By Jason Given · 2026-08-14 · 6 min read
Separation often means one partner needs to buy their own home for the first time. It is one of the most common situations we see at Lendology - someone who owned property jointly with their ex-partner, who now needs to start again in their own name.
If you owned property jointly, your eligibility for first home buyer schemes depends on your specific circumstances. The rules are not always intuitive. Some people who owned jointly DO qualify for certain schemes, while others who never lived in the property they co-owned do not.
The good news is that there are multiple government schemes available, and some have specific provisions for separated applicants. The key is understanding which ones apply to your situation - and that is where most people get stuck.
Lendology specialises in separation finance and helps clients work through these rules every week. Here is what you need to know.
The $15,000 First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in South Australia is available to people who have never owned residential property in Australia. That is the fundamental eligibility rule - and it is where most separated applicants hit a wall.
Joint ownership with an ex-partner generally disqualifies you from the FHOG - even if you never lived in the property. If your name was on the title at any point, RevenueSA considers you to have owned residential property.
There is a narrow exception: if you owned property but it was only ever occupied by your ex-partner (not you), some states allow eligibility. However, SA rules are strict on this point, and it is not something to assume.
The bottom line: most separated people who previously owned jointly will NOT qualify for the FHOG. But that does not mean you are out of options - other schemes may still be available, and some are specifically designed for your situation.
The federal First Home Guarantee (formerly the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme) is the scheme that most separated applicants miss - and it is often the most valuable one available.
Unlike the FHOG, the First Home Guarantee has a specific provision for separated and divorced applicants. Even if you previously owned property with your ex-partner, you may be eligible if you do not currently own residential property. This is one of the most underused provisions in the scheme.
The First Home Guarantee allows you to buy with just 5% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). The government guarantees up to 15% of the property value, which means you avoid the LMI cost that would otherwise apply - typically $8,000 to $15,000 on an average Adelaide purchase.
Income caps apply: $125,000 for singles and $200,000 for couples. The property price cap in Adelaide is $600,000 (check current limits as these change). Limited places are available each financial year, so timing matters.
Lendology manages the application process and can check your eligibility before you start looking.
The Family Home Guarantee is specifically designed for single parents - including people who have recently separated. And unlike the other schemes on this page, you do NOT need to be a first home buyer to use it. You can have owned property before.
Under this scheme, eligible single parents can buy with as little as 2% deposit and no LMI. The government guarantees up to 18% of the property value. For a $500,000 home, that means you could buy with just $10,000 saved - instead of needing $100,000 for a standard 20% deposit.
To be eligible, you must have at least one dependent child and meet the income cap of $125,000 (single). You must not currently own property (though you can have owned in the past).
This is one of the most underused government schemes in Australia. Many separated parents do not know it exists. Lendology has helped multiple separated clients access this scheme and buy stable housing for their families.
First home buyer stamp duty concessions in SA generally require that you have not previously held an interest in residential property. If you owned jointly with your ex-partner, you likely will not qualify for the FHB stamp duty concession on your next purchase.
However, there is an important exemption that many people miss: property transfers between separating parties under Consent Orders are exempt from stamp duty. This means if you are keeping the family home and buying out your ex-partner's share, the transfer itself does not attract stamp duty.
This exemption can save $20,000 to $35,000 depending on the property value - a significant amount that goes directly toward your financial recovery after separation.
If you are buying a new property (rather than keeping the existing one), standard stamp duty will apply. Use our stamp duty calculator to estimate the cost, and read more about your options on our separation finance page.
After separation, most lenders assess you on your income alone. This is one of the biggest adjustments - going from a dual-income borrowing capacity to a single-income one.
The good news is that child support received can be included as income by most lenders, and it is typically accepted at 100% of the amount. This can meaningfully increase your borrowing capacity. On the other side, child support paid is deducted from your borrowing capacity.
Every lender treats child support and single income differently. Some are more generous with how they assess government payments, overtime, or casual income. Lendology assesses your borrowing capacity across 60+ lenders to find the one that gives you the best position.
For more detail on buying on a single income, read our guide: Can I buy a house on a single income in Adelaide?
Lendology specialises in separation finance. Every conversation is confidential. We help separated clients buy their first home in their own name every week. Book a confidential chat.
It depends on your ownership history. In South Australia, you cannot claim the FHOG if you have previously owned residential property in Australia - even as a joint owner. However, if you owned property with your spouse but it was sold as part of the settlement and you are now buying a new build in your sole name for the first time, the rules can be complex. Lendology recommends checking with RevenueSA directly, as individual circumstances vary.
The First Home Guarantee (formerly First Home Loan Deposit Scheme) has a specific provision for separated and divorced applicants. Even if you previously owned a property with your ex-partner, you may be eligible if you do not currently own property and meet the income and property price caps. This is one of the most underused provisions in the scheme.
First home buyer stamp duty concessions in SA require that you have not previously held an interest in residential property. If you owned jointly with your ex-partner, you may not qualify for the first home buyer concession. However, property transfers between separating parties under Consent Orders are exempt from stamp duty. Speak to your conveyancer about your specific situation.
The Family Home Guarantee allows eligible single parents (including separated parents) to buy with as little as 2% deposit and no LMI. You do not need to be a first home buyer to use this scheme - it is specifically designed for single parents who need to provide stable housing for their children. Lendology manages the application process.
Ready to explore your options?
Book a confidential chat with Jason or Steve. We will check your eligibility for every scheme and calculate your borrowing capacity on a single income.