First Home Buyers: How the October 2025 Changes Affect You in Rockhampton

If you’ve been saving for a home in Rockhampton but feeling like your deposit is growing slower than property prices, I’ve got some genuinely exciting news for you.

On October 1st, 2025, the Australian Government made the biggest changes to the Home Guarantee Scheme since it launched. In my 25+ years as a mortgage broker here in Rockhampton, I’ve seen plenty of government schemes come and go, but what happened on October 1st is different.

The removal of place limits, the scrapping of income caps, and the increase in property price limits have fundamentally changed the playing field for first home buyers. Let me break down exactly what this means for you.

1. Unlimited Places (No More Missing Out)

Before: The scheme had a cap of around 40,000 places per year. If those spots filled up, you’d miss out completely.

Now: There’s no limit. Every eligible first home buyer can access the scheme.

What this means: You won’t miss out simply because the quota filled up. If you’re eligible and your lender approves you, you’re in.

2. No Income Caps (Open to Everyone)

Before: Strict income limits of $125,000 for individuals and $200,000 for couples meant high earners were disqualified.

Now: Income caps have been completely removed. Whether you earn $60,000 or $160,000, your income alone won’t disqualify you.

What this means: Hardworking professionals who’ve been diligently saving can now benefit from the 5% deposit option.

3. Higher Property Price Caps

Before: Regional Queensland had a $550,000 cap.

Now: The cap has increased to $700,000 

What this means for Rocky: With our median house price sitting around $420,000 to $512,000, virtually every property you’re interested in falls well under the cap.

What This Means for Rockhampton Buyers

Let me give you a real example. Meet Sarah (not her real name, but based on an actual client):

Sarah’s Situation:

• 28 years old, registered nurse earning $85,000
• Saved $25,000 (5.5% deposit)
• Looking at a 3-bedroom home in North Rockhampton for $450,000

Under the old system: She’d need a $90,000 deposit (20%) to avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance—another 5-7 years of saving.

Under the NEW scheme:

• Can purchase with just $22,500 (5% deposit)
• Saves approximately $18,000 in LMI
• Can enter the market NOW instead of 2030-2032

That’s the difference between building equity in your twenties versus your mid-thirties.

The Rockhampton Advantage

Our current market creates a perfect opportunity:

• Median house price: $420,000-$512,000
• Recent quarterly growth: 9.2% (leading regional QLD)
• Property price cap: $700,000 (covers virtually everything)
• Still genuinely affordable compared to Brisbane/Gold Coast

What excites me most is seeing first home buyers who were stuck on the sidelines suddenly having a real pathway to homeownership.

How the Home Guarantee Scheme Works

The scheme isn’t a grant—the government guarantees a portion of your loan (up to 15%) to your lender. This means your lender accepts a smaller deposit (5%) without charging you Lenders Mortgage Insurance.

Real Rockhampton Example ($450,000 home):

• Your deposit (5%): $22,500
• Your loan: $427,500
• Government guarantee: ~$67,500 (protects the lender)
• LMI you save: $15,000-$20,000

You’re still 100% responsible for repaying the loan. The guarantee just allows you to buy with less upfront cash.

What You Need to Qualify:

• Genuine savings for deposit
• Stable income/employment
• Good credit history
• Pass serviceability tests
• Australian citizen or permanent resident
• Never owned property before
• Property must be owner-occupied

Your Step-by-Step Action Plan

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility Confirm you’ve never owned property and meet the basic criteria. A quick conversation with me can tell you everything you need to know.

Step 2: Understand Your Borrowing Power. Don’t borrow the absolute maximum. Factor in your income, expenses, existing debts, and potential rate rises. Budget conservatively.

Step 3: Get Pre-Approval. Get conditional approval before house hunting. You’ll know your budget, you’re a serious buyer, and you can act quickly. Pre-approval typically takes a couple of days.

Step 4: Find Your Home. Stay within budget, focus on properties under $700,000 (easy in Rocky!), and don’t skip building and pest inspections.

Step 5: Finalise Purchase. Make an offer with a finance clause, complete inspections, get final approval (2-3 weeks), and settle (another 2 weeks).

Timeline: From first conversation to keys in hand, you’re typically looking at 1-2 months.

Common Questions I’m Getting

What to Watch Out For

Higher Borrowing = Higher Risk: With 95% borrowing, you have little equity buffer. Only buy if you’re committed to holding 5-7+ years.

Interest Rate Changes: Rates will change over your 30-year loan. Always budget for potential increases. If you can only just afford repayments now, a 1-2% increase could cause serious stress.

Increased Competition: More buyers can now access the scheme. Get pre-approved and be ready to act quickly on good properties.

Not All Lenders Participate: There are 30+ participating lenders, but not all banks. Working with a broker gives you access to all options.

The Rockhampton Market Right Now

Current snapshot:

• Median: $420,000-$512,000
• Growth: 9.2% quarterly
• Days on market: ~20 days
• Condition: Moderately competitive

Why now might be your time:

• The scheme changes have opened doors
• Rocky offers genuine value and growth potential
• Time in the market beats timing the market
• Waiting often means buying the same house for more money later

The Opportunity Is Real—And It’s Now

In my 25+ years doing this, these October 2025 changes are the most significant I’ve seen. Removing place limits and income caps means no more arbitrary disappointments—if you’re eligible and can afford it, you can access it.

But opportunities like this don’t last forever. Government policies change. Markets shift. I’ve had countless conversations with people who said “I’ll wait until…” and many are still renting, still waiting, still watching prices climb.

If you’re eligible, if you can afford the repayments, if you’re ready to stop paying rent and start building equity—now is your time.

Let’s Have a Conversation

The October 2025 changes have created a genuine pathway for Rockhampton first home buyers. Whether you’ve saved $20,000 or $50,000, whether you earn $60,000 or $160,000, there’s likely an option for you now.

I’m John MacMaster, and I’ve been helping Rockhampton locals navigate home loans and business loans since 1998. I can tell you in one honest conversation whether you’re ready to buy, or what you need to do to get there.

There’s no cost, no obligation, no pressure. I don’t get paid unless you successfully get a loan, which means I’m motivated to help if it genuinely makes sense for you.

We can meet at my office, I can come to you, or we can start with a phone call—whatever works best.

Your home is out there. Let’s work together to make it yours.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Information is current as of September 2025 but may change. Seek professional advice specific to your circumstances before making property decisions.