Two major Northern Territory housing grants that have helped hundreds of buyers build or purchase new homes have been extended for another year, offering continued support to first-home buyers and existing homeowners.
This extension comes as the national housing crisis deepens, with rising property prices and a widening affordability gap prompting ongoing incentives from state and territory governments to support buyers.
Initially set to expire on September 30, the HomeGrown Territory and FreshStart New Home grants have now been extended until Sept. 30, 2026.
Launched in October 2024, the HomeGrown Territory grant provides $50,000 for first-home buyers, while the FreshStart grant gives $30,000 to existing homeowners, provided they build or purchase a new home.
Both schemes are also open to owner-builders and buyers of off-the-plan properties, realestate.com.au reported.
According to the NT government, over $7.2 million in grants have already been paid out to 479 recipients, including 55 receiving the $50,000 grant and 11 receiving the $30,000 grant.
Another 118 applications have been approved and are pending payment.
However, a separate $10,000 grant for buying an established home — which supported 399 applicants — will still end on Sept. 30 as originally planned.
NT Treasurer Bill Yan said the grants are already making an impact.
“Building approvals are up 48.6% over the year to March, the second strongest growth in the nation, and much of that can be attributed to the success of these grants,” he said.
“We expect to see this flow through to construction activity in the coming months.”
Nationally, building approvals have remained volatile, with demand concentrated in new-build hotspots and outer-ring areas. The NT’s positive trend bucks the broader slowdown seen in other parts of the country, particularly in the face of construction cost pressures.
The extension has been welcomed by building industry groups, who say it will support local jobs and economic growth.
“Master Builders NT welcomes the extension of the homebuilder grants that will further encourage new home builds and provide a wider impact in relation to supporting local builders, providing local jobs and more broadly population growth,” said Neil Sunners, Master Builders NT president.
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) also supported the move, linking the grants to housing affordability improvements in the Territory, realestate.com.au reported.
“Access to secure, affordable housing in the NT is an ongoing challenge for families and first homeowners and these grants serve to address the rising cost of housing in the top end,” said Luis Espinoza, HIA executive director.
“The HomeGrown Territory grants are an important initiative by the NT government which will bolster home building activity, supporting local building, trade and supply businesses after several challenging years.”
Espinoza also urged the government to take additional steps to improve housing access.
“In addition to the HomeGrown Territory grants, HIA calls on government to ensure it is removing all barriers to home ownership, including cutting red tape and taxation on housing, supporting skills and workforce development, as well as addressing known challenges with the Fidelity Fund NT,” he said.
“These and other forms of housing incentive programs are critical to boost housing supply and homeownership rates to support first-home buyers, as well as existing homeowners, to build a life in NT.”
National data suggests housing affordability has worsened significantly in 2025, with recent research showing it now takes the equivalent of eight years’ salary to afford a typical home, up from six years just a decade ago.
These conditions have made grants and first-home incentives more crucial than ever, particularly in lower-density markets like the NT.
