First Home Owner (New Homes) Grant

A $10,000 First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is available when you buy or build your first new home.

Your first new home can be a house, townhouse, apartment, unit or similar that is newly built, purchased off the plan or substantially renovated.

The grant is not available for established homes.

How much can I spend?

If you purchase a newly built house, townhouse, apartment, unit or similar the purchase price must not exceed $600,000.

If you purchase vacant land and sign a building contract with a builder then we add the value of the vacant land plus the value of the comprehensive home building contract plus the cost of any building variations done together. The total combined cost must not exceed $750,000.

If you purchase a home which was substantially renovated by the seller, the purchase price must not exceed $600,000.

You may be eligible for the grant if:

• most of the home was removed or replaced
• the seller, builder or a tenant has not lived in the home prior to, during or after renovations
• it is the first time the home has been sold since completion of renovations.

This means the first sale of a property will not be a new home if the person who built it lived in it, leased it out or used it for short-term accommodation.

The First Home Owner Grant may be paid in addition to other exemptions or concessions for eligible homebuyers.

Who’s eligible?

• Each applicant must be at least 18 years old.
• You must be a first home buyer as a person, not as a company or trust
• At least one applicant must be a permanent resident or Australian citizen.
• You or your spouse, partner or co-purchaser must not have previously owned a home before 1 July 2000.
• For contracts signed before 1 July 2023, you must occupy your first home as your principal place of residence within 12 months of the construction or purchase of your home and the minimum period of occupancy is 6 continuous months.
• For contracts signed on or after1 July 2023, you must occupy your first home as your principal place of residence within 12 months of the construction or purchase of your home and the minimum period of occupancy is 12 continuous months.

A document for each category:

• Category 1: primary identity document (for example Australian Birth Certificate or foreign passport and visa). If you are born overseas you must supply a copy of your foreign passport, even if you have an Australian passport. If you do not have your foreign passport, please provide this statement.
• Category 2: photo and signature (for example NSW driver's license)
• Category 3: proof of operating in community (for example Medicare card)
• Category 4: current residential address (for example utility bill)

Contract for the purchase of a new home

The purchase price must not exceed $600,000

• A copy of your contract for sale, dated and signed by vendor.
• A title search showing the applicant(s) as owners of the property.
• A statement from the vendor or their legal representative confirming that this is the first sale of the home and that the home has never been previously occupied since completion of construction.
• List of renovations if substantially renovated.

Where there is no contract, or the sale of the property is between family members or related or associated parties also attach:

• A copy of the transfer, dated and signed by all parties
• Evidence that consideration has been paid
• Evidence of total value of property (house and land)

Comprehensive home building contract

Property Value (house and land) must not exceed $750,000

• A copy of the front page, signature page and Schedules 1-5 of the comprehensive home building contract dated and signed by all parties.
• A title search showing the applicant(s) as owners of the property
• A copy of the interim or final occupation certificate
• Recent evidence of the land value
• A final statement from the builder including all variations.

Property Value (house and land) must not exceed $750,000

• A title search showing the applicant(s) as owners of the property
• A copy of the initial inspection report or approval from council for the laying of foundations
• A copy of the final inspection report or occupation certificate
• A copy of receipts for the home totalling more than the grant amount
• Evidence of the total value of property (house and land)

You will not be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant scheme if you or your spouse have previously:

• received a First Home Owner Grant in Australia.
• owned a home or other residential property in Australia, either jointly or separately, before 1 July 2000
• lived for six continuous months or more in a home located in Australia that you owned (wholly or partially) on or after 1 July 2000.

However, you or your spouse may still be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant if:

• you purchased a residential property after 1 July 2000 and didn’t live in it for more than six continuous months.

If you’re a member of the Australian Defence Force, you may be exempt from the six or twelve month residence requirement, providing all buyers are on the New South Wales electoral roll.

How to apply

If you require the grant for settlement or first drawn down/progress payment, you must lodge your application with the approved agent who is providing you finance.

If you’ve already completed the purchase or construction process, you can lodge your application via the FHOG customer portal.

Please note you need to lodge your application forms and proof of identity documents.

Applying through us

Applicants must lodge within 12 months of settlement or the completed construction date of your new home. We will ask you to provide additional documents if lodgement is not within 12 months.

Applying through an Agent

If you’re applying through an approved agent, you’ll need to complete the First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) Application form below:

Your agent will lodge your application form on your behalf after you have ticked the declaration box, printed your name clearly and dated the form.

You can apply for the First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) scheme through your bank or financial institution when you’re arranging finance.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I move out of my home in the first 12 months?

If you entered into a contract to purchase your home before 1 July 2023 and live in your home for a continuous period of six months, you may keep the grant, but if you move out before this time, you’ll need to repay the grant.

If you entered into a contract to purchase your home on or after 1 July 2023 and live in your home for a continuous period of twelve months, you may keep the grant, but if you move out before twelve months, you’ll need to repay the grant.

Can I apply for the grant if I'm a temporary resident?

No, benefits aren't available for temporary residents. They also can't be backdated for when permanent residency is obtained.

My partner and I are buying the property jointly and neither of us has owned a property before. Do we each get a grant?

No. A single grant is payable per property transaction, not per person.

Does my income affect the grant and is the grant taxed?

No, the grant is not means tested and you do not have to pay tax on it.

What sort of home qualifies me for the grant?

An eligible home may be a new or established Australian house, home unit, flat or other type of self-contained fixed dwelling that meets local planning standards.

I am buying an existing home. Do I qualify for the grant or does it have to be a new home?

No, the grant is only available to purchasers of new or substantially renovated homes.

I'm buying a home in Australia but I already own property outside Australia, does that mean I don't qualify for the grant?

You can be eligible for the grant provided you have not owned property in Australia before.

Investment properties?

If you have owned an interest in residential property since 1 July 2000 that has been solely used for investment purposes, you may be eligible for the grant on another property.

I inherited a property. Can I claim the First Home Owner Grant for that?

No. You must be a buyer or builder of the property.

Changes in living arrangements

For contracts signed before 1 July 2023 and your circumstances have changed since receiving the grant and you can't move into the home within 12 months from the settlement date and stay living there for six continuous months, you must contact us immediately to repay the grant. If you don't you may be fined up to $11,000.

For contracts signed on or after 1 July 2023 and your circumstances have changed since receiving the grant and you can't move into the home within 12 months from the settlement date and stay living there for twelve continuous months, you must contact us immediately to repay the grant. If you don't you may be fined up to $11,000.

Making false claims

We regularly check First Home Owners Grant (New Homes) scheme applications for inaccuracies and compare your information to data from other government agencies and businesses. If you provide false or misleading information you may face a substantial penalty.

Objections

If you’re dissatisfied with an assessment or decision made, then you can lodge an objection or request a reassessment within 60 days.