The top three off the plan apartments that trigger Queensland's new $30k first home buyer grant

The top three off the plan apartments that trigger Queensland's new $30k first home buyer grant
Habitat's St Clair apartments in Birtinya. Image supplied
Joel Robinson January 21, 2024FIRST HOME BUYER

Last year the Queensland Government increased its support for first-home buyers in Queensland, doubling the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) from $15,000 to $30,000 for eligible first home buyers.

The move saw Queensland FHOG became the highest first home owner grant in Australia.

The FHOG grant in Queensland however only applies to units less than $750,000.

The government estimates that this increase in the grant will assist around 12,000 buyers in acquiring their first homes by the time the boost expires on 30 June 2025. 

We've looked at the best off the plan apartments in Queensland where first home buyers can secure the $30,000 FHOG.

Project: St Clair Birtinya

Price: Two-bedroom from $749,000

Developer: Habitat Development Group

Sunshine Coast developer Habitat's recently launched St Clair in Birtinya offers FHOG-eligible two-bedroom apartments starting at $749,900, with only limited units remaining for the 113 sqm two-bedder. 

Designed by KArchitecture, the $150 million development, on two side-by-side blocks on Waterfront Retreat, will comprise two eight-level residential towers with 200 two, three and four-bedroom apartments.

There will be a maximum of 13 apartments on each level. Some of the large penthouse apartments will have over 50 sqm of outdoor space, while a handful of courtyard apartments will have around 90 metres of gardens.

Crowning St Clair is a communal rooftop terrace enveloped by lush subtropical landscaping with an outdoor kitchen and BBQ facilities. The rooftop deck faces Bokarina Beach towards the east, while the lounge overlooks the hinterland to the west.

A 25-metre resort-style lap pool is on the ground level, featuring a five-metre shallow wading entry adjacent to a BBQ pavilion. A residents' 16-seat dining room with a private outdoor terrace complements the pool for social gatherings. 

There's also a 1,000 sqm of exclusive resident parklands with barbecue facilities and a firepit area. 

St Clair is in the heart of the Sunshine Coast's Health Precinct and less than a five-minute drive from Stockland Birtinya Shopping Centre and Bokarina Beach. 

The development is under construction by Habitat Construction Group, with estimated completion in Q1 of 2026.

Project: Murcia Residences, East Brisbane

Price: One-bedroom apartments from $695,000

Developer: Sarazin

Prominent Woolloongabba developer Sarazin's Murcia Residences is offering one-bedroom apartments starting at $685,000, eligible for QLD's double FHOG scheme.

Located only 500m from the new Cross River Rail and 2032 Games precinct, the HAL Architects-designed Murcia comprises 187 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, all designed to offer spacious and open-plan living. 

The one-bedroom units feature large floor-to-ceiling glass windows and up to three metres of ceiling to allow plenty of natural light to flood in, combined with the generous proportions of the living spaces that extend to the balcony.

The kitchens will be well-appointed with a choice of sophisticated Miele or ILVE kitchen appliances including an integrated dishwasher, oven and cooktop.

Crowning the development will be a suite of residential amenities, including an infinity pool, accompanied by private poolside cabanas and sun lounges.

Just steps away from the pool will lie the unique wellness centre, where residents can benefit from chilled and heated magnesium plunge pools, a steam room and a sauna, as well as alfresco private dining and barbecue facilities. 

Completion of Murcia Residences is slated for March 2026.

Project: Andiamo Apartments, Hope Island

Prices: Two-bedroom apartment from $544,488

Developer: Robert Laybutt

Developer Robert Laybutt is offering some of the most affordable apartments on Hope Island at Andiamo Apartments.

They have two-bedroom apartments range between $544,488 and $700,816, before the $30,000 Government assistance.

Andiamo had already been a hit with local first home buyers even before the increase in the QLD FHOG was announced.

Andiamo Apartments comprises 76 apartments centred around a resort-style pool on Broadwater Avenue.

First home buyers have also been attracted to the low body corp, just $70 a week, despite the swimming pool, barbecue area, multi-purpose room and access to lifts.

Joel Robinson

Joel Robinson is the Editor in Chief at Urban.com.au, managing Urban's editorial team and creating the largest news cycle for the off the plan property market in the country. Joel has been writing about residential real estate for nearly a decade, following a degree in Business Management with a major in Journalism at Leeds Beckett University in England. He specializes in off the plan apartments, and has a particular interest in the development application process for new projects.

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