Is Buying Off-the-Plan in Queensland Worth It for First Home Buyers?

Short answer: Yes. If you know what you are doing.

Queensland is one of the best states in Australia right now for first home buyers. Between the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant, full stamp duty concessions on new homes, and access to brand-new estates across Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and the Gold Coast, the numbers stack up in ways that buying established simply cannot match.

What Is Off-the-Plan Property?

Buying off-the-plan means purchasing a property before it is built. You sign a contract today based on plans and specifications, pay a deposit (typically 10%), and settle when the home is complete.

In Queensland, this applies to house and land packages, townhouses in master-planned communities, and apartments in growth corridors like the Gold Coast and inner Brisbane.

What Is a House and Land Package in Queensland?

A house and land package combines two contracts, one for the land, one for the build, into a single purchase process.

The key advantage: stamp duty is only paid on the land component, not the finished home.

For a QLD first home buyer, this alone can save $15,000 to $30,000 versus buying established.

BK Home Broker active QLD estates:

• Logan — Yarrabilba, Bahrs Scrub, South Maclean, Park Ridge, Logan Reserve (from $900K)

• Ipswich — South Ripley, Bellbird Park, Collingwood Park, Walloon, Raceview (from $700K)

• Moreton Bay — Morayfield, Lilywood, Mango Hill, Caboolture, Woodford (from $800K)

• Brisbane — Durack, Yeronga, Everton Park, Coorparoo (from $900K)

• Gold Coast — Upper Coomera, Pimpama, Palm Beach, Southport (from $600K)

• Sunshine Coast — Beerwah (from $800K)

The $30,000 First Home Owner Grant. Who Qualifies?

Queensland FHOG gives eligible buyers $30,000 cash toward a new home.

To qualify: property must be new (never lived in), purchase price $750,000 or under, Australian citizen or permanent resident, intend to live in the home for at least 12 months, and neither you nor your partner have previously owned property in Australia.

This grant applies directly to house and land packages, a powerful lever for buyers entering at the $500K to $750K price point across Logan, Ipswich and Moreton Bay.

Stamp Duty Concessions for QLD First Home Buyers

• Full exemption on homes valued up to $500,000

• Partial concession on homes between $500,001 and $550,000

• House and land packages: stamp duty calculated on land value only

Combined with the FHOG, eligible buyers can save $45,000+ compared to purchasing an equivalent established home.

Where to Find New Homes Near the Gold Coast

• Upper Coomera — 600sqm lots, family estates, from $1.2M (BK active: Riverview Estate)

• Pimpama — midpoint between Brisbane and Gold Coast, strong rental demand (BK active: Ironbark Estate)

• Palm Beach — premium beachside apartments from $1.3M (BK active: Elevaire)

• Southport — Gold Coast CBD apartments, sub-1.5% vacancy, 2-bed from $800K (BK active: Onyx, Bella Vita)

How the Off-the-Plan Buying Process Works in QLD

1. Get pre-approval and know your borrowing capacity first

2. Choose your estate and lot based on location, size and school catchments

3. Select your builder and design and review inclusions and fixed-price contract

4. Sign contracts, land and build contracts are separate in QLD

5. Pay deposit, typically 10% of land price, held in trust

6. Wait for land registration before build commences

7. Progress payments at each construction stage: slab, frame, lockup, fixing, completion

8. Settlement and handover, final inspection, finance drawn, keys collected

How BK Home Broker Works. Zero Fee to Buyers

BK Home Broker connects QLD buyers to new and off-the-plan properties across the state.

Zero fee to the buyer, our service is funded by the developer.

Tell us your budget, location and timeline.

We match you to active projects, provide full buyer info including floor plans, inclusions, rental estimates and grant eligibility, and support you from first enquiry through to settlement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to buy off-the-plan in Queensland?

Yes. Your deposit is held in trust, builders must hold a QBCC licence, and there is a statutory defects liability period post-completion. Always use a conveyancer experienced in off-the-plan contracts.

How long does a house and land package take to build in QLD?

Typically 12 to 24 months from contract to handover, depending on land registration and builder schedule.

Can I use the First Home Super Saver Scheme?

Yes. Eligible buyers can access up to $50,000 from super via the FHSS for off-the-plan purchases including house and land packages.

Do I pay stamp duty on a house and land package?

Stamp duty is calculated on land value only, not the completed home price. First home buyers under relevant thresholds may pay zero.