What is the First Home Owners Grant?
First introduced by the Federal Government in 2000, the First Home Owners Grant is a one-off payment that can help first home buyers with the cost of getting into the property market and paying for a home loan.
However, the First Home Owners Grant is administered at the state level, meaning that the amount you can get and the eligibility requirements you need to meet are different depending on where you live.
It’s just one of many home loan grants and schemes available to Australians in 2024.
Who is eligible for the First Home Owners Grant?
As the First Home Owners Grant is funded and run separately by each state government, eligibility requirements, such as the caps on new home values, can change depending on where you live.
However, some of the common threads between the FHOG in each Australian state or territory include:
- At least one applicant must be a permanent resident or Australian citizen
- You must not have owned or co-owned a home in Australia
- You must not have received a First Home Owners Grant in Australia before
- You must buy the home to live in for at least six months
- You must be at least 18 years old.
Is the First Home Owners Grant only for new homes?
The First Home Owners Grant is only available for new homes, meaning existing homes i.e. those that have been lived in previously, are not eligible for the grant.
In some circumstances, established homes are eligible for the grant, but this is usually only if significant renovations have taken place.
How much is the First Home Owners Grant?
The amount you get for the First Home Owner Grant depends on the state you are buying in, and its own eligibility requirements.
How much is the First Home Owners Grant in Queensland?
The Queensland First Home Owners Grant is worth $15,000 to $30,000.
How much is the First Home Owners Grant in SA?
The SA First Home Owners Grant is worth $15,000.
How much is the First Home Owners Grant in Victoria?
The Victoria First Home Owners Grant is worth $10,000.
How much is the First Home Owners Grant in NSW?
The NSW First Home Owners Grant is worth $10,000.
How much is the First Home Owners Grant in WA?
The WA First Home Owners Grant is worth $10,000.
How much is the First Home Owners Grant in Tasmania?
The Tasmania First Home Owners Grant is worth $10,000.
How much is the First Home Owners Grant in the NT?
The NT First Home Owners Grant is worth $10,000.
How much is the First Home Owners Grant in the ACT?
The First Home Owners Grant in the ACT has been replaced by the Homebuyer Concession Scheme.
How do you apply for the First Home Owners Grant?
There are two ways to apply for the First Home Owners Grant.
You can apply through your state or territory government’s Revenue Office or Services website, or you can ask your home loan lender to lodge the application on your behalf.
When do you apply for the First Home Owners Grant?
You can apply for the First Home Owners Grant at the same time that you apply for your home loan. Otherwise, you typically have 12 months from the settlement date to apply.
When does the First Home Owners Grant get paid?
Each state and territory has different rules regarding when the Grant is paid. Generally, the grant is paid on the settlement date for new, substantially renovated, or off-the-plan homes, or if you’re building a new home, the grant is paid to the builder with your first progress payment.
If you're ready to apply for the First Home Owners Grant, but haven't yet decided on which home loan to get, compare the latest first home buyer loans on Mozo to see if you can find a competitive loan that fits your needs. If you're not sure what to look out for, Mozo also has a range of helpful first time buyer guides that can point you in the right direction.
FAQs
Are permanent residents eligible for the First Home Owners Grant?
First home buyers who hold permanent residency in Australia are eligible for the First Home Owners Grant, as long as they are permanent residents at the time of applying.
Are New Zealand citizens eligible for the First Home Owners Grant?
If you’re a citizen of New Zealand living in Australia on a Subclass 444 visa and meet the requirements, you should be eligible for the First Home Owners Grant.
Which supporting documents will I need?
When applying for the FHOG, you will need to provide proof of identity. This might include:
- Australian birth certificate
- Australian passport
- Australian citizenship certificate
- Foreign passport and current Australian Visa (if born overseas)
- Australian driver’s licence or proof of age card
- Medicare card, car registration, or debit/credit card
- Utility bill, bank statement, or insurance policy (for evidence of residential address).
Supporting documents for contract to purchase a new or off-the-plan home
If you’re buying a new home, including off-the-plan, manufactured and kit homes, you might be asked to provide the following documents:
- A copy of the contract for sale of land, signed and dated by the vendor and applicants.
- A statement from the seller (or their legal representative) confirming the home has not been previously occupied since completion of construction.
- A registration confirmation statement or current title search showing the applicants are the registered owners.
- A final inspection certificate issued by the local council or private building certifier.
Supporting documents for substantially renovated homes
If you are purchasing a home that has been substantially renovated, you might have to attach the following documents to your application:
- A copy of the contract signed and dated by the vendor and applicants.
- A statement from the seller (or their legal representative) confirming the home has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence since it was renovated.
- A registration confirmation statement or current title search showing the applicants are the registered owners.
- A final inspection certificate issued by the local council or private building certifier.
- A statement from the seller confirming that the sale is a taxable supply under the GST Act and was in the course of the seller’s enterprise.
Supporting documents for a contract to build a home
If you are arranging for the construction of a new home, you might have to provide the following documents:
- A copy of the contract to build, signed and dated by the builder and applicants.
- A registration confirmation statement or current title search showing the applicants are the registered owners.
- A final statement/invoice from the builder.
- A copy of the occupation certificate or a final inspection certificate, issued by your local council or private building certifier.
- A copy of a current valuation by a qualified valuer, or a copy of a current stamped contract or transfer for the purchase of the land.
Supporting documents for an owner-builder
If you are building the home yourself, you might have to provide the following documents:
- A copy of council approval for laying the foundations or receipt for the foundations.
- A registration confirmation statement or current title search showing the applicants are the registered owners.
- A copy of the occupation certificate or a final inspection certificate.
- A detailed list of building costs.
- Copies of receipts equal to the grant amount
- Evidence of the value of the land on the date construction commences.
- An independent third-party valuation or market appraisal of total value of the property (house and land) once construction is complete.
- A final inspection certificate issued by the local council or private building certifier.
Can you get the First Home Owners Grant twice?
You can only get the First Home Owners Grant once, as the eligibility criteria requires that neither you, nor your spouse, has received a First Home Owners Grant in Australia before.
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