The First Home Buyers Grant Explained

Buying your first home is not only a significant milestone but is also typically a very expensive exercise. When you’re looking to buy your first property, any extra financial assistance can make a big difference. If you’re in the market for your first home, you might benefit from one of the First Home Owner Grants currently offered by Australia’s state and territory governments. Learn more about the different schemes available and the key eligibility criteria for receiving these helpful payments.

Designed to aid first home buyers in purchasing their own property, the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a one-time payment that may be accessed by eligible first-time homeowners. Introduced in mid-2000, the national first home owner’s grant scheme was established to offset some of the effects of the government’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) on homeownership and continues to be funded and administered by the country’s states and territories.

To access the First Home Owner Grant, you’ll first need to meet several eligibility criteria. Although these do vary between states and territories, some common criteria include:

• Being over the age of 18
• Being an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia
• Never having previously purchased a home or received a First Home Owner Grant in Australia

The size of the First Home Owner Grant that you may be eligible for does vary depending on what state or territory you intend to purchase a property in. Before you look to apply for a grant, take the time to see what may be available to you.

The Australian Capital Territory does not currently offer any grants to first home buyers. Homebuyers in the ACT may, however, have access to a means-tested stamp duty concession. The concession applies to all homes, new and existing, as well as vacant residential land.

First home buyers in New South Wales who are looking to build a new home or buy a new home may be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant (New Home). The grant is valued at $10,000 and is available to home buyers over the age of 18 who intend to live in their new home for at least six months after the purchase has been settled.

Additional assistance is available to first home buyers, with the First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme waiving all or part of the applicable stamp duty.

First Home Owner Grant (New Home)

Grant value: $10,000

Property value threshold for First Home Owner Grant: $600,000 when buying a new home and $750,000 when building a new home

Key eligibility requirements:

• You must be building or buying your first home
• The property must be a new home that hasn’t previously been inhabited
• You must move into the property in the 12 months following settlement or the completion of your home
• You must live in the property for at least six continuous months

First home buyers looking to buy or build a new home in the North Territory may be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant, valued at $10,000. Unlike some other states, the First Home Owner Grant does not have a property value threshold, allowing properties of all values to qualify for the scheme.

Until 30 June 2021, home buyers who are buying or building in the Northern Territory may also be eligible for the Territory Home Owner Discount, reducing the total stamp duty paid by $18,601.

First Home Owner Grant

Grant value: $10,000

Property value threshold for First Home Owner Grant: A threshold does not currently apply

Key eligibility requirements:

• You must be building or buying your first home
• You must move into the property in the 12 months following settlement or the completion of your home
• You must live in the property for at least six continuous months

Those looking to purchase their first home in the Sunshine State may be eligible to apply for the Queensland First Home Owners’ Grant. Valued at $15,000, the grant can be used towards the purchase of a new home costing up to $750,000, including land.

Queensland First Home Owners’ Grant

Grant value: $15,000

Property value threshold for Queensland First Home Owners’ Grant: $750,000

Key eligibility requirements:

• You must be building or buying your first home
• You must move into the property in the 12 months following settlement or the completion of your home
• You must live in the property for at least six continuous months

Choosing to build or buy your first home in South Australia may see you eligible to receive up to $15,000 from the state government. The property purchased must have a market value of $575,000 or less, and not have been previously occupied. In some circumstances, a substantially renovated property may also be considered.

First Home Owner Grant

Grant value: Up to $15,000

Property value threshold for First Home Owner Grant: $575,000

Key eligibility requirements:

• The property must be a new home that hasn’t been previously inhabited
• You must move into the property in the 12 months following settlement or the completion of your home
• You must live in the property for at least six continuous months

First home buyers planning to buy or build in Tasmania may apply for a First Home Owner Grant valued at $20,000. A property value threshold does not currently apply, although the property must not have previously been occupied prior to purchase.

First home buyers looking to purchase an established property may be eligible for the state’s Duty Concession for First Home Buyers of Established Homes. An eligibility criteria does apply.

First Home Owner Grant

Grant value: $20,000

Property value threshold for First Home Owner Grant: A threshold does not currently apply

Key eligibility requirements:

• The property must be a new home that hasn’t been previously inhabited
• You must move into the property in the 12 months following settlement or the completion of your home
• You must live in the property for at least six continuous months

A First Home Owner Grant of $10,000 is offered by the Victorian state government to first-time home buyers looking to purchase a property that has not previously been occupied. A property value threshold of $750,000 does apply.

A larger grant of $20,000 is available to eligible first home owners who sign a contract to build in regional Victoria before 30 June 2021.

First Home Owner Grant

Grant value: $10,000 for homes located outside of regional Victoria and $20,000 for homes located in regional Victoria

Property value threshold for First Home Owner Grant: $750,000

Key eligibility requirements:

• The property must be a new home that hasn’t been previously inhabited
• You must move into the property in the 12 months following settlement or the completion of your home
• You must live in the property for at least 12 continuous months

If buying or building a new home in Western Australia appeals to you, the First Home Owner Grant, valued at $10,000, could help to make buying your own home more affordable. Property value thresholds do vary, with properties located south of the 26th parallel (including all Perth metropolitan areas) valued up to $750,000 and properties valued up to $1,000,000 found north of the 26th parallel eligible.

First home buyers who are eligible for Western Australia’s First Home Owner Grant or are purchasing an existing home may also be considered for a first home owner rate of duty. Rates vary depending on the value of the property purchased or built.

First Home Owner Grant

Grant value: $10,000

Property value threshold for First Home Owner Grant: Varies depending on the location of the property, with a threshold of $750,000 applied on properties located south of the 26th parallel (including all Perth metropolitan areas) and a $1,000,000 threshold applied on properties located north of the 26th parallel.

Key eligibility requirements:

• You must move into the property in the 12 months following settlement or the completion of your home
• You must live in the property for at least six continuous months

Important Note: Eligibility criteria, property value thresholds and grant values do change from time to time, so be sure to consult the relevant state government website for the latest information.