House and Land Package Deposit Brisbane: 2026 Guide

How Much Deposit Do You Need for a House and Land Package in Brisbane? 2026 Guide

Last updated: August 2026

Buying a new home is exciting, but understanding the deposit can be confusing—especially when you are purchasing land and building a home at the same time.

A house and land package deposit in Brisbane may work differently from the deposit required for an established property. Depending on how the purchase is structured, you could have a land contract, a separate building contract, different payment deadlines and a construction loan that releases funds in stages.

This guide explains how much deposit you may need for a Brisbane house and land package, how the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme works, which Queensland first-home buyer benefits may be available and which additional costs you should include in your budget.

How Much Deposit Do You Need for a House and Land Package in Brisbane?

The amount you need will depend on:

The total land and construction price
The lender’s valuation of the completed property
Whether you qualify for a government deposit scheme
Your income, expenses and borrowing capacity
The deposits required under the land and building contracts
Whether Lenders Mortgage Insurance applies
Your eligibility for Queensland grants and concessions
Additional costs that are not included in the package

Eligible first-home buyers may be able to purchase with a minimum 5% deposit through the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme. Eligible single parents and legal guardians may have access to a minimum 2% deposit pathway. The lender must still approve the loan under its normal credit and borrowing requirements.

Here is a simple comparison:

Total property price	5% deposit	10% deposit	20% deposit
$700,000	$35,000	$70,000	$140,000
$850,000	$42,500	$85,000	$170,000
$1,000,000	$50,000	$100,000	$200,000

These figures are examples only. Your minimum deposit is not necessarily the same as the total cash you will need to complete the purchase.

Legal fees, finance costs, inspections, insurance, moving expenses, upgrades and items excluded from the building package may require additional funds.

Why Can a House and Land Package Involve More Than One Deposit?

Many Brisbane house and land packages are marketed using one combined price, but the legal purchase may involve two contracts:

A contract to purchase the land
A contract with the builder to construct the home

This means buyers need to understand three separate figures:

1. The land contract deposit

This is the deposit required by the landowner or developer when you sign the land contract.

2. The building contract deposit

This is the deposit paid to the builder before construction begins.

3. Your lender-required contribution

This is the total amount of your own money that the lender requires you to contribute toward the completed purchase.

The land and building deposits may form part of your overall contribution, but you should not assume that they will automatically be treated in a particular way.

Before signing either contract, ask your lender or mortgage broker for a written funds-to-complete calculation. This should show how much you need, when each payment is due and how contract deposits, savings, grants and loan funds will be applied.

How Does the Land Deposit Work?

The land contract should state:

The required deposit
When the deposit must be paid
Who will hold the deposit
The land settlement date
Whether the contract is subject to finance
What happens if finance is declined
Whether the block is registered
What happens if registration is delayed
Any conditions that must be satisfied before settlement

The amount required can vary between developments and contracts. A Queensland solicitor or conveyancer should review the contract before you sign it or transfer any money.

Registered and unregistered land

Registered land generally has an individual title and can proceed toward settlement. Unregistered land may still be going through subdivision and title-registration processes.

This distinction can be especially important for buyers using the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme. For transactions involving land, the official Scheme guide states that the land must be titled before the government guarantee can be issued, and this must occur within the applicable pre-approval period.

Before committing to unregistered land, ask:

When registration is expected
Whether that date is guaranteed
How long the finance approval remains valid
Whether the package will remain eligible if registration is delayed
Whether the builder’s price can change during the delay
Whether you can end the contract if registration does not occur by a specified date

How Does the Building Contract Deposit Work?

The building contract will normally require a separate deposit before construction starts.

For Queensland domestic building work valued at more than $20,000, the maximum deposit a contractor can generally request is 5% of the building contract price. Limited exceptions may apply where substantial customised or prefabricated work is completed away from the site.

For example, if your building contract is $400,000, a 5% building deposit would be:

$400,000 × 5% = $20,000

That does not necessarily mean you need an additional $20,000 on top of the complete deposit required by your lender. It may form part of your overall contribution, depending on your loan structure and the timing of the payment.

Confirm this with your lender before paying the builder.

You should also check that:

The builder holds the appropriate Queensland licence
The agreed price and inclusions are clearly documented
Site costs and allowances are explained
The progress-payment schedule matches the work completed
Variations must be approved in writing
The contract explains what happens if construction is delayed
Required insurance and warranty arrangements are in place

Queensland building rules also require progress payments to be proportionate to the work completed. Paying more than required or paying in advance may reduce the protection available under the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme.

Can You Buy a Brisbane House and Land Package With a 5% Deposit?

Eligible first-home buyers may be able to purchase a house and land package through the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme.

From 1 October 2025, the expanded Scheme has offered:

A minimum 5% deposit for eligible first-home buyers
A minimum 2% deposit for eligible single parents or legal guardians
No income caps
No waiting list
No Lenders Mortgage Insurance
Access to new and established homes
Access to house and land packages
Access to vacant land with an eligible building contract

For Brisbane properties, the applicable property price cap is currently $1,000,000. Buyers should confirm the cap for the exact postcode with a participating lender before signing a contract.

General eligibility requirements

A first-home buyer generally needs to:

Be at least 18 years old
Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Be purchasing a home in Australia
Live in the property as an owner-occupier
Apply through a participating lender
Have at least the minimum saved deposit
Purchase at or below the applicable property price cap
Meet the lender’s credit and borrowing requirements
Be a first-home buyer or not have owned a home or land in Australia during the previous 10 years

The government guarantee supports the lender. It is not a cash payment to the buyer, and it does not remove the buyer’s responsibility for the home loan, repayments or other purchasing costs.

The Lender’s Valuation Can Change the Deposit You Need

One of the most important things to understand is that the lender may value the completed property differently from the advertised package price.

Under the 5% Deposit Scheme, the minimum deposit is based on the property value assessed by the participating lender. That value may be lower than the amount you have agreed to pay.

Consider this example:

Combined land and building price: $850,000
Lender’s completed valuation: $825,000
Maximum 95% loan based on valuation: $783,750
Difference between the loan and purchase price: $66,250

In this example, the buyer may need $66,250 before allowing for legal fees, inspections and other purchasing costs.

This is why buyers should obtain finance approval and confirm the lender’s valuation before making an unconditional commitment.

Can the Queensland First Home Owner Grant Help With the Deposit?

The Queensland First Home Owner Grant may provide $30,000 to eligible buyers purchasing or building a qualifying new home.

As of August 2026, the $30,000 amount applies to eligible contracts signed on or after 20 November 2023. The new home must be valued at less than $750,000, including relevant contract variations. Other personal, property and occupancy requirements also apply.

A house and land package may fit within the Brisbane price cap for the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme but still exceed the Queensland grant threshold.

For example:

An $850,000 Brisbane package may be within the federal Scheme’s $1,000,000 Brisbane cap.
The same package would exceed the Queensland First Home Owner Grant’s price threshold of less than $750,000.

The federal Scheme and Queensland grant are separate programs. A buyer may potentially qualify for both, but all eligibility conditions for each program must be satisfied.

Can you use the grant as your contract deposit?

Do not automatically rely on the grant being available when a land or building deposit is due.

Queensland Revenue Office advises that the grant is paid at different times depending on the transaction and how the application is submitted. It recommends that buyers do not rely on the grant for a deposit or another time-sensitive financial obligation. Direct applications to Queensland Revenue Office are generally not paid until the home is complete and all required supporting documents have been supplied.

Ask your lender to confirm in writing:

Whether the grant can be included in your finance structure
When the grant is expected to be paid
How much of your own money is required first
Whether you must demonstrate genuine savings
What happens if variations increase the completed price above $750,000

Do First-Home Buyers Pay Stamp Duty on a New Build in Queensland?

Eligible Queensland first-home buyers may receive a full transfer-duty concession when purchasing a qualifying new home under a contract dated 1 May 2025 or later.

The concession can reduce transfer duty to nil, and there is currently no value cap for the new home and residential land attributed to the home. Eligibility, residency and occupancy conditions apply.

A separate first-home vacant-land concession may apply where an eligible buyer purchases residential vacant land and builds their first home. For qualifying agreements entered into from 1 May 2025, the concession may reduce the duty on residential vacant land to nil without a land-value cap.

The transfer-duty concession is separate from:

Your home-loan deposit
The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme
The Queensland First Home Owner Grant
The builder’s contract deposit

Saving on transfer duty can reduce the total cash required, but it does not remove your contractual or lending obligations.

How Does a Construction Loan Work for a House and Land Package?

A construction loan is generally released progressively rather than being paid as one lump sum.

The land may settle first, after which the construction portion of the loan is released as the builder completes agreed stages.

Common construction stages include:

Slab or base
Frame
Lock-up
Fit-out or fixing
Practical completion

The exact stages, percentages and terminology will depend on your building contract and lender. Major lenders describe construction finance as a progressive-drawdown arrangement in which payments are released as construction stages are completed.

Before authorising a progress payment:

Review the builder’s invoice
Confirm that the relevant stage has been completed
Arrange an independent inspection when appropriate
Check that the amount matches the contract
Confirm that requested variations were approved
Submit the required documents to the lender
Do not pay earlier than the contract requires

Your lender may also arrange an inspection or valuation before releasing a payment.

Unexpected variations, valuation shortages and cost overruns may need to be paid from your own funds, so maintaining a financial buffer is important.

What Other Upfront Costs Should You Budget For?

The advertised package price and percentage deposit may not represent the complete cost of becoming move-in ready.

Depending on the package, you may also need money for:

Conveyancing and legal advice
Loan, valuation or application fees
Independent construction-stage inspections
Soil testing and engineering
Additional site works
Retaining walls
Bushfire, flood or acoustic requirements
Council and utility fees
Electricity, water and internet connections
Driveways, fencing and landscaping
Floor coverings and window coverings
Air conditioning and ceiling fans
Appliances
Lighting upgrades
Building variations
Home and contents insurance
Moving and storage
Rent during construction
A contingency allowance

A full-turnkey package may include many of these items, but inclusions vary.

Ask for a complete inclusions and exclusions schedule rather than relying only on the advertised house and land package price.

Example: Deposit for a $700,000 Brisbane House and Land Package

Consider an eligible first-home buyer purchasing a new Brisbane house and land package for $700,000.

If the lender also values the completed property at $700,000, a minimum 5% deposit would be:

$700,000 × 5% = $35,000

The buyer might also qualify for:

The $30,000 Queensland First Home Owner Grant, subject to all eligibility and timing requirements
The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme
A Queensland first-home transfer-duty concession

However, this does not mean the buyer would necessarily need only $5,000 of their own money.

The grant may not be paid when the contract deposit is due. The lender may require genuine savings, and the buyer may still need funds for legal costs, inspections, finance expenses, excluded building items and a contingency buffer.

A lender or mortgage broker should prepare a personalised funds-to-complete calculation before contracts are signed.

Deposit Checklist Before Signing a Contract

Before purchasing a Brisbane house and land package:

Obtain finance pre-approval that covers both the land and construction components.
Confirm whether the land is registered and ready to settle.
Obtain the complete land and building prices in writing.
Review the inclusions, exclusions, site costs and allowances.
Ask for the amount and due date of every deposit and progress payment.
Have the land and building contracts reviewed independently.
Confirm the lender’s completed-property valuation.
Check government grant and Scheme eligibility directly with the relevant authority or lender.
Request a written funds-to-complete calculation.
Keep additional savings available for variations, delays and unexpected costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a 20% deposit for a house and land package?

Not necessarily. Eligible first-home buyers may be able to purchase through the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme. Other low-deposit home loans may also be available, although Lenders Mortgage Insurance and lender-specific conditions may apply.

A larger deposit can reduce the amount borrowed and may lower repayments, but the appropriate deposit depends on your circumstances.

Is the builder’s 5% deposit additional to the home-loan deposit?

Not automatically. The builder’s deposit may form part of the total contribution you make toward the project.

Your lender must confirm how the payment will be treated and whether you have enough funds to meet the remaining land, construction and purchasing costs.

Can the $30,000 Queensland grant pay my deposit?

It may be included in some finance arrangements, but buyers should not assume it will be available when a contract deposit is due.

Queensland Revenue Office specifically recommends not relying on the grant for a deposit or another time-sensitive obligation because payment timing varies.

How much deposit do you need for an $850,000 house and land package?

A 5% deposit on $850,000 is $42,500, assuming the lender values the property at the full purchase price and the buyer qualifies for the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme.

An $850,000 package would exceed the current price threshold for the Queensland First Home Owner Grant, even though it may remain within the federal Scheme’s Brisbane price cap.

Can unregistered land qualify for the 5% Deposit Scheme?

Potentially, but timing is important. The land must be titled before the government guarantee can be issued.

Confirm the expected registration date, finance-expiry date and Scheme requirements with your participating lender before signing.

Are grants and concessions automatically included in a house and land package?

No. Eligibility depends on the buyer, the property, the contracts, the completed value and the applicable government rules.

The property agent, builder or developer cannot guarantee that you will qualify. Confirmation should come from the relevant government authority, lender and your independent advisers.

Explore Brisbane House and Land Packages

The right house and land package starts with more than choosing a floor plan. Your land, building contract, finance structure, inclusions and deposit timing must all work together.

At Allwood Property Group, we help buyers explore full-turnkey house and land packages across Greater Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Logan and surrounding South East Queensland locations.

Whether you are a first-home buyer, moving into a larger home or looking for a modern low-maintenance property, our team can help you compare available locations, home designs, package prices and inclusions.

Explore our current Brisbane house and land packages, complete our Homebuyer Qualification Form, or contact Allwood Property Group to discuss your property goals.

This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial, taxation, legal, credit or investment advice. Lending requirements, property availability, prices, government grants and concessions are subject to eligibility and change. Obtain independent advice before entering a land contract, building contract or loan agreement.