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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Is there any financial assistance available in Victoria for single mums ?
I have previously owned a property in the past thereby don’t qualify for first home buyer grants or assistance. I have been forced to rent and slowly save in order to try to own a home again due to a financially devastating divorce where I have had to start from scratch.
It is almost impossible to save enough for a deposit and all the costs such as transfer of land and stamp duty to purchase a home.
What help if any is out there ?
Hi Single Mum,
Thanks for the question and I’m sorry to hear about your recent troubles.
Victoria does not offer any specific financial help to single mothers. I would recommend contacting a free financial counsellor to get a handle on your finances if you feel as though you are struggling. You can call the government-funded free financial counselling hotline. It is anonymous and your identity will be protected during the call. You can call from 9:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday on 1800 007 007.
They may also be able to help you create a plan to get on the path of home ownership. You might also want to consider speaking to a financial advisor (although these experts will generally charge fees/ receive a commission from the products you select).
Alternatively, there are many qualified mortgage brokers who can help with working out how much you could borrow and what sorts of properties you might be able to afford on a single income. Brokers won’t usually charge you fees, instead, they receive a commission from your lender.
I hope this helps,
Marc
My partner and I are looking to buy our first home in QLD for approx $500,000. We plan on living there for more than 12 months. This is an existing home – are we eligible for any concessions?
Hi Alyce,
Thanks for your enquiry.
As mentioned above on this page, the QLD Great Start Grant first home buyers receive $15,000 for buying a new property valued less than $750,000. This can be used for a brand new dwelling that has not been previously occupied as a place of residence. This may also be used for a substantially renovated home.
You must move into the home within 1 year of the transaction and you must also live there for a continuous period of at least 6 months in order to keep the grant.
In addition, transfer duty concessions are available for first home buyers in QLD that are purchasing a property worth less than $550,000.
Thanks,
Belinda
What is a substantially renovated home?
I’m looking at a property which is sold for the purpose of renovation at the buyer’s interest.
The property was advertised for sale at 320k and the interior was very run down.
The seller is selling it cheap so that the buyer can save the money for renovation.
Am I eligible for the first home owners grant and stamp duty concession for a substantially renovated property? What is a substantially renovated property? Can I enter a contract with seller for the purchase of pre-renovated property so that I can be eligible for the first home owners grant and stamp duty exemption?
Hi Confused,
I’ve sent you an email to follow up with this enquiry.
Thanks,
Belinda
I work in Hong Kong, but I am an Australian citizens, from Sydney . I would like to purchase my first home in Sydney. As I am unable to live in the property, would I be eligible for the FHO Grant?
Hi John,
Thanks for your enquiry.
To be eligible for the First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) you must meet a range of criteria, which can be found on the NSW Office of State Revenue website.
Please note that you will need to live in the home for a continuous period of at least 6 months.
Thanks,
Belinda
Hi
I was wondering if you could sell your brand new home one you receive the first home owners grant in the first 6 months?
Can you receive both the 15,000 and exemption to stamp duty at the same time?
Hi Garren,
thanks for the question.
Most states require you to live in the property for a continuous period of at least 6 months – but check the office of state revenue for the state you live in for the up-to-date conditions.
If you fail to fulfil these conditions you may be required to pay the grant back.
You can receive the grant and stamp duty exemptions at the same time.
Cheers,
Marc.