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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Hello Team!
Me & my spouse bought our 1st house in Melbourne in April, it’s an established house, it’s around 6 years old, are we entitled to a FHG?
Hi Sam,
Thanks for your question.
For the purpose of FHOG, a qualifying home can be a new or established house, home unit, flat or other type of self contained fixed dwelling that meets local planning standards and are located in Australia. The exact specifications will depend on your state.
Kindly note that other eligibility criteria apply, as we have listed above.
Cheers,
Anndy
Thank you Anndy!
Hello,
I was wondering if the SA $15,000 first home owners grant will still be available after July 2017? If so, would it also be able to be used in conjunction with the new salary sacrifice super contributions which are being introduced on July 1st?
Thank you for your time
Regards
Rick
Hi Rick,
Thank you for your question and for contacting finder.com.au – we are a financial comparison website and general information service we are not mortgage specialists so can only offer general advice.
Sorry for the delayed reply. To date, the FHOG amounting to $15,000 for eligible applicants in SA is still effective. There are no updates if this may still or may no longer be available after July this year. So best that you visit the official website of the SA Revenue office to confirm. Moreover, the government of SA has no requirements as to how the money is to be used provided you are eligible to receive it.
Please note though, with regards to the new First Home Super Saver Scheme, there are no indications that you can still access the funds if you will buy your first home before 1 July 2018.
Cheers,
May
Is a motorhome eligible for the first home buyers grant? Like it is a “home”. I can’t find a clear answer.
Hi Cam,
Thanks for your question.
For the purpose of receiving the grant, an eligible home is a home located in Australia. It can be a new or established house, home unit, flat or other type of self contained fixed dwelling that meets local planning standards. The exact specifications will depend on your state.
Motorhomes are generally not fixed dwellings ands may not qualify for the FHOG. You can confirm this by directly getting in touch with the agency that handles FHOG in your area.
Cheers,
Anndy
Hi Team,
I am going to commence building my first home in August. Our situation up till now is that we have gotten a mortgage on our land which was titled to us and we have started paying against from March. We will be funding our build independently and thus do not have a bank dealing with them or able to put in our first home owner grant application.
Do i still qualify for this grant and can i apply for it independently?
Thank You
Elaine
Hi Elaine,
Thanks for your question.
There are different eligibility criteria to qualify for the FHOG, depending on which state the property is located. You can check our guide above for this information.
In regards to applying for FHOG, aside from submitting your application through an approved agent or bank, you may also directly apply and submit your application to the revenue office in your area. This is normally the option in case you are getting an independent funding.
Cheers,
Anndy
Hi – i am looking at buying a house and land package in QLD using a first home owner scheme. The price is $649k, what is the maximum amount i will get + any stamp duty rebate? When will the grant be paid?
Hi John,
Thanks for your question.
The Queensland First Home Owners’ Grant offers $20,000 (until midnight 30 June 2017) to first-time owners buying or building a new home. The grant is available for properties valued at less than $750,000. For contracts entered into on or after 1 July 2017, this amount will decrease to $15,000. The grant is payable at settlement or on the first progress payment in the case of those building their home.
Stamp duty concessions are available in QLD, but only if you buy a home valued less than $550,000.
Cheers,
Anndy
thanks Anndy – so it will be a 2 part contract = $649k. If I’ve understood you correctly, the $20,000 rebate will begin to be drawn upon the progress payment claims during the construction period? The stamp duty rebate: as the land value is what you ay stamp duty on in this case will I be entitled to any rebate here considering the land component will be less the $550k threshold you mention? Or is the $550k take into account the upon complete valuation (i.e. the $649k)
Hi John,
Thanks for your question.
Just to clarify, if you are building your home, the schedule of release for FHOG will depend on who builds and finances the construction:
Building your home (building contract) – When you have a final inspection report (if applying through OSR) or once the first draw down of funds (if applying through a lender)
Building your home (owner-builder) – When you have a final inspection report, regardless if you apply through OSR or lender.
For QLD, residents, stamp duty is calculated based upon the greater amount out of the price paid for the property and the market or unencumbered value of the property. I can’t find any specific rule when it comes to building from a vacant land.
You may have to directly contact the Office of the State Revenue in your area to enquire if you are eligible for the stamp duty concession, given your situation.
Cheers,
Anndy