First Home Owner Grant

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Looking to buy or build your first home? While it can be difficult to save up enough money to buy a property, the Australian government offers several schemes and initiatives to help first home buyers get on the property ladder.

In this guide, we’re talking about the First Home Owner Grant. From eligibility criteria to frequently asked questions, we’ve compiled all the information you might need about this grant below.

What is the First Home Owner Grant?

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) – also informally known as the First Home Buyers Grant – was introduced on 1 July 2000 to help first home buyers purchase their first property sooner.

The grant is a nationwide scheme funded by individual states and territories, with each state or territory having its own legislation.

How much is the First Home Owner Grant in each state or territory?

NSW: $10,000
VIC: $10,000
QLD: $30,000 – Update: The First Home Owner Grant in QLD doubled on 20 November 2023
WA: $10,000
SA: $15,000
TAS: $30,000
NT: $10,000
ACT: The ACT government no longer offers the First Home Buyer Grant.

Am I eligible for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)?

The following criteria is generally the same across all Australian states and territories:

The property must be a newly built, off-the-plan or substantially renovated home
The application for the FHOG, including the form and supporting documents, must be submitted within 12 months of completing an eligible transaction
Applicant/s must be at least 18 years old
Applicant/s cannot be a company or trust
At least 1 applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Applicants must not have previously received a FHOG in any Australian state or territory
Applicants must not have held relevant interest in a residential property in Australia before 1st July 2000.

Want to learn more about other government schemes? Read our guide to the government’s Home Guarantee schemes.

Find out if you’re eligible for the First Home Owners Grant

Chat to a Home Loan Specialist about the government schemes available to you.

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First Home Owner Grant criteria in each state and territory

In addition to the eligibility requirements in the section above, here are the other requirements for each state and territory:

First Home Owner Grant in New South Wales

For a newly built house, townhouse, apartment, unit or similar the purchase price must be $600,000 or below
For a vacant land and building contract with a builder, the total combined cost of the value of the vacant land plus + comprehensive home building contract + cost of any building variations must be $750,000 or below
For a substantially renovated home, the purchase price must be $600,000 or lower.
Applicant/s must live in the home for at least 6 months
Applicant/s must not have occupied property in Australia for 6 continuous months after 1 July 2000.

First Home Owner Grant in Victoria

The amount paid for the property (the contract price for construction when building the home) must be $750,000 or less.
At least 1 applicant must live on the property for at least 12 months, starting within 12 months of settlement or completion of construction.
Applicant/s must not have owned a residential property in Australia, before 1 July 2000.

First Home Owner Grant in Queensland

The value of the property must be $750,000 or less.
Applicant/s must live in the property for at least 6 months, starting within 12 months of the completion of the transaction.
Applicant/s must not have owned residential property in Australia before 1 July 2000 or after 1 July 2000 that you lived in.

First Home Owner Grant in Western Australia

Applicant/s must live in the property for at least 6 months, starting within 12 months of the completion of the transaction.
Applicants must not have held relevant interest in a property in Australia after 1st July 2000 and occupied the same property for at least 6 months after 1st July 2004.
Applicant/s must not have owned residential property anywhere in Australia before 1 July 2000
Applicant/s must not have owned residential property anywhere in Australia on or after 1 July 2000 and occupied that property as a place of residence before 1 July 2004
Applicant/s must not have owned residential property anywhere in Australia on or after 1 July 2000 and occupied that property as a place of residence for a continuous 6 months on or after 1 July 2004.

First Home Owner Grant in South Australia

The market value of the property must be $575,000 or less
In addition to Australian citizens and permanent residents, New Zealand citizens permanently residing in Australia who hold Special Category Visas may be eligible
Applicant/s must live in the property for at least 6 months, starting within 12 months of the completion of the transaction
Applicant/s must not have owned a residential property in Australia before 1 July 2000
Applicant/s must not have owned residential property and lived in it for 6 months or more after 1 July 2000.

First Home Owner Grant in Tasmania

Applicant/s must live in the property for at least 6 months, starting within 12 months of the completion of the transaction
Applicants must not have occupied and held relevant interest in the same property in Australia after 1st July 2000.
Applicant/s must not have owned a residential property in Australia before 1 July 2000
Applicant/s must not have owned residential property and lived in it for 6 months or more after 1 July 2000.

First Home Owner Grant in the Northern Territory

Applicant/s must not have owned a residential property in Australia before 1 July 2000
Applicant/s must not have owned residential property and lived in it after 1 July 2000.

First Home Owner Grant in the Australian Capital Territory

The ACT no longer offers the First Home Owner Grant. Instead, the territory offers several stamp duty (also known as transfer duty) exemptions and concessions in its place.

How do I apply for the First Home Owner Grant?

Most people apply for the FHOG when they are applying for a home loan.

You can speak to a Home Loan Specialist who will discuss your eligibility and explain the steps in full. You may need to complete an application form and lodge your application via the relevant government website.

Can I use the First Home Owner Grant as part of my deposit?

Yes, you can use the FHOG as part of your deposit. Keep in mind that this grant alone will not be enough to cover your entire deposit.

If you don’t have enough savings to cover a 20% deposit, you may need to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

You may also be eligible for a Home Guarantee which enables you to buy a home with a deposit of as little as 5%.

Alternatively, you may have access to a guarantor who can provide the equity in their home as security to prevent you from paying LMI.

What could your borrowing power be?

Get an accurate estimate based on your deposit, savings income and more.

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When does the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) get paid?

The time of payment for the grant may vary depending on the state or territory government. Generally, the FHOG will be paid in full after the settlement of the property is complete.

You can apply for the FHOG through an approved agent, which may be your financial institution, or through the state’s revenue office. Who you apply through may depend on whether you are building or buying, and this will also affect the timing of the payment.

Can I get the First Home Owner Grant for an investment property?

No, unfortunately, you won't be eligible for FHOG if you’re buying an investment property.

This grant is only available to owner-occupiers and will typically require the buyer to live in the property for a continuous period of at least 6 months (and up to 12 months in some areas).

However, it’s a good idea to regularly check your state or territory’s legislation for changes in the eligibility criteria.

Are you a first home buyer? You could be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant or several other government initiatives to help you save on your first home purchase. Get in touch with a Home Loan Specialist for free to find out more.