, there's full transfer duty exemption with no price cap.

Can I use the First Home Owner Grant for an established property?

No - the Queensland FHOG only applies to new builds or vacant land purchases. The grant is $30,000 before 30 June 2026, dropping to $15,000 from 1 July 2026, with a $750,000 property cap.

How long does first home buyer approval take?

Typically 7-14 days from a complete application, but this varies by lender and can be longer during busy periods. Pre-approval can help speed up the process when you find a property.

What income do I need to buy in Brisbane Southside?

This depends on the property price, your deposit, and existing debts. A $80,000 household income might support borrowing $500,000-$600,000, while $120,000 household income could support $750,000-$900,000 depending on the lender's assessment.

Should I go direct to a bank or use a mortgage broker for my first home?

A mortgage broker, every time. Different lenders have vastly different policies on scheme eligibility, income assessment, and deposit requirements. A broker compares options across multiple lenders to find the one that gives you the strongest outcome for your specific situation.

Can I buy an investment property before my first home?

Yes, but you'll lose eligibility for first home buyer schemes including the First Home Guarantee, FHOG, and transfer duty concessions. If you're considering this strategy, speak to a broker first to understand the financial impact.

Your Next Steps

Getting your first home loan right is about more than finding a low rate. The right lender for your situation can mean access to schemes that save thousands in transfer duty and LMI, better income assessment that increases your borrowing capacity, and a smoother path to settlement - all advantages that vary significantly across lenders.

Ready to find out which lenders and schemes give you the strongest start as a Brisbane Southside first home buyer? Contact the Evergreen Loan Solutions team or call 0421 152 859. We'll assess your situation across our 50+ lender panel and identify the best options for your move from Eight Mile Plains across Brisbane Southside.