House and land packages are popular because they let you buy a brand-new home at a fixed price — but the deposit works differently from buying an established house, and plenty of buyers get caught out by the timeline. Here’s how it actually breaks down in Victoria.
The two-contract structure
A house and land package is really two purchases: a contract for the land, and a separate build contract. Each needs its own deposit, and they’re paid at different times:
- Land deposit: typically 10% of the land price at signing — on a $300,000 lot, that’s $30,000.
- Construction deposit: usually 5% of the build contract at signing, then progress payments as each build stage completes.
- Total upfront: often around $40,000–$60,000 for a $700,000 package, depending on the land/build split.
One big advantage over an established purchase: you generally don’t pay stamp duty or start full mortgage repayments until the land settles and construction progresses — which can stretch your cash flow further.
Government help that reduces the deposit
- First Home Owner Grant: $10,000 for eligible new home builds in Victoria, paid at slab stage.
- First Home Guarantee: eligible first home buyers can purchase with as little as 5% deposit without lenders mortgage insurance — from 1 October 2025, places are unlimited and income caps have been removed.
- Stamp duty concessions: Victoria exempts stamp duty on properties up to $600,000, which frees up cash.
Note: these schemes are aimed at first home buyers who will live in the property. Investors typically need 10–20% of the total package price plus purchase costs — though using equity from an existing property can replace a cash deposit entirely.
What packages cost right now
In our current stock, house and land options start in the $590,000–$620,000 range in growth corridors like Clyde North and Beveridge — where a two-part contract also lets you secure today’s price and settle as stages title.
Next step
Every package we list shows its price, contract structure (one-part or two-part) and expected title date. Browse current house and land packages, or book a free strategy call and we’ll map out the exact deposit and timeline for your situation.