A house and land package is a new home on a block of land, sold together at one advertised price. In Queensland it's usually bought in one of two ways: a single contract for the finished home, or a land contract plus a separate building contract. Which one you sign changes when you pay, what you're protected by, and when the home becomes yours.
This guide walks through both, then the steps from signing to moving in.
Single contract or split contracts?
A single contract means you agree to buy the completed home and land as one purchase. You usually pay a deposit when you sign and the balance at settlement, once the home is finished. Until then the seller carries the building work.
Split contracts mean two agreements:
- a land contract with the land seller, which settles when the land is titled (registered and ready to transfer)
- a building contract with a licensed builder, who then builds on land you already own, with payments made in stages as the work progresses
Our listings show which type each home is. On any property page, look for "Single contract" or "Split contract" under the price.
What a split contract costs, and when
With split contracts you start paying for the home before it's finished, so your lender will usually set the loan up as a construction loan. The payments typically go like this:
- Land deposit when you sign the land contract.
- Land settlement when the lot is titled. This is when your loan starts and you take ownership of the land.
- Building deposit. On a building contract of $20,000 or more, QBCC rules cap the deposit before work starts at 5% of the contract price. It includes the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme premium.
- Progress payments at stages such as base (slab), frame, lock-up and fixing. The QBCC says each claim must relate to work actually done on site and be in proportion to it.
- Final payment at practical completion, when the home is finished and handed over.
Don't pay a progress claim for work that hasn't been done. The QBCC's contract checklist warns owners against paying deposits or progress payments ahead of the work.
Cooling-off periods
Both contracts usually come with a cooling-off period of 5 business days:
- Land contract: the period starts when you receive a copy signed by both parties. If you end the contract in that time, the seller can keep a termination penalty of 0.25% of the price.
- Building contract: the period starts the day after you receive the signed contract and, for contracts of $20,000 or more, the QBCC Consumer Building Guide. Withdrawing usually costs $100 plus the builder's reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
Use the cooling-off days to have a solicitor or conveyancer read both contracts, and to confirm your finance.
From signing to moving in
1. Choose the home and check the numbers
Compare the land size, build size and inclusions, not just the price. Ask what's included in the build price (driveway, fencing, landscaping, window coverings) and what's extra.
2. Get finance pre-approval
Talk to a lender or broker early. A split contract usually needs a construction loan, and the lender will want both contracts and the builder's details.
3. Sign and pay the deposits
Sign the land contract, then the building contract, and use the cooling-off period for legal checks.
4. Land titles and settles
New estates often sell land before it's titled, so this step can take months. The contract will give an expected date.
5. Construction
Once the builder has approvals, work starts and progress claims follow. You can book an independent building inspector for key stages.
6. Practical completion and handover
Do a final inspection, list any defects in writing, pay the final claim and collect the keys. Our guide to handover and defects in Queensland covers this step.
Is a house and land package right for you?
House and land suits buyers who want a brand-new home, are happy to wait for it to be built, and want to choose the area. First home buyers can often get extra help on new homes in Queensland, such as the First Home Owner Grant and the first home transfer duty concessions. Investors look at new builds for their low maintenance and the depreciation they can claim.
You can browse every package we have by area, including growth areas south of Brisbane such as Logan Reserve, Park Ridge and Yarrabilba.
Common questions
Is a house and land package one contract or two?
It can be either. Some packages are sold on a single contract for the finished home. Many are split into a land contract with the developer and a separate building contract with the builder. The listing or the contract will say which.
How much deposit does a builder ask for in Queensland?
Under QBCC rules, the maximum deposit before work starts on a building contract of $20,000 or more is 5% of the contract price. The land contract has its own deposit, set in that contract.
Can I cancel a house and land contract after signing?
Queensland gives buyers a 5 business day cooling-off period on residential land contracts and on most domestic building contracts. Withdrawing costs money: 0.25% of the price on a land contract, and $100 plus reasonable expenses on a building contract.
This article is general information only, current at 30/10/2026. It isn't financial, tax or legal advice. Rules and amounts change, so check the official sources below and speak to a licensed professional about your situation.
