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Australia First Home Super Saver Scheme Guide

the Australian First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS). The guide covers: the FHSSS contributions — the 'FHSSS' allows the 'first home buyers' to make the 'voluntary super contributions' (the 'concessional contributions' — the 'salary sacrifice' and the 'personal deductible contributions' — and the 'non-concessional contributions') and 'withdraw' the 'contributions' and the 'deemed earnings' for the 'purchase of the first home'; the 'maximum FHSSS contributions' that can be 'withdrawn' are $15,000 per year (the 'annual cap' on the 'FHSSS contributions') and $50,000 total (the 'total FHSSS contributions cap' — the 'contributions made from the 1 July 2018' can be 'counted toward the $50,000 cap'); the FHSSS contributions must be made through the 'super fund' (the 'superannuation fund' that accepts the 'voluntary contributions'); the FHSSS tax benefits — the 'concessional contributions' (the 'salary sacrifice' and the 'personal deductible contributions') are 'taxed at 15%' in the 'super fund' (instead of the 'marginal tax rate' of up to 47% — the 'FHSSS tax saving'); the 'withdrawn amount' (the 'FHSSS release') includes: (i) the 'concessional contributions' (the 'before-tax contributions') — the 'contributions taxed at 15%', (ii) the 'non-concessional contributions' (the 'after-tax contributions'), (iii) the 'deemed earnings' on the 'contributions' (the 'deemed earnings' calculated at the 'shortfall interest charge rate' — the 'SIC rate' of 4.67% for the 2025-26 year); the 'FHSSS withdrawal' is 'taxed' at the 'marginal tax rate' minus the '30% tax offset' (the 'FHSSS tax offset') — the 'concessional contributions withdrawn' are 'added to the assessable income' for the 'income year' and the '30% tax offset' reduces the 'tax payable'; the 'non-concessional contributions withdrawn' are NOT 'added to the assessable income'; the FHSSS eligibility — the 'applicant' must be the 'first home buyer' (the 'person who has NOT owned the property in Australia in the last 10 years'); the 'applicant' must be the 'Australian resident' (the 'Australian citizen' or the 'Australian permanent resident'); the 'contract to purchase the home' must be 'signed within 12 months' of the 'FHSSS release' (the '12-month period' — the 'FHSSS authority period'); the 'property' must be the 'residential property' (the 'house', the 'unit', the 'apartment', the 'townhouse', or the 'land for the construction of the home') located in Australia; the 'applicant' must 'occupy the property as the home' within the '12 months of the purchase' (the 'occupancy requirement').

FHSSS Contribution Limits

  • $15,000 per year: The 'maximum FHSSS contributions' per 'financial year' is $15,000. The 'contributions' can be the 'concessional' (the 'salary sacrifice' or the 'personal deductible') or the 'non-concessional' contributions.
  • $50,000 total: The 'total FHSSS contributions cap' is $50,000. The 'concessional contributions' and the 'non-concessional contributions' made from the '1 July 2018' count toward the '$50,000 cap'.
  • Super fund choice: The 'FHSSS contributions' can be made to the 'existing super fund' or the 'new super fund' — the 'fund' must be the 'complying super fund' and must 'accept the voluntary contributions'.

For the superannuation contributions and the super caps, see our Superannuation Guide →.

FHSSS Withdrawal & Tax

  • FHSSS release request: The 'applicant' requests the 'FHSSS release' through the 'ATO online services' (the 'myGov' or the 'ATO app'). The 'ATO' issues the 'FHSSS release authority' to the 'super fund'.
  • 30% tax offset: The 'concessional contributions withdrawn' are 'added to the assessable income' and the '30% tax offset' is applied. The 'effective tax' on the 'concessional contributions withdrawn' is the 'marginal tax rate minus 30%'.
  • 12-month contract period: The 'contract to purchase the home' must be 'signed within 12 months' of the 'FHSSS release date'. The 'applicant' can apply for the 'extension' of the '12-month period' in the 'exceptional circumstances'.

For the property purchase and the stamp duty, see our State Stamp Duty & Land Tax Guide →.