1
Confirm that you qualify as a first-home buyer
Each scheme defines eligibility differently. Your spouse or partner’s property history can matter even if they are not applying for the loan or will not be on title.
First Home Buyer · Nepali Community Australia
First Home Buyer Guide for the Nepali Community in Australia
Buying your first home in Australia can feel complicated when you are balancing a deposit, lender rules, government schemes, stamp duty, family expectations and the unfamiliar language of mortgages. This guide breaks the process into practical steps for Nepali Australians and permanent residents preparing to buy their first home.
By Sandeep Sigdel
Founder, Director & Principal Mortgage Broker · Updated August 2026
Quick answer
What should a Nepali first-home buyer do first?
Start by confirming your first-home buyer status, citizenship or permanent residency, available deposit and realistic borrowing capacity. Then check the federal and state schemes you may qualify for before choosing a property. Government support can reduce upfront costs, but eligibility differs by state, property value, residency status and program.
First-home buying in Australia: the four numbers you should know before inspecting property
Before spending weekends at open homes, work out four figures: your available cash, likely total buying costs, comfortable monthly repayment and lender-assessed borrowing capacity. These numbers are related, but they are not the same.
Your depositCash or eligible funds available toward the purchase after allowing for other costs.
Purchase costsTransfer duty, conveyancing, inspections, lender fees, insurance and other transaction costs.
Comfortable budgetThe repayment level your household can manage without relying only on the maximum a lender may approve.
Borrowing capacityThe amount a lender may be prepared to lend after assessing income, expenses and liabilities.
Government supportPotential grants, guarantees, duty concessions or eligible super savings that can affect your upfront position.
Cash bufferFunds retained after settlement for moving costs, maintenance and unexpected expenses.
Step-by-step first-home buyer process
2
Check citizenship or permanent-residency conditions
Many first-home buyer programs require Australian citizenship or permanent residency. Permanent residents from Nepal may qualify for a number of programs when the other criteria are met.
3
Calculate your deposit and all buying costs
A 10% deposit does not mean you only need 10% in cash. Budget separately for duty, conveyancing, inspections, lender fees and post-settlement expenses.
4
Review your borrowing capacity
Lenders assess income, living expenses, existing debts, credit-card limits, dependants and other commitments. Variable income can be treated differently between lenders.
5
Check grants, guarantees and duty concessions
Government support differs by state and changes over time. Review federal programs as well as the rules in the state or territory where you plan to buy.
6
Compare lender policies and loan structures
Look beyond the advertised rate. Compare fees, offset accounts, redraw, repayment structure, lender policy and the total fit for your circumstances.
7
Seek pre-approval where appropriate
Conditional pre-approval can help establish a clearer budget before making an offer, but it is not a guarantee of final approval.
8
Choose a property and complete settlement
Your conveyancer handles legal aspects of the purchase while the broker coordinates valuation, finance conditions, formal approval and settlement with the lender.
What first-home buyer support may be available?
There is no single national “first-home buyer benefit.” Instead, support can come from federal programs and separate state or territory schemes. Eligibility depends on the program, applicant status, property type, property value and occupancy requirements.
| Support type | What it may do | Important point |
|---|---|---|
| Home Guarantee Scheme | Eligible buyers may be able to purchase with a smaller deposit through a participating lender. | Scheme eligibility does not replace the lender’s normal credit and servicing assessment. |
| First Home Super Saver Scheme | Eligible first-home buyers can release qualifying voluntary super contributions and associated earnings toward a first home. | You do not need to be an Australian citizen or tax resident merely to use the FHSS scheme, but all other scheme conditions apply. |
| First Home Owner Grant | Some states provide grants for eligible new-home purchases or builds. | Grant amounts and property rules differ between states and territories. |
| Transfer duty concessions | Eligible buyers may receive a full or partial stamp-duty/transfer-duty concession. | Thresholds and eligibility are location-specific and may depend on property value and residency status. |
Example: first-home buyer support in Victoria
Victoria currently provides a $10,000 First Home Owner Grant for eligible first-home buyers purchasing or building a qualifying new home valued up to $750,000. At least one applicant must satisfy the required Australian citizenship or permanent-residency condition at the relevant date, along with the other program rules.
Victoria also has first-home buyer land-transfer-duty concessions and exemptions. These are separate from the grant, so the benefit available to you depends on the transaction and current eligibility rules.
Why this matters for Nepali permanent residents
Permanent residency can make you eligible for first-home buyer support that may not be available to temporary visa holders, but each program has its own definition and requirements. Do not assume every scheme uses the same rules.
Example: first-home buyer stamp duty support in New South Wales
Under the current NSW First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme, an eligible first-home buyer must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, among other requirements. For qualifying new or existing homes, the current thresholds provide a full transfer-duty exemption at or below $800,000 and a concessional rate above $800,000 and below $1 million.
These thresholds are particularly relevant to buyers in Sydney and surrounding NSW markets, where transaction costs can materially affect the amount of cash required at settlement.
Can Nepali first-home buyers use superannuation for a deposit?
The First Home Super Saver Scheme allows eligible first-home buyers to release certain voluntary superannuation contributions and associated earnings to help purchase or build a first home in Australia. The Australian Taxation Office states that you do not need to be an Australian citizen or an Australian tax resident simply to use the scheme.
This does not mean all super can be withdrawn. Only eligible contributions and amounts calculated under the scheme can be released, and procedural requirements apply. If you are planning to use FHSS funds, organise the determination and release process before settlement rather than leaving it to the final stage.
How much deposit should a first-home buyer aim for?
There is no universal deposit target. Some first-home buyers focus on 20% because a lower loan-to-value ratio can reduce or avoid lenders mortgage insurance in many standard lending scenarios. Others buy with a smaller deposit because they qualify for a government guarantee or because waiting several more years to accumulate 20% does not suit their circumstances.
The right question is not simply “what is the minimum?” It is what deposit leaves me with a sensible loan size, manageable repayments and enough cash remaining after settlement?
What if your deposit includes money from Nepal?
Family support is common in many Nepali households. If part of your deposit comes from parents or relatives in Nepal, tell your broker before the application. Lenders may request transaction history, evidence of the source of funds and confirmation about whether the money is a genuine gift or must be repaid.
Keeping a clear paper trail can make the application easier to explain. Avoid moving large amounts between several accounts without retaining records that show where the money came from.
Common first-home buyer mistakes to avoid
- Shopping at the lender’s maximum: the maximum approved amount may not be your comfortable household budget.
- Ignoring credit-card limits: unused card limits can still affect servicing calculations.
- Applying for new credit before settlement: new car loans, personal loans or BNPL exposure can change your borrowing position.
- Using every dollar for the deposit: maintain a buffer for moving, repairs and unexpected costs.
- Assuming a grant equals cash at contract signing: payment timing differs between programs.
- Relying on social-media advice: first-home buyer rules vary by state, lender and transaction date.
- Signing before finance and legal checks: understand contract conditions and obtain appropriate conveyancing advice.
Why Nepali-speaking mortgage guidance can help
First-home buyers are often hearing mortgage terminology for the first time: pre-approval, LVR, LMI, offset account, redraw, valuation, settlement, variable rate and fixed rate. Being able to discuss these concepts in Nepali can make it easier to involve a spouse or family member and ask questions without feeling rushed.
SKR Global Finance provides mortgage guidance in Nepali, Hindi and English and can compare available options across more than 30 lenders and finance partners, subject to accreditation and the borrower’s circumstances.
First-home buyer support across major Australian cities
SKR Global Finance is physically based in Mill Park, Melbourne and can support eligible borrowers across Australia using phone, video, email and digital application processes. The coordinates below identify service-area cities and not SKR branch locations.
Melbourne
First-home buyer mortgage guidance for Nepali families across Melbourne and Victoria, with the SKR Global Finance office in Mill Park.
-37.8136, 144.9631 · Service areaSydney
Remote first-home buyer support for Nepali borrowers across Sydney and NSW, including lender comparison and pre-approval guidance.
-33.8688, 151.2093 · Service areaAdelaide
Home-loan planning and first-home buyer guidance for eligible borrowers across Adelaide and South Australia.
-34.9285, 138.6007 · Service areaCanberra
Mortgage support for Nepali first-home buyers, professionals and permanent residents in Canberra and the ACT.
-35.2809, 149.1300 · Service areaPerth
Digital mortgage consultations for first-home buyers across Perth and Western Australia.
-31.9523, 115.8613 · Service areaBrisbane
First-home buyer home-loan and deposit-planning guidance for eligible Nepali borrowers in Brisbane and Queensland.
-27.4698, 153.0251 · Service area
Sandeep Sigdel
Founder, Director and Principal Mortgage Broker at SKR Global Finance. Sandeep brings more than seven years of combined experience across mortgage lending, bank credit departments and mortgage broking in Australia and overseas.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nepali permanent residents qualify for first-home buyer support?
Potentially, yes. Permanent residents can satisfy the residency-status requirement for a number of current first-home buyer programs, but the other eligibility requirements still need to be met.
How much deposit does a first-home buyer need?
There is no single percentage for everyone. Your deposit requirement depends on lender policy, LVR, property type, mortgage-insurance requirements and whether you qualify for a relevant government-backed guarantee.
Can first-home buyers use superannuation savings?
Eligible buyers may be able to use the First Home Super Saver Scheme to release qualifying voluntary super contributions and associated earnings. The scheme has specific contribution, determination and release rules.
Does Victoria still have a First Home Owner Grant?
Yes. Victoria currently provides a $10,000 grant for eligible buyers purchasing or building a qualifying new home valued up to $750,000, subject to all program requirements.
Does NSW have stamp duty relief for first-home buyers?
Yes. The current NSW First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme provides eligible purchasers with a full transfer-duty exemption on qualifying homes up to $800,000 and a concession above $800,000 and below $1 million.
Can family in Nepal gift part of my deposit?
It may be possible. The lender may ask for evidence showing where the funds came from and whether they are a genuine gift or a repayable debt. Keep a clear transaction trail.
Should I get pre-approval before looking for a home?
Pre-approval can help establish a clearer borrowing range before making offers, but it remains conditional and is not the same as unconditional or formal approval.
Does SKR Global Finance help first-home buyers outside Melbourne?
Yes. SKR Global Finance is physically based in Mill Park and can support eligible first-home buyers across Australia through phone, video, email and digital application processes.
Final answer: your first home should start with a plan, not a property listing
For Nepali first-home buyers in Australia, the most useful first step is to understand your financial position before falling in love with a property. Confirm your eligibility, calculate your deposit and buying costs, review government support, understand your borrowing capacity and compare lender options.
Government grants and concessions can be valuable, but they should support a sound home-buying plan rather than determine the entire budget. A mortgage should still fit your income, lifestyle and longer-term goals after settlement.
Official sources and further reading
Buying Your First Home in Australia?
Speak with Sandeep Sigdel about your deposit, borrowing capacity, first-home buyer schemes and lender options in Nepali, Hindi or English.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or personal financial advice. Government grants, guarantee schemes, duty concessions, thresholds and lender policies can change and should be checked for your circumstances and transaction date. Credit is subject to lender eligibility, assessment and approval. Sandeep Sigdel is a Credit Representative (CRN 576436), and SKR GLOBAL FINANCE PTY LTD is a Credit Representative (CRN 576435), of Finsure Finance & Insurance Pty Ltd, Australian Credit Licence 384704.