First home buyers across Australia
Aquarius Lawyers assists first home buyers across Australia with contracts and settlement. Tell us the property's state or territory so we can check the local duty and assistance rules before you bid or sign.
Aquarius Lawyers confirms the proposed work, boundaries and likely third-party charges in writing before work begins.
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Buying your first home
These are common steps when buying a first home. Contract, duty and assistance rules depend on the property's state or territory.
Send your contract and deadlineSend the draft Contract for Sale before you bid or sign. Ask about the title, easements, strata records and any issue that may affect the property.
Check the contract, cooling off period and finance before the purchase becomes binding.
Check the assistance rules for the property's state or territory and prepare the required documents.
Work with the lender, prepare the PEXA workspace and complete the registration and settlement steps.
NSW first home buyer assistance
The figures below apply only to property in NSW. The First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme may provide a transfer duty exemption or concessional rate. Rules elsewhere in Australia differ.
New or existing home
Revenue NSW uses the value of the home to identify the available duty treatment.
Vacant residential land
Separate value thresholds apply when the purchase is vacant land for a future home.
Eligibility depends on the buyers, property, contract date and residence requirements. This guide is general information, not an eligibility decision.
Ask about the contract, property and loan before you commit. Your written quote will confirm which work Aquarius Lawyers will do.
Send your property detailsCheck the deposit, settlement date, special conditions and any proposed cooling off waiver before you commit.
For a strata property, check the plan, by-laws, levies and records before you buy.
Check the title and plan for interests, easements or covenants that may affect how you use the property.
Check the lender's requirements, valuation and any finance deadline before exchange.
Check the rules for the property's state or territory. The NSW figures above apply only to NSW property.
Arrange the inspections needed for the property and complete the final inspection close to settlement.
An off-the-plan buyer expected to move in by a marketed date, but construction and registration were delayed. The client wanted to terminate immediately because rental arrangements and finance approval were expiring.
What the matter showed: Off-the-plan buyers should focus on the contract’s sunset regime, permitted extensions, plan changes and settlement trigger. A delayed build does not necessarily create an immediate termination right.
LLB, LLM · Principal Solicitor, Aquarius Lawyers
Katherine reviewed the NSW first home buyer assistance examples on this page.
Last reviewed 12 September 2026. General information only; obtain advice about your contract and transaction.
Tell us about the property, where you are in the process and your next deadline. This form records only the name and size of a selected file. Send contract contents through an approved secure channel.
Thank you, . Your enquiry about has been sent to Aquarius Lawyers.
Aquarius Lawyers will use your phone number or email address to discuss the enquiry and next steps.
Read the NSW contract review guideRevenue NSW applies buyer, property, value and residence requirements. At least one eligible buyer must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and previous ownership or assistance can affect the outcome. Check the current Revenue NSW rules for your circumstances.
For contracts exchanged on or after 1 July 2023, Revenue NSW states that eligible new or existing homes valued at $800,000 or less may receive a full transfer-duty exemption, while homes above $800,000 and below $1 million may receive a concessional rate. Different thresholds apply to vacant land.
Aquarius Lawyers can identify the first-home buyer assistance questions relevant to the conveyancing matter and discuss the transaction documents required. Revenue NSW determines eligibility, and the agreed legal scope will be confirmed in writing.
Where possible, obtain advice before bidding, signing or exchanging. Send the complete Contract of Sale, property details and the next deadline so the proposed review can be confirmed.
