By Chaice Paterson, CEO & Founder, Low Deposit Homes | Updated June 2026
For Filipino visa holders in Australia in 2026, the first home buyer scheme stack you qualify for depends almost entirely on your visa subclass. Permanent residents on subclass 189, 190, 186 and 187 are treated as equivalent to citizens by every state and federal scheme except Help to Buy — so you qualify for the 5% Deposit Scheme, the QLD $30,000 or VIC $10,000 FHOG (package under $750K), the QLD and VIC stamp duty exemptions, and the First Home Super Saver Scheme. Subclass 482 holders are NOT eligible — transition to PR first. This is the visa detail behind our Filipino first home buyer guide.
Why does your visa subclass matter so much for first home buying?
The schemes distinguish three categories: citizens (every scheme, subject to caps); permanent residents (every scheme except Help to Buy — granted via 189/190/186/187, or after transition from 491 via 191, or partner visa conversion); and temporary residents (generally not eligible — buying requires FIRB approval, full stamp duty, no FHOG/FHSS). The practical implication for Filipino families: if you arrived on 189, 190, 186 or 187, you’ve been eligible since the day PR was granted — you don’t need to wait for citizenship.
Visa-by-visa eligibility map
| Scheme | 189 | 190 | 186 | 187 | 491 | 482 | Partner | Citizen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal 5% Deposit Scheme | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes* | No | Yes** | Yes |
| Family Home Guarantee | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes* | No | Yes** | Yes |
| QLD $30,000 FHOG (under $750K) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes* | No | Yes** | Yes |
| VIC $10,000 FHOG (under $750K) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes* | No | Yes** | Yes |
| QLD FHB stamp duty exemption | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes* | No | Yes** | Yes |
| VIC FHB stamp duty exemption | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes* | No | Yes** | Yes |
| First Home Super Saver Scheme | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes* | No | Yes** | Yes |
| Help to Buy | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
*Subclass 491 scheme access has expanded under recent updates — confirm with a broker. **Partner visa eligibility is typically anchored to the PR or citizen partner’s status.
The permanent residency visas: 189, 190, 186, 187
189 (Skilled Independent) — the most common Filipino professional pathway; PR from grant, no sponsor or location restriction, full stack except Help to Buy. 190 (Skilled Nominated) — same, with a state-nomination/2-year residency expectation that doesn’t affect scheme eligibility. 186 (Employer Nomination) — PR from grant; the 482→186 transition is one of the most consequential financial moments for Filipino professionals, so align your buying timeline to PR grant. 187 (Regional Sponsored) — closed to new applications in 2019, but holders retain PR and full eligibility. Across all four: buy as PR using the 5% Scheme + stamp duty exemption + FHSS — don’t wait for citizenship.
The temporary and provisional visas: 482, 491, partner
482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) — NOT eligible for any FHB scheme; you can buy with FIRB approval and full stamp duty, but the strong play is to transition to PR (usually 186 via your employer, or 189/190) and build payslip history meanwhile. 491 (Skilled Work Regional) — provisional with expanded access (currently treated as eligible for the 5% Scheme); state grant/stamp duty rules vary, and regional caps are lower ($700K QLD, $650K VIC) — confirm with a broker and the state revenue office. Partner visas (309/100, 820/801) — access flows through the citizen/PR partner; once permanent (100/801), full eligibility on your own status.
What happens if my visa status changes during the buying process?
Eligibility is assessed at the time of each scheme action (FHOG application, stamp duty at settlement, FHSS release). If PR grant is imminent (3-6 months), wait — the difference between buying as 482 and as PR is typically $50,000-$80,000. If you’re already PR, don’t wait for citizenship. If you’re on 491 or a bridging visa, confirm eligibility carefully before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Q: I just got my 186 granted — when can I buy?
Immediately for scheme purposes; the constraint is 3-6 months of Australian payslips.
Q: I’m on a 482 — should I wait for PR?
Yes — use the time to build payslips, credit and voluntary super so you can act the moment PR lands.
Q: My husband is a citizen but I’m on a partner visa — what can we access?
A joint application anchored to his status unlocks the 5% Scheme, FHOG, stamp duty exemption and FHSS; Help to Buy needs both to be citizens.
Q: What about subclass 858 (Global Talent)?
It’s a PR visa with the same eligibility as 189/190/186/187 — full stack from day one.
Start your Australian first home buyer journey
Book a free 15-minute consultation — book your free call | 1800 920 172. Check what you qualify for with the free Grant Eligibility Calculator. See also best Brisbane suburbs and best Melbourne suburbs for Filipino families.
Low Deposit Homes operates under Winning Homes Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 633 321 758). All calculations are indicative. We are not migration agents — for visa-specific advice, consult a registered migration agent.