First Home Owner Grant Conveyancing Made Simple

We coordinate your FHOG application with settlement so your grant funds arrive exactly when you need them.

Your FHOG Application and Settlement, Handled Together

The First Home Owner Grant puts up to $10,000 towards your new home purchase. But timing matters. Your FHOG application must be lodged correctly and coordinated with your lender so funds arrive at settlement. Miss a step and you could face delays, or worse, lose your eligibility entirely.

As your first home owner grant conveyancer, we handle both your property transfer and your grant application as one coordinated process. We verify your eligibility upfront, prepare your Digital Duties Form, and lodge your FHOG application through the approved channels. Your solicitor works directly with your lender to ensure everything aligns for settlement day.

No chasing paperwork between different offices. No wondering if your application was submitted correctly. One fixed fee of $1,320 plus disbursements covers your complete conveyancing for first home owners, including FHOG coordination.

Check Your FHOG Eligibility Today

We'll confirm whether you qualify for the First Home Owner Grant before you commit to anything.

How First Home Owner Grant Conveyancing Works

Three critical elements determine whether you receive your FHOG funds at settlement.

Comparison of new build for FHOG and established home for stamp duty

New Home vs Established Property

The FHOG applies almost exclusively to new homes. This includes newly built houses, off-the-plan apartments, and substantially renovated properties. Buying an established home? You won't qualify for the cash grant, but stamp duty concessions may still apply. We clarify your situation before you sign anything.

Solicitor lodging digital duties form for first home buyer

Digital Duties Form and FHOG Lodgement

Your conveyancer acts as an Approved Agent for FHOG applications. We lodge your Digital Duties Form and grant application together, coordinating directly with your lender. This ensures your grant funds are available at the exact point of settlement. No last-minute scrambles.

The 12-Month Residency Requirement

You must move into your new home within 12 months of settlement and live there continuously for at least 12 months. Fail to meet this requirement and you'll need to repay the grant with penalties. We make sure you understand these obligations before settlement.

Why First Home Buyers Need a Solicitor for FHOG Applications

More Than Just Paperwork

A first home buyer grant settlement involves multiple moving parts. Your lender needs to know the grant is coming. The vendor's representative needs accurate settlement figures. Revenue authorities need correctly completed forms. Get any piece wrong and settlement can be delayed or your grant application rejected.

Licensed conveyancers can handle property transfers. But when something goes wrong with your FHOG application, you need legal advice. As qualified solicitors at Sutton Laurence King Lawyers, we can provide that advice directly. No referrals to external lawyers. No additional fees for legal questions.

Eligibility Verification Upfront

Not everyone who thinks they qualify for the FHOG actually does. The rules around property value caps vary by state. Victoria currently has a $600,000 threshold for regional properties and $750,000 for Melbourne. NSW caps at $600,000 for new homes. Queensland allows up to $750,000.

Previous property ownership anywhere in Australia disqualifies you, even if you never received the grant before. Citizenship and residency requirements apply. Age restrictions exist in some states.

We verify your eligibility before you commit to a purchase. If issues arise, you'll know early enough to adjust your plans.

Off-the-Plan Purchases and FHOG

Off-the-plan apartments are a common path to FHOG eligibility. They're classified as new homes, so you qualify for the cash grant rather than just stamp duty relief. But off-the-plan purchases carry specific risks. Sunset clauses allow developers to cancel contracts. Completion delays can push settlement beyond your finance approval period.

Victorian buyers currently have an additional advantage. Recent October 2024 legislation removed price thresholds for off-the-plan stamp duty concessions for 12 months. This means significant savings on higher-value apartments that previously wouldn't have qualified.

We review off-the-plan contracts with these risks in mind. You'll understand the sunset clause implications, deposit protection arrangements, and what happens if construction runs late.

Coordinating with Your Lender

Your bank needs to factor FHOG funds into settlement calculations. If they don't know the grant is coming, they may require you to provide additional funds at settlement. Or worse, they may delay settlement while they sort out the discrepancy.

We communicate directly with your lender throughout the process. Settlement instructions include FHOG details. Your bank knows exactly what to expect. This coordination happens as part of our standard service, not as an afterthought.

What Happens After Settlement

Your obligations don't end when you get the keys. The 12-month residency requirement is strictly enforced. State revenue offices conduct audits. If you rent out the property, move overseas, or sell within the residency period, you'll receive a repayment notice plus penalties.

We explain these ongoing requirements clearly before settlement. You'll know exactly what you're committing to when you accept the grant.

Ready to Secure Your First Home Owner Grant?

Fixed fee conveyancing at $1,320 plus disbursements. FHOG coordination included.

Why Choose Us for FHOG Conveyancing

Qualified solicitors handling your first home purchase and grant application together.

Solicitors, Not Just Conveyancers

Legal advice included with your conveyancing. When FHOG issues arise, we handle them directly.

Eligibility Verified Upfront

We confirm your FHOG qualification before you sign a contract. No surprises at settlement.

24-Hour Pre-Auction Review

Buying at auction? We review contracts within 24 hours so you can bid with confidence.

Direct Lender Coordination

We work directly with your bank to ensure FHOG funds are factored into settlement.

Proactive Updates

We contact you with progress updates. You won't need to chase us for information.

Fixed Fee Transparency

$1,320 plus disbursements. No hidden charges. No surprise invoices after settlement.

First Home Owner Grant Questions Answered

Your conveyancer or solicitor acts as an Approved Agent to lodge your FHOG application. While you can technically apply yourself, coordinating the application with your settlement timing requires someone familiar with the process. We lodge your application as part of your conveyancing service at no extra cost.

Grant amounts vary by state. Most states offer $10,000 for eligible new homes. Queensland offers up to $30,000 for new homes in regional areas. Property value caps also differ. We'll confirm the exact amount you qualify for based on your purchase location and property type.

Generally no. The FHOG now applies almost exclusively to new homes, including newly constructed houses, off-the-plan apartments, and substantially renovated properties. Established homes typically only qualify for stamp duty concessions, not the cash grant. We can advise on what concessions apply to your specific purchase.

You'll need to repay the grant plus penalties. State revenue offices actively audit FHOG recipients. If you rent out the property, sell it, or move out before completing 12 continuous months of residence, expect a repayment notice. Some states allow exemptions for genuine hardship, but these are assessed case by case.

The grant is typically applied at settlement, reducing the amount you need to pay. We coordinate with your lender to ensure the FHOG funds are factored into settlement figures. You don't receive a separate cheque. The money goes directly towards your purchase.

Our fee covers your complete conveyancing service: contract review, title searches, FHOG application lodgement, stamp duty calculations, lender coordination, and PEXA electronic settlement. Disbursements like government search fees and registration costs are additional but quoted upfront with no markups.

Yes. Off-the-plan apartments qualify as new homes for FHOG purposes. Victorian buyers currently benefit from expanded stamp duty concessions on off-the-plan purchases until October 2025. We review off-the-plan contracts carefully for sunset clauses and other risks specific to these purchases.

This depends on your specific circumstances. If your partner previously owned residential property in Australia, you may not qualify for the full grant as a couple. Some states allow a partial grant or concession. We assess your eligibility based on both applicants' property ownership history.

Get Your First Home Owner Grant Sorted

Talk to a solicitor about your FHOG eligibility and conveyancing needs. Australia-wide service.