What Nepali First Home Buyers Need to Know Before Buying in Adelaide

Why this matters to Adelaide's Nepali community

The 2021 Census recorded 7,055 Greater Adelaide residents born in Nepal. For many Nepali families, the first challenge is not only choosing a property but understanding which deposit, grant and loan pathways actually apply to their residency status and purchase type.

1. Work out your borrowing position before choosing a property

Your real starting point is the amount a lender is prepared to lend after reviewing income, living expenses, debts, credit history, deposit and the property itself. Before making offers, understand your usable deposit, likely borrowing capacity and a repayment level that remains comfortable after settlement.

Start preparing these documents

• recent payslips and employment details;
• bank statements showing savings and spending history;
• credit card, car loan and personal loan details;
• identification and residency or visa documents;
• evidence of other income where relevant; and
• your expected purchase price and preferred Adelaide suburbs.

2. South Australia's First Home Owner Grant: up to $15,000

RevenueSA currently provides a one-off grant of up to $15,000 for eligible first home buyers purchasing or building a new residential property that will become their principal place of residence.

For contracts signed on or after 6 June 2024, RevenueSA states that no property value cap applies. The grant covers qualifying new homes, off-the-plan apartments, substantially renovated homes and eligible build arrangements; it is not a standard grant for an established-home purchase.

3. Full stamp duty relief may apply to eligible new-home buyers

RevenueSA states that eligible first home buyers can receive stamp duty relief for new homes, off-the-plan apartments and vacant land intended for a new principal residence. For contracts entered into on or after 13 February 2025, full stamp duty relief is available regardless of property value.

The important limitation is that established homes are not eligible for this South Australian first home buyer stamp duty relief.

4. The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme can apply in Adelaide

The expanded scheme commenced on 1 October 2025. Eligible first home buyers can purchase with a minimum 5% deposit without Lenders Mortgage Insurance. The current scheme has no income caps, unlimited places and no waitlist.

The current South Australian capital-city price cap is $900,000. Both the purchase price and the lender-assessed property value must be at or below the applicable cap. Eligible applicants generally need to be Australian citizens or permanent residents aged at least 18 and live in the property as owner-occupiers.

5. HomeStart offers additional low-deposit pathways

HomeStart, backed by the South Australian Government, currently advertises several low-deposit products. These are not automatically the cheapest choice for every borrower, so rates, fees and long-term cost still need to be compared.

6. Citizenship, permanent residency and visa status can change your options

For RevenueSA's grant and stamp duty relief, at least one applicant must generally be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen permanently residing in Australia. Prior property ownership by an applicant or spouse/domestic partner can affect eligibility.

The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme is available to eligible Australian citizens and permanent residents. HomeStart's Low Deposit Loan page also says eligible applicants may include people holding a skilled migrant visa, subject to its other criteria.

If you are a temporary resident or another visa holder, do not assume a government first home buyer concession applies simply because a lender is willing to consider your home loan.

7. The deposit is not your only upfront cost

Budget for conveyancing, inspections, lender or valuation fees, moving costs, insurance, settlement adjustments and a cash buffer. Apartment or townhouse buyers should also review strata or community-title fees and any special levies. Builders should allow for site works, variations and timing between land settlement and progress payments.

8. A 10+ year broker's checklist before signing a contract

How LoanFi supports Adelaide buyers

LoanFi is Canberra-based and does not represent an Adelaide physical office. Adelaide clients are supported through phone and online consultations. Subodh can explain first home buyer concepts in Nepali, Hindi, English and Urdu and help eligible clients compare suitable options from LoanFi's available lender panel.