First-home buyers are more active right now than at any time in the past six years, led by elevated activity in both Victoria and New South Wales.

“Over the past 12 months, the volume of FHB owner-occupier loans has increased by 11.4%,” says HIA senior economist Shane Garrett.

He says incentives offered by several state governments, including NSW and Victoria, have given the FHB segment a new lease of life.