What is the First Home Owner Grant?
On 1 July 2000, FHOG was implemented to offset the impact of the GST on home ownership. It’s a national program that the states and territories fund and administer. The scheme provides a one-off grant to first-home owners who meet all the eligibility requirements (firsthome.gov.au).
First Home Owner Grant Eligibility
In general, first-time homebuyers are eligible based on the following factors:
- First-time home buyers must be individuals, not companies or trusts.
- At least one applicant must be a permanent resident or Australian citizen.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- In order to be eligible for this program, you or your spouse, partner or co-purchaser must not have owned a residence on land in Australia prior to 1 July 2000.
- You or your spouse or partner cannot have lived in a residential property which you owned from 1 July 2000.
- You or your spouse, partner, or co-purchaser may not have previously claimed the grant.
- You must occupy your first home as your principal place of residence within 12 months of its construction or purchase, with a minimum of 12 continuous months.
Additionally, there are state-specific conditions, which are determined by the state where you intend to purchase a home. If you’re wondering whether you’re eligible for the grant or duty concessions, be sure to visit the office of revenue website in your state to find out.
First Home Owners Grant QLD
How much is the FHOG? $15,000
What can you get it for?
- Buying or building a new home valued up to $750,000
Concessions and exemptions:
First-time homebuyers can qualify for concessions on stamp duty up to $550,000. Concession amounts vary based on the purchase price.
For more information, visit: Queensland Government
First Home Owners Grant VIC
How much is the FHOG? $10,000 for urban homes
What can you get it for?
- New home valued up to $750,000
Concessions and exemptions:
Victorian first home buyers are exempt from paying stamp duty on properties worth up to $600,000, while a concession is available for properties worth between $600,001 and $750,000.
For more information visit: State Revenue Office Victoria
First Home Owners Grant NSW
How much is the FHOG? $10,000
What can you get it for?
- A new home valued up to $600,000
- A new home valued up to $750,000 if you enter a contract to build or are an owner-builder
Concessions and exemptions:
As of August 1, 2021, first home buyers in NSW will be exempt from paying transfer duty on new and existing homes worth under $650,000. In the range of $650,000 to $800,000, first home buyers can enjoy reduced transfer duty. On vacant land valued under $350,000, no transfer duty is charged to first-time homebuyers. A concessional rate is applied to land valued between $350,000 and $400,000.
For more information, visit: Office of State Revenue New South Wales
First Home Owners Grant WA
How much is the FHOG? $10,000
Requirements:
- Up to $750,000 for new homes purchased south of the 26th parallel
- Up to $1m for new homes purchased north of the 26th parallel
Concessions and exemptions:
Concessions on stamp duty are available for first-time homebuyers of properties worth up to $530,000. These amounts vary depending on the price of the property.
For more information, visit: Government of Western Australia
First Home Owners Grant SA
How much is the FHOG? Up to $15,000
Requirements:
- New homes valued at up to $575,000. (If the property is intended as your primary residence and you intend to live there for 6 months within a year after settlement.)
For more information, visit: Government of South Australia
First Home Owners Grant TAS
How much is the FHOG? $30,000
Requirements:
- New homes or off-the-plan properties only
Concessions and exemptions:
For the first time home buyer buying an established home with a dutiable value of less than $500,000, there is a 50% discount on the property transfer tax.
For more information, visit: Tasmania Government – Department of Treasury and Finance
First Home Owners Grant NT
How much is the FHOG? $10,000
Requirements:
- New homes only
Concessions and exemptions:
There are a range of government grants, concessions and rebates available for first home buyers and other Northern Territory home buyers.
For more information, visit: Northern Territory Government
Home Buyer Concession Scheme ACT
How much is the FHOG? Varies
First Home Owner Grants have been replaced by Home Buyer Concession Schemes in the ACT, which offer stamp duty concessions. A homeowner under a certain income threshold who will live continuously in the home for a period of one year within the first 12 months after settlement, and who hasn’t owned another property in the past two years, may qualify for no duty or reduced duty.
For more information, visit: ACT Revenue Office
