First home buyers grants (also known as first home owners grants) are offered by almost every state and territory government. These are cash grants available to buyers who have never purchased a home before. The eligibility criteria and grant amounts vary a lot depending on where you live.
If you don't qualify for any grants but you are a first home buyer you may qualify for a stamp duty discount or exemption, which can also save you a lot of money.
The eligibility criteria for first home buyers differs slightly between the states and territories. But generally you need to meet the following criteria are:
There are other state-specific conditions as well, which will depend on the state you're buying in. Be sure to visit your state’s office of revenue website and find out if you’re eligible.
| Response | |
|---|---|
| The deposit | 38.93% |
| Getting approved for a loan with a good interest rate | 26.85% |
| Finding the right property | 18.12% |
| Getting a loan without typical employment | 8.72% |
| There were no hurdles | 4.03% |
| Other | 2.01% |
| Previous debts | 1.34% |
Yes, the First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) scheme offers a $10,000 grant for the purchase or construction of new homes. The value of the property of a newly constructed property must be no more than $600,000. If buying land to build a property the combined land and dwelling valued must be no more than $750,000.
Yes, the First Home Buyers Assistance scheme provides first home buyers with exemptions from transfer duty (stamp duty) on new and existing homes:
Learn more about NSW stamp duty and concessions
Yes, the $10,000 First Home Owner Grant is available to eligible applicants buying or building a new home valued at up to $750,000.
First home buyers purchasing a new or established home valued below $600,000 will be exempt from stamp duty. Buyers purchasing a new or established home valued between $600,001 and $750,000 will be eligible for a stamp duty concession, applied on a sliding scale.
First home buyers can get stamp duty concessions even if they don't qualify for a first home owners grant. It's also possible to qualify for both the grant and a stamp duty exemption or concession.
Learn more about VIC stamp duty and concessions
Yes, the Queensland First Home Owners' Grant offers $15,000 to first-time owners buying or building a new home. The grant is available for properties and land valued at less than $750,000.
If you are renovating an established home you may also qualify for the grant.
Yes, there is a first home stamp duty concession available if you buy a home valued at up to $550,000 and meet the eligibility criteria.
Learn more about QLD stamp duty and concessions
The ACT government no longer offers a first home owner grant to buyers. It has been replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme.
The Home Buyer Concession Scheme provides stamp duty concessions. The amount you can save depends on your income and how many dependents you have.
Buyers in the ACT can avoid paying stamp duty if all buyers are over 18 and earning a combined income below the threshold (listed below). Buyers must live in the home continuously for 12 months and all buyers must not have owned a property in the past two years.
The income threshold also varies depending on how many dependent children you have. If your combined income is below the following limits then you can avoid paying stamp duty.
The amount of first home buyer concession you can receive is capped. For 2023-24, it's capped at $34,504.
| Total income (including partner) | Number of dependent children |
|---|---|
| $170,000 | 0 |
| $173,330 | 1 |
| $176,660 | 2 |
| $179,990 | 3 |
| $183,320 | 4 |
| $186,650 | 5+ |
Yes, a FHOG of $10,000 is available if you are buying or building a new home in WA. The home must be your principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least 6 months within the first year of settlement or date of building completion.
Eligible properties located south of the 26th parallel south latitude must be less than $750,000, while properties north of the 26th parallel south latitude are limited at $1 million.
Yes, the First Home Owner Rate of Duty provides exemptions and concessions when purchasing homes valued at less than $530,000 and vacant land less than $400,000.
| Purchase Price | Grant/Concession |
|---|---|
| Less than $430,000 | Exempt from stamp duty |
| $430,000 to $530,000 | Duty payable at a rate of $19.19 for every $100, or part of $100, by which the value exceeds $430,000 |
| $530,001 or more | No concession or exemption |
| Vacant land less than $300,000 | Exempt from stamp duty |
| Vacant land $300,000 to $400,000 | Duty payable at a rate of $13.01 for every $100, or part of $100, by which the value exceeds $300,000 |
| Vacant land $400,001 or more | No concession or exemption |
Learn more about WA stamp duty and concessions
Yes, the FHOG of up to $15,000 is available for the purchase and construction of new homes valued up to $650,000 for contracts entered into on or after 15 June 2023. For contracts entered into before this date, the maximum property value is $575,000.
You may be eligible for stamp duty relief if you are buying a new home and/or land in South Australia where that home will be your main place of residence.
If you are an eligible first home buyer you can be exempt from stamp duty if your home is valued below $650,000 ($400,000 for vacant land).
You can get a stamp duty discount if the value of your home is below $700,000 ($450,000 for vacant land).
You can be eligible for stamp duty relief without being eligible for the first home owner grant.
Learn more about SA stamp duty and concessions
Yes, the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant is available for first home buyers who are buying a new home, buying a new home off the plan or building a new home.
First home buyers purchasing established homes can receive a 50% discount on stamp duty if their property's value is $600,000 or less.
Learn more about Tasmanian stamp duty and concessions
Yes, the $10,000 FHOG is available to eligible applicants who purchase or construct a new home. No limit applies to the value of the property you buy or build and there are no income restrictions.
Not specifically for first home buyers. There is a stamp duty exemption for buyers of house and land packages. To be eligible you must buy a house and land package from a building contractor and sign the contract before 30 June 2027.
The contractor must agree to sell the land to the purchaser and either:
Stamp duty must have been paid by the contractor when bought from the developer.
The exemption is not means tested and there's no gap on the value of the property.
Learn more about NT stamp duty and concessions
At the federal level there are several policies and grants aimed at helping first home buyers. Being federal policies it doesn't matter which state or territory you live in, but there are specific eligibility criteria for each policy.
The First Home Guarantee Scheme allows eligible first home buyers to get a home loan with just a 5% deposit and avoid the extra cost of lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). Lenders usually charge LMI to borrowers with deposits below 20% of their property's value.
The HomeBuilder grant provided support of up to $25,000 for Australian citizens building or renovating homes. There were various eligibility criteria and you didn't have to be a first home buyer to qualify for this one, however, this program closed for applications on March 31, 2021.
The Family Home Guarantee allows eligible single parents to buy homes with 2% deposits and avoid LMI costs while borrowing the remaining 98%. This doesn't just apply to single parents who are first home buyers. Single parents who have previously owned a home can qualify too.
Another helpful option for some first home buyers is the First Home Super Saver Scheme. This policy allows eligible buyers to make extra contributions to their super funds and then withdraw them, pay less tax and then use the money to form part of their deposit.
Check out our complete first home buyer guide for more support.
If you're researching about the home buying process and need help, here's a list of helpful guides:
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I have purchased a property off the plan which we assumed would settle last April (2015) therefore the bank applied for the FHOG in April 2015 and I was sent a letter advising I was approved for the FHOG.
Unfortunately, settlement did not occur on the anticipated dates. In the last three days we have now been advised that settlement will be occurring in 2 weeks’ time – however FHOG has not been reapplied for as yet.
My question is: can I still settle without the FHOG and wait for it to come through after settlement. Will I still be eligible for stamp duty concessions at settlement without the FHOG?
Hi Samma,
Thanks for getting in touch.
As the FHOG is governed by each state and territory in Australia, the rules will depend on the state in which the property is located. Generally, the payment of the grant for an off-the-plan purchase takes place either at or after settlement.
Given that you meet all other eligibility criteria for the FHOG, you may also entitled to duty concessions even if your circumstances prevent you from actually receiving the FHOG. As you were previously approved for the FHOG in your state, I believe you should also receive the duty concessions before settlement.
However, please get in touch with your relevant state government department to confirm your eligibility for the stamp duty concessions.
Thanks,
Belinda
I have a 50 percent share and a mortage in a property that i inherited. Do i still qualify for first home buyers grant or even a stamp duty discount as i have never actully gone out and bought a house it was left to me.
Hi there,
Thank you for your inquiry.
The eligibility for any of the first homeowner’s grants or concessions differs from state to state. In general, you are ineligible if you have ever held ownership, full or partial, of any residential property in Australia, there are no exemptions for inherited property. It would be best to confirm this with the relevant state agency in your local area or with a mortgage broker who would be more versed in the rules of these grants and concessions in your state.
Before applying for a home loan, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.
I hope this helps.
Regards
Jodie
Hi,
So just double checking I have perceived this correctly.
Am I correct in thinking that if I wish to purchase a moderate but nice home for myself and my future but want to make sure I am only lending within my means.
Which means that realistically If I only borrow what I should I can only afford to purchase an established home not a new home but in saying that I can afford something that is not old and something reasonably new and definitely modern though.
Yet from what I have read it seems as I live and wish to purchase in the state of NSW, just because I want to do the right thing by not over extend myself which means an established but modern home is my only real option.
That I will in fact not be entitled to the First Home Buyers Grant nor the stamp duty concessions because the home I purchase will be established and not a brand new home or land.
Am I correct in thinking this?? I hope not and that I have misunderstood.
It doesn’t seem quite fair to me.
Thank you for your time.
Hi there,
Thanks for the question.
The NSW First Home Owner’s Grant and stamp duty concessions unfortunately only applies to new homes. A new home is defined on the Office of State Revenue NSW website as one which has not been previously occupied, nor previously sold as a residence. It can also be a home that has been substantially renovated and a home built to replace demolished premises.
I hope this helps,
Marc.
Hi , I want to purchase a property in Sydney . I am wondering if the first home buyer grant will be avalible to me. I had previously applied and got the grant years ago but due to a horrible divorce my ex ended up with the property and I had no shares from the house . It would help a lot if I could get the grant again. Could let me know if I am eligible for grant ? Thanks
Hi Minni,
thanks for the question.
The eligibility requirements for the grant vary slightly in wording from state to state, but generally exclude applicants who have received the grant in the past, owned a home prior to 1 July 2000, or occupied a home for a continuous period of at least 6 months on or after 1 July 2000.
I would recommend contacting the office of state revenue for your state for more information about how this may apply to you.
Regards,
Marc.
We are currently looking at building our first home but the land that we are considering is unregistered. If we sign contracts for both the purchase of the land and the purchase of the house before the end of the year will we still be entitled to the $15000 First Home Owners Grant even if the land is unregistered until the New Year or will it reduce to $10000?
Hi Newby,
Thanks for your enquiry.
As you can see above on this page, the grants and concessions available for first home buyers vary depending on which state you reside in.
Your best course of action would be to contact your local state office of revenue to see whether you’ll still be eligible to receive the concession if the land is unregistered.
Thanks,
Belinda