The Federal Government’s long-awaited Help to Buy scheme is now live, aiming to support up to 40,000 Australians over the next four years into home ownership. While the initiative is focused on owner-occupiers, it carries important implications for anyone thinking about their long-term wealth strategy.

Under the scheme, the federal government can contribute up to 40% of the purchase price for new homes or 30% for existing properties, allowing eligible buyers to enter the market with deposits as low as 2%, without paying lenders mortgage insurance.

From a wealth creation perspective, this matters for two key reasons.

First, programs like Help to Buy tend to increase demand at the lower end of the market, particularly in more affordable suburbs where price caps are more easily met. Over time, increased demand can place upward pressure on prices — especially in markets already constrained by supply.

Second, while the scheme is not an investment product, it can act as a stepping stone. For many Australians, securing a first property earlier can accelerate their wealth journey, creating equity that may later support future investment strategies — provided it’s planned correctly.

However, access to the scheme isn’t uniform. Although the federal program is open, it relies on state and territory enabling legislation. At present, Western Australia and Tasmania have not implemented the required legislation, limiting buyer access in those states.

As always, the key takeaway is this:
Government incentives can help you enter the market — but strategy determines what you do next.

At Infinite Wealth, we focus on educating clients on how today’s decisions can support tomorrow’s outcomes, ensuring first steps don’t become long-term limitations.