First home buyers may be able to receive a grant towards a new home. Eligibility to the grant varies between states so it is important to do your research and check with your lender or mortgage broker when you apply for a home loan.
To be eligible for the grant, you and your spouse:
- are permanent residents or Australian citizens (or applying with someone who is).
- are at least 18 years of age
- are buying or building a brand new home
- have not received the grant in the past
- have not owned a property in Australia
- must move into the new home as your principal place of residence within 1 year of the completed transaction and live there continuously for 6 month.
NEW SOUTH WALES
In NSW, first home buyers are entitled to a range of one-off grants, exemptions and concessions when buying or building a new home.
The First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) scheme provides $10,000 to eligible first home buyers to help buy or build a new home. The value of the new home purchased must not be greater than $650,000. When you enter into a contract to buy land and build a property, the total value cannot exceed $750,000. At least one of the homeowners will need to live in the property for a continuous period of at least six months.
Through the First Home Buyers Assistance (FHBA) scheme, first home buyers are exempt from stamp duty (also known as transfer duty) on new homes up to $650,000, and on vacant land up to $350,000. They will receive stamp duty concessions on new homes valued between $650,000 and $800,000, and on vacant land valued between $350,000 and $450,000.
Additionally, under the FHBA scheme, shared equity arrangements allow eligible purchasers to buy property with other parties and still receive a concession.
http://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/grants/fhog
http://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/grants/fhba
VICTORIA
The Victorian FHOG of $10,000 is available to first home buyers for new homes valued up to $750,000. It requires at least one applicant to live in the property continuously for a minimum of 12 months. For new homes built in regional Victoria and valued up to $750,000 the FHOG is $20,000
The FHOG doesn’t apply to established properties. However, whether the home is new or established, first home buyers can apply for the first home buyer duty exemption when they buy a property valued up to $600,000. A duty concession applies when the value is more than $600,000 but not more than $750,000. Depending on eligibility requirements, some first home buyers may also receive a principal place of residence (PPR) duty concession (for homes valued at $550,000 or less).
QUEENSLAND
The Queensland First Home Owners’ Grant is a state government initiative to help first home buyers buy their first home sooner. Depending on the date of your contract, you’ll get $15,000 or $20,000 towards buying or building your new home. All grant applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents and live in the home continuously for at least six months.
https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/first-home-concession
https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/financial-help-concessions/qld-first-home-grant/apply-first-home-grant
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The South Australian Government’s FHOG offers people buying or building new homes a grant up to $15,000, provided the market value of the property doesn’t exceed $575,000. All of the applicants must live in the home continuously for at least six months.
https://www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au/grants-and-concessions/first-home-owners
https://www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au/previous-grants-and-relief/off-the-plan-concession
ACT
The FHOG in the ACT is currently $7,000 for purchasers of new or substantially renovated properties up to the value of $750,000. This grant applies for transactions dated on or before 30 June 2019.
From the 1st of July 2019, the FHOG has changed. Eligible applications who enter a transaction afer this date will not be entitled to the FHOG payment. The FHOG was replaced by the new Home Buyer Concession Scheme.
http://www.revenue.act.gov.au/home-buyer-assistance/first-home-owner-grant
https://www.revenue.act.gov.au/home-buyer-assistance/home-buyer-concession-scheme
https://www.revenue.act.gov.au/home-buyer-assistance/deferred-duty
NORTHERN TERRITORY
From 7 May 2019, first home buyers buying or building a new home can apply for the First Home Owner Grant of $10,000.
First Home Buyers may also be eligible for the BuildBonus grant and Territory Home Owner Discount.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
First home owners can apply for Western Australia’s FHOG of $10,000 if they’re buying or building a new property. The grant is not available for the purchase of an established home or for renovations to an existing home.
A $5,000 boost payment may be available to eligible first home buyers who entered into a contract between 01 January and 30 June 2017.
First home buyers may also be eligible for the first home owner duty concession.
https://www.finance.wa.gov.au/cms/State_Revenue/FHOG/First_Home_Owner_Grant.aspx
First Home Owner Rate of Duty Fact Sheet
https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/consumer-protection/home-buyers-assist
TASMANIA
Tasmania’s FHOG was last year boosted to $20,000 for eligible first home buyers and builders. The property must be new or off-the-plan, and all grant applicants must live in the home for a continuous period of at least six months. Land tax is not payable on a principal place of residence. First home buyers should apply for a principal residence land classification.
The good news is that financial assistance is available to first home buyers all around Australia, so you could enter the property market sooner than you think. However, the rules are different in every state and territory, so you should always thoroughly review the requirements. A mortgage broker will have the latest information and will be able to explain how each grant or assistance scheme relates to your personal situation.
First Home Buyer Support – State by State Guide