February 2026 column by State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin MP.
HELPING first home buyers is a critical piece of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to address cost of living pressures.
New data shows that since July 2023, 880 first home buyers in the Lismore electorate have been given a helping hand by the Minns Government, saving an average of around $18,000 on the cost of their first home.
The program provides a full stamp duty exemption of $30,412 for first home buyers purchasing a property up to $800,000 and a concession for homes priced between $800,000 and $1 million.
It replaces the previous Liberal-National Government’s forever tax on first-home buyers, which left first home buyers paying an annual tax back to the Government.
The scheme also works with the Albanese Labor Government’s 5% Deposit and Shared Equity schemes, making it even easier for people and families to buy their first home.
Housing is the number one cost-of-living pressure on young people, families and downsizers. That’s why the Government is delivering more homes to rent and buy and providing long overdue investment in critical infrastructure.
More information about First Home Buyers Assistance is available at www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/grants-schemes/assistance-scheme
Check for unclaimed funds
And on the topic of saving money,There is currently more than $300 million sitting in the state’s pool of unclaimed money with $3million waiting to be claimed by families, workers and businesses in the Lismore electorate.
I encourage you to check if there is any with your name on it.
Unclaimed money can come from all sorts of places—overpayments, uncashed cheques, forgotten refunds, dividends, or accounts where contact details were never updated.
Locals can search the online register at Revenue NSW – Unclaimed Money. If something pops up, it’s just a matter of submitting ID and proof of connection, with most claims processed within a month.
