Six paths to your first home deposit, side by side. See how fast you reach the buy threshold, how much you pay over the life of the loan, and where you stand on net wealth at year 10.
Pre-tax, before super.
Cash already set aside for the deposit.
How much can be set aside each month after living costs.
Cash gifted toward the deposit. No Australian gift tax applies, but lenders may want a stat dec.
Value of the parent property used as security.
Available pledge equals equity minus any loan still owing.
Used to estimate year 10 net wealth. Adjust to stress-test the comparison.
Ready now
With Help to Buy, based on these inputs and assumptions. Subject to final confirmation by the relevant scheme authority and your lender.
Trade-offs and limits that could change which path suits.
FHSS saves 6 months vs straight saving
Help to Buy: government shares the upside
FHSS lifetime cap may not cover full deposit
Time to buy, loan size, 30-year cost and year 10 wealth for each path on the same property.
Subject to final confirmation by the relevant scheme authority and your lender.
Subject to final confirmation by the relevant scheme authority and your lender.
Reason: No gift amount entered
Reason: Guarantor equity not entered
Subject to final confirmation by the relevant scheme authority and your lender.
Subject to final confirmation by the relevant scheme authority and your lender.
The 30-year cost covers repayments on your share only. Buying back the government's 30% later is extra (about $509,725 at year 30 on your growth assumption).
The same figures in one table. Months to buy counts from today.
| Path | Months to buy | 30-year cost | Year 10 wealth | May be eligible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Help to Buy | Ready now | $1,163,171Excludes buying back the government's share | $248k | Likely |
| First Home Guarantee (5% Deposit Scheme) | 4 months | $1,625,019 | $367k | Likely |
| FHSS (First Home Super Saver) | 5y 8m | $1,369,287 | $458k | Likely |
| Bank savings (20% deposit) | 6y 2m | $1,368,437 | $458k | Likely |
| Parental gift | - | - | - | Unlikely |
| Parental guarantor | - | - | - | Unlikely |
Year-10 wealth uses a default growth assumption you can override. Real outcomes vary. Months-to-buy and year 10 wealth are illustrative, not a forecast, and each scheme administrator makes the final eligibility determination. Data as of May 2026.
Tools people usually open after the Deposit Boost Comparator.
For illustration only. This tool does not constitute personal financial advice. Grant amounts, caps, and eligibility rules may change. Federal scheme caps shown are for capital city/regional centres and may differ for other areas. Always verify with your state revenue office and Housing Australia, and consider seeking independent financial advice before making decisions.