Home > GET STARTED > COMPARE HOME LOANS > FIRST HOME OWNER GRANT

Printer friendly

FIRST HOME OWNER GRANT

Who is eligible for the First Home Owners Grant?


Even though the requirements for the First Home Owners Grant are not onerous and not means-tested, home buyers must be able to meet certain criteria. To qualify for the First Home Owners Grant, a customer must:


The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) scheme was introduced on 1 July 2000 to offset the effects of the GST on home ownership. It is nationally funded but the states and territories administer it under their own legislation. Under the scheme, first home owners who qualify are given a one-off grant of up to $7000.

  • Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • For the purpose of purchasing or construction of their first home in Australia
  • Occupy the property as their primary residence within 12 months of the settlement and continuously live in it for at least 6 months
Other criteria


Customers who plan to purchase a property with co-buyers must also meet the same criteria to qualify. First home buyers must also be informed about the implemented caps before assuming they are qualified. Every state has its own cap:

  • New South Wales: $850,000 (Contracts after 1 January 2011)
  • Queensland: $750,000
  • South Australia: No limit
  • Victoria: $750,000
  • Western Australia: $750,000 or $1,000,000 for property north of the 26th parallel
  • Australian Capital Territory: No limit
  • Northern Territory: $750,000
  • Tasmania: No limit
Other benefits


Qualified customers might also be eligible for other benefits like the following:

  • NSW – A $3,000 supplement. Their FHOG also offers a duty exemption of up to $17,990. Benefits of up to $41,990 are available to first home owners in NSW after adding the First Home Owners Grant.
  • South Australia – A First Home Bonus Grant of $4,000 is available for first home purchases with a market value of up to $400,000. This phases out for properties with market values between $400,000 and $450,000 by $8 for every $100 in excess of $400,000.
  • Tasmania – A stamp duty concession of up to $4,000 for the purchase of an existing property valued up to $350,000.
  • Victoria – A First Home Bonus Grant of $11,000 for a new home and $2,000 for an existing home on contracts entered into between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010, where the value of the property is $600,000 or less.
  • Western Australia – No stamp duty on properties worth $500,000 or less.
  • QLD – A $4,000 regional bonus grant, call us now to see if you qualify.
The First Home Buyers Gold Rush


First home buyers have rushed to the grant scheme with tens of thousands of first home buyers benefiting from the first home owners grant. Coupled with the most competitive and feature-rich home loan options and state government stamp duty incentives, purchasing your first home can be a financially rewarding experience, making all those years of saving finally pay off.


Since mistakes can be costly, Cash Back Mortgage is here to help you learn. Using the resources on our website, you can make genuine “true rate” comparisons between mortgage providers and home loan products. Still confused or need to ask a question? The best thing to do is to talk to an experienced mortgage broker who knows their way around the market and get them to help you with both your home loan and grant eligibility. We will help you find the right home loan, determine your eligibility for the first home owners grant and even help you complete the paperwork.


Cash Back Mortgage simplifies the process of buying your First Home.

Call us for your FREE First Home Buyers E-book on 1300 640 988

______________