How Much Deposit Do You Really Need to Buy Your First Home in Sydney?
The 20% rule scares off buyers who could purchase years earlier. Here is what each deposit size actually means in Sydney. 5%, 10% and 20%, and the help available.
Insights
Deposits and schemes
The 5% Deposit Scheme in 2026: A Sydney First Home Buyer’s Guide
No income caps, no place limits, a $1.5m Sydney cap. How the First Home Guarantee actually works, what it costs, and how it stacks with other help.
The First Home Super Saver Scheme, Explained
Save your deposit through super and let the tax system help. The FHSS mechanics, the strict timing rules, and how couples double it.
Help to Buy in NSW: The Shared Equity Scheme
The government contributes up to 40% of the price and you repay nothing monthly on it. How Help to Buy works and who it genuinely suits.
5% Deposit vs 20% Deposit: The Real Trade-Offs
Buy years sooner with 5%, or wait for 20% and a smaller loan? The comparison people skip, and the middle paths worth remembering.