Perth First-Home Buyers: What the New Home Guarantee Scheme Changes Mean for You

From 1 October 2025, the Australian Government will roll out major updates to the Home Guarantee Scheme. These changes aim to make buying your first home more achievable, particularly in areas where prices have crept beyond previous limits.

For buyers in Perth’s eastern corridor — suburbs like Maida Vale, Forrestfield, High Wycombe, and Kalamunda — this could be the perfect chance to finally get into the property market.

The Big Changes

• Unlimited places available
  No more waiting lists or racing to secure a limited spot — the guarantee will be open to every eligible buyer who qualifies.

• Income caps removed
  Dual-income families and professionals who previously earned “too much” can now use the scheme.

• Higher property price caps
  Perth’s new limit will rise from around $600,000 to $850,000 for capital city and regional centre locations. This opens up a far bigger pool of homes across the metro area.

• Simplified regional rules
  The separate regional scheme is being folded into the main program, making eligibility clearer and simpler.

What This Means in Perth’s Eastern Suburbs

Rising prices have made it tough for many first-home buyers to purchase in popular family-friendly suburbs like Maida Vale, Forrestfield, High Wycombe, and Kalamunda. Under the old $600,000 cap, many houses in these areas were already out of reach.

With the new $850,000 cap, a much larger range of established homes and even some new builds will now qualify under the scheme. This could mean:

• More choice for buyers who want to stay close to family and established schools

• The ability to buy in leafy, hillside suburbs like Kalamunda without being forced to compromise on location

• Opportunities to secure bigger blocks in Forrestfield or Maida Vale that were previously over the threshold

Why This Matters

1. Lower deposit hurdle
   You can still buy with just a 5% deposit, avoiding Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), which can save tens of thousands of dollars.

2. More homes qualify
   The higher cap finally reflects real Perth market conditions, particularly in growth areas near the foothills and airport corridor.

3. No risk of missing out on a spot
   Unlimited places mean you won’t lose eligibility simply because the scheme allocation has run dry.

4. Better access for families
   Removing income caps means more households in dual-income suburbs like High Wycombe and Kalamunda are now eligible.

How to Prepare

• Start saving now: Even though only 5% is required, the more you save, the stronger your position with lenders.

• Research your target suburbs: Keep an eye on homes in Maida Vale, Forrestfield, High Wycombe, and Kalamunda to see what falls under the new $850,000 limit.

• Work with a broker early: Not every bank participates in the scheme. A broker can line up your options so you’re ready to go when the new rules take effect.

• Plan your timing: If you’re aiming to use the higher cap, make sure your application is lodged after 1 October 2025.

Final Thoughts

For Perth buyers, these changes to the Home Guarantee Scheme are a game-changer. Suburbs that were previously out of reach — from the family-friendly streets of Forrestfield to the leafy hills of Kalamunda — will now fall within the scheme’s property cap.

If you’ve been holding off because prices were too high, this may be the perfect time to revisit your buying plans. Reach out now for a chat!