What is the First Home Owners' Grant (FHOG)?
If you’re buying or building your first home, you may be eligible for a $10,000 to $30,000 one-off payment from the Government. The grant can be used to buy a land and house package, house, townhouse, unit, apartment or similar if it is bought off-the-plan, newly built or substantially renovated.
The FHOG scheme is national. It is funded by the separate state governments and administered under their respective legislations and must satisfy specific eligibility criteria which varies by state. To learn more, click here.
Does the grant vary between States?
Yes. Eligibility for the First Home Owners' Grant varies depending on which state or territory you buy your first home. Below is an overview by state. Click here to learn how it works specifically in each state.
Queensland
The Queensland First Home Owners’ Grant provides $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025 towards a potential first home owner’s deposit if they’re buying or building a new house, unit, or townhouse worth less than $750,000.
Visit the Queensland Government for more information on the First Home Owner’s Grant or concession information, and how you can apply.
New South Wales
In New South Wales, the First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) Scheme is valued to the tune of $10,000 for properties valued up to $600,000 and new home buildings at $750,000.
Eligible homes can be a house, townhouse, apartment, unit or similar that is newly built, purchased off the plan, or substantially renovated.
To apply for the New South Wales New Homes Scheme or to learn more about the concession information, visit the NSW Government’s site.
Victoria
In Metropolitan Victoria (Melbourne), first home buyers buying or building a new home can be eligible for a $10,000 First Home Owner Grant, if the contract was signed on or after 1 July 2013 and the property is valued up to $750,000 or less.
The FHOG in Victoria is not available for those looking to buy an investment property or holiday home.
Visit the State Revenue Office of Victoria for more information on the First Home Owner’s Grant or concession information, and how you can apply.
South Australia
South Australia offers a $15,000 grant to first home buyers building or purchasing new homes with a market value of $650,000 or less.
The South Australian Department of Revenue and Finance has more details on how you can apply.
Western Australia
In WA, first home buyers can receive up to $10,000 towards buying or building new homes – it is no longer available for established properties.
The maximum value of the property that can be purchased with the grant depends on the property’s location. For example, homes in the Perth metropolitan area (south of the 26th parallel) must not be valued at more than $750,000, while houses north of the 26th parallel can be valued at up to $1 million.
Visit the Western Australian Government’s Department of Finance site for more information on the First Home Owner’s Grant or concession information, and how you can apply.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory offers a grant of $10,000 towards buying or building a new home. Unlike a majority of the other states, income and house value does not affect your eligibility to apply for the grant.
Check out nt.gov.au for more information.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT First Home Owner Grant has been replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, which provides a full stamp duty concession for eligible applicants.
Visit the ACT Revenue Office for more information.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian Government will provide first home buyers with a $10,000 grant for transactions commencing from 1 July 2024, provided they purchase or build a new home, not an established one. Unlike other states, Tasmania does not place a limit on the purchase price of the property.
The State Revenue Office of Tasmania provides more detailed information on the First Home Owner’s Grant or concession information, and how you can apply.
First Home Buyers & Owners Grant FAQs
Anyone who is buying or building their first home should apply for the FHOG. Additional requirements will vary depending on the state or territory where you buy your home. Common criteria across all states are:
- You must be at least 18 years of age
- At least one applicant must be a permanent resident or citizen
- Your home must be residential, not investment
- You have not previously owned a home in Australia
- You must be a natural person, not a trust or company
- You must occupy your home within 12 months of purchase or construction
- You need to reside at your home continuously for at least 6 months
Start by using our calculator to check your eligibility.
If eligible, you can apply directly to the government revenue office in your state or territory. Alternatively, loans.com.au can step you through your First Home Owners' Grant (FHOG) application. Our team have in-depth knowledge and can help you step by step. When applying, you'll need to provide certain documents like proof of identity, citizenship or permanent residency and address.
Other necessary documents may also include:
- Australian birth certificate
- Australian passport
- 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)
If approved, you will have 90 days to buy your first home.
The FHOG is generally paid by the government into your mortgage loan after settlement. As such, some lenders will ask you to have the full deposit when applying for a loan. You may therefore need alternate funds to pay your deposit when you sign a contract of sale, which usually happens before settlement.
Of course, different lenders have different lending criteria. loans.com.au can accept proof of your successful application for the FHOG as sufficient evidence to let you use the grant towards your deposit.
Yes, you can use the FHOG to buy an existing home if it's been substantially renovated by the seller but has not served as a residence for the seller, builder or a tenant prior to, during or after renovations. Substantially renovated means structural or non-structural building parts have been removed or replaced. Renovations limited to a single room or cosmetic work like painting walls is not considered substantial.
Why choose us?
loans.com.au is an award-winning online lender that is proudly Australian and based in the heart of Brisbane, with offices in other capital cities.
Super low interest rates
Experienced, Brisbane-based loan specialists
Flexible home loans
Awarded by our industry
Australian owned and run
onTrack Advantage
Our Awards
We’re efficient. For the last 10 years, we’ve won awards each year for our innovation, low rate home loans and car loans and extras like our offset sub-account from experts like RateCity, Canstar and WeMoney to name a few.
Whatever stage of the home loan journey you're at, we can help
I'm buying my next home
We can approve your application quickly to help you get the keys to your next home as soon as possible, and with our low rates, it's possible for you to own your home sooner.
I'm refinancing
At loans.com.au, we make it easy for you to start saving thousands on your home loan repayments, as soon as possible. You don't even have to contact your old lender - we can do the hard work for you.
I'm buying my first home
The friendly lending specialists at loans.com.au are here to help you as much as you need when buying your first home. We can walk you through all your options to find the right loan for you, and we have a number of handy guides and videos available to help with the process.
I'm building a home
When you're building or doing major renovations, you have a lot on your mind. We can help take the stress out the finance with low rates and an easy online application so you can focus on the build.
Got a question? We can help
Chat online now
If you need help using our Home Loan Repayment Calculator or are ready to get started on your home loan journey, send us a message via Live Chat and we’ll get back to you instantly.
Talk to a home lending specialist
Our experienced lending specialists can answer any questions you have on our home loans or the home loan process.