Benefit Stacking for Nurses 

Not as tasty as pancake stacks but more helpful 

This post is mostly for first home buyers, but if you re not, there is an important benefit.

If you’re a nurse thinking about buying your first home, here’s the good news: you’ve got access to a bunch of potential benefits you can take advantage of. What many don’t realise is that can be combined or “stacked”, saving you $$ tens of thousands $$. 

It’s not one or the other. These schemes can work together, helping you buy sooner, with less stress and large savings. 

Let’s go through what’s potentially available and how it might work for you. 

1. Federal Government Benefits 

✅ First Home Guarantee (FHG) – one of my faves. 

• Buy with just a 5% deposit. 

• No Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). With a 5% deposit this would normally be over $20,000. 

✅ Help to Buy Scheme – read the small print here – it’s not as attractive as it’s marketed as.  

• Currently these are being run by the States but the Federal government plans to centralise them. 

• A shared equity model where the government may contribute up to 30–40% of the purchase price. 

• You only need a 2% deposit in some cases. 

• You own and live in the home—then repay the government’s share when you sell or refinance. 

2. State Government Benefits 

Each state has its own rules, but here are the key ones most nurses can tap into: 

✅ Stamp Duty Exemptions or Discounts – the unsung hero: the biggest saving of all… 

• Most States wive stamp duty for first home buyers buying up to a a cap  price, in NSW it is up to $800,000 and have part incentives for a range above that. 

• I won’t go into each State cap here but importantly; it applies to both new and established properties in most cases.  

• Saving of $30,000+ are common.  

✅ First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) 

• This is a Government contribution for new properties only.  

• Ranges from $10,000 to $15,000 in most states and banks consider this in their deposit. 

• QLD is currently the standout with a $30,000 grant available until June 2026. 

🎯 You can use the FHOG as part of your deposit and still apply for other federal and lender benefits. 

3. Lender Benefits (Especially for Nurses) 

Many lenders offer special treatment for nurses—yes, really. 

✅ LMI Waivers for Registered Nurses 

• If you’re a registered nurse with at least 10% deposit, some banks will waive LMI entirely—saving you up to $25,000. 

• Your pre-tax earnings need to be over $90,000 in most cases.  

✅ Flexible Income Recognition 

• Lenders are starting to understand that nurses don’t always fit a 9–5 mould: 

• Casual, agency, or contract income? ✅ 

• Multiple hospital sites or salary packaging? ✅ 

💡 This can make a huge difference in how much you can borrow. 

4. Broker Benefits – Bringing It All Together 

Now here’s where I come in. 

While brokers don’t offer cash handouts, the real benefit is in matching you to the best combo of all the above—based on your unique situation. 

• If deposit is your challenge, we focus on schemes with lower deposit requirements and LMI waivers. 

• If borrowing capacity is tight, we look for lenders who understand how nurses earn—and maximise your income. 

• If you’re buying with a partner, we help structure things so you both benefit from the available grants and exemptions. 

⚡ It’s all about stacking the right mix—not just grabbing whatever sounds best or what your bank says (most don’t offer all these benefits and certainly won’t advise on competitors offer. 

Final Thoughts 

You’re not expected to figure all of this out on your own—and you shouldn’t have to. 

As a nurse, you do one of the most important jobs in the country.  

You deserve a home that gives you stability, pride, and peace of mind. With the right advice, you can get there—faster and smarter. 

That’s why our core belief is “every nurse can, and should, own their own home”. 

If you want to explore what you’re eligible for and how to make it all work together, we put tighter a plan for you, laying it all out clearly.