Buying a home can be difficult – especially if you’ve been off the property ladder for most of your life. Fortunately for aspiring NSW homeowners, the State Government has set up a scheme to help you make that important purchase.

Starting on 23 January, 2023, the Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper initiative offers to cover a percentage of the purchase price – 40% of a new home and 30% of an existing home – for homes with a maximum price of $950,000 in Sydney and major regional centres, or $600,000 in other regional areas of the state.

In exchange for the assistance, the State Government will own a portion of the home’s equity; no repayments will be required to the Government, though buyers can later buy out the Government’s share in the property at a minimum of 5% at a time.

The initiative is available to single parents of a dependent child or children, single people aged 50 and up, and first home buyer key workers who are nurses, midwives, paramedics, teachers, early childhood educators or police officers.

To qualify, you must:

  • be 18 years or over;
  • be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a permanent Australian resident;
  • have a minimum deposit of 2% of the purchase price;
  • occupy the property as their principal place of residence;
  • not currently own any land or property;
  • not be able to service the mortgage for the property purchase without the government contribution;
  • but be able to service the mortgage with a participating lender with the government contribution.

For more details, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/shared-equity.