Yes. At 18 you are an adult who can sign a loan contract, and you can use the 5% Deposit Scheme, NSW first home buyer duty relief and the First Home Owner Grant if you meet their rules. What holds most young buyers back is income: lenders want a stable job, usually beyond probation, and enough salary to pass the 9% assessment test.

Buying at 18 at a glance
Item Position at 18
Sign a loan contract Yes
5% Deposit Scheme Yes, if a citizen or PR
NSW first home buyer duty relief Yes, over 18
First Home Owner Grant Yes, each applicant 18 or over
First Home Super Saver Scheme release From 18; earlier contributions count

Why does age 18 matter?

Lenders need a borrower who can be bound by a contract, which in practice means 18 or over. The schemes set the same line: the 5% Deposit Scheme and the First Home Owner Grant need applicants to be at least 18, and NSW first home buyer duty relief requires you to be over 18 unless Revenue NSW waives it.

What income do lenders want to see?

  • A permanent role, ideally past any probation period; see home loans on probation.
  • Casual work usually needs six to twelve months of history; see casual employment home loans.
  • Apprentices are assessed on current wages, and some lenders consider a signed progression.

How much can you borrow on a starting wage?

On the site’s model at a 9% assessment rate, a single applicant on $60,000 with no debts could borrow about $200,000; on $80,000, about $316,000. In Sydney that is a small apartment or a starting point with family help. The borrowing on $80,000 page shows the detail.

How do young buyers get into the market?

  • A family guarantee, where a parent’s equity covers the deposit; see guarantor home loans.
  • Buying with a parent as co-borrower; see joint mortgages with parents.
  • The First Home Super Saver Scheme, which lets you save part of a deposit in super; you can request a release from 18, and contributions made before 18 can count.
  • Starting smaller, with a unit you can later rent out.

What can you do now to be ready?

  1. Build a savings record in one account for genuine savings.
  2. Avoid buy now pay later and credit cards you do not need.
  3. Stay in one job long enough to pass probation.
  4. Learn the costs; the first home buyer costs guide lists them.

What does a young buyer pay at settlement?

Even with a 5% deposit, there are costs. An eligible first home buyer in NSW pays no transfer duty on a home valued up to $800,000, with a concession up to $1,000,000. The Land Registry fees, conveyancing and inspections still apply. A first home buyer with a $500,000 apartment and the 5% Deposit Scheme needs the $25,000 deposit plus these smaller costs. The stamp duty calculator shows the duty at any price.

Does HECS-HELP affect a young buyer?

Yes. Lenders count the compulsory repayment, which depends on your income, so a student debt reduces borrowing power. The article on HECS-HELP repayment thresholds shows the 2026-27 rates.

Questions people ask

What is the youngest age to get a mortgage in Australia?

Lenders generally lend from 18, when you can be bound by a credit contract.

Can an 18-year-old use the 5% Deposit Scheme?

Yes, if they are an Australian citizen or permanent resident and meet the other rules.

Can my parents buy a house for me before I turn 18?

Parents can buy in their own names, but a minor cannot be the borrower, and first home buyer relief is assessed for the people buying.

Can you get a home loan under 18?

No. Lenders require borrowers to be at least 18, and the 5% Deposit Scheme and the First Home Owner Grant also require applicants to be 18 or older. You can still save, and voluntary super contributions made before 18 can count toward a First Home Super Saver release later.

Charles Touma works out what a young buyer can borrow and which family or scheme route closes the gap. A free 30-minute call covers it, with your parents if you like. General information only, not credit advice.

Sources: Housing Australia, 5% Deposit Scheme; Revenue NSW, First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme; Revenue NSW, First Home Owner (New Homes) Grant; ATO, FHSS eligibility, checked 18 October 2026.

General information only, not credit, legal or tax advice. Your situation is assessed properly before any recommendation. Government scheme details change; figures are current at the time of writing.