The NSW Government has just announced it is launching an initiative to make home ownership more achievable for single parents, older singles and key worker first home buyers.
This initiative called the Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper is planned to begin on 23 January 2023 where the NSW Government will for eligible and approved applicants, contribute a proportion of the purchase price of a property in exchange for an equivalent interest in the property.
The contribution is a percentage of the purchase price and the maximum amount is determined by whether it is a new or existing home.
- New home – up to 40%
- Existing home – up to 30%
As long as a participant remains eligible for the initiative, no repayments are required, and no rent or interest will be charged. Participants can also make voluntary payments to progressively increase their ownership share in the property.
Check if you might be able to access Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper by using the Eligibility assessment.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/shared-equity/eligibility-assessment
The initiative is open to:
- single parents of a dependent child or children
- single people 50 years of age or above, or
- first home buyer key workers who are nurses, midwives, paramedics, teachers, early childhood educators or police officers.
The gross income of the participants must be no more than $90,000 for singles and $120,000 for couples.
Participants must buy a home in NSW with the maximum property price determined by the home’s location:
- $950,000 in Sydney and major regional centres (Newcastle & Lake Macquarie, Illawarra, Central Coast and North Coast of NSW), or
- $600,000 in other regional areas of NSW.
Participants must:
- be 18 years or over
- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a permanent Australian resident
- have a minimum deposit of 2% of the purchase price
- occupy the property as their principal place of residence
- not currently own any land or property
- not be able to service the mortgage for the property purchase without the government contribution but be able to service the mortgage with a participating lender with the government contribution.
Purchase costs
All purchasing costs (including stamp duty) are the responsibility of the participant.
Those entering the initiative remain eligible for first home buyer grants, any stamp duty or land tax concessions and First Home Buyer Choice where applicable.
Ongoing obligations
To maintain eligibility, participants’ ongoing obligations include:
- paying for property costs
- maintaining the property
- complying with a periodic review of ongoing eligibility.
A participant may be required to begin repayment of the government’s share in the property in certain situations, including where they no longer meet certain ongoing eligibility criteria. Revenue NSW will work with participants in meeting this obligation.
How Long will Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper run for
Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper will be available from 23 January 2023. Applications will be accepted during two financial years (2022-2023 and 2023-2024). There will be 3000 places per financial year.
Which bank is the lending partner for the scheme
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is the participating lender in the Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper.
Can I buy back an equity share back from the government?
Participants in the initiative can make voluntary payments to progressively reduce the state’s interest in their property. The minimum payment is 5% of the property value.
What happens when I sell the property?
The proceeds of sale will be paid in the following order: first, the participating lender, followed by the state, and then the participant subject to any other claim on the property.
The government will be paid for its interest in the property and proportionally share in the gains or losses with the home buyer from the sale.
You can register your interest in the scheme here – https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/shared-equity/get-notified
