First Home Owner Grant Eligibility Australia

Find out if you qualify for up to $10,000. We break down FHOG criteria state by state.

Understanding First Home Owner Grant Eligibility

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) puts real money back in your pocket when you buy your first home. But here's what catches many first home buyers off guard: the eligibility requirements vary between states, and the rules are stricter than most people expect.

As a first home buyer solicitor serving clients across Australia, we help buyers understand exactly what qualifies them for the grant before they commit to a purchase. Getting this wrong can mean missing out on thousands of dollars. Getting it right requires knowing the specific FHOG eligibility requirements that apply to your situation, your state, and your chosen property.

This guide covers everything you need to know about first home buyer grant Australia eligibility, including the core criteria that apply nationwide and the state-specific rules that could affect your application.

Not Sure If You Qualify?

Our solicitors review your situation and confirm your FHOG eligibility before you sign anything.

Three Core FHOG Eligibility Requirements

These criteria apply across all Australian states and territories

Newly constructed home eligible for FHOG

New Home Requirement

The FHOG only applies to 'new' homes. This includes brand-new builds, off-the-plan purchases, and substantially renovated properties that have never been occupied or sold as a residence. Established homes do not qualify. If the property has been lived in before, even briefly, it won't meet the first home owner grant criteria.

12-Month Residency Obligation

You must live in the property as your principal place of residence for a continuous 12-month period. This residency must start within 12 months of settlement. You cannot buy the property, rent it out, and claim the grant later. Revenue offices do check compliance, and grants can be clawed back if you don't meet this requirement.

Prior Ownership Test

Am I eligible for First Home Owner Grant if I've owned property before? Generally, no. However, there's an important exception for rentvestors. If you previously owned an investment property but never lived in it for more than six months after 1 July 2000, you may still qualify. This catches many buyers by surprise, both ways.

State-by-State FHOG Eligibility Breakdown

New South Wales

NSW offers a $10,000 First Home Owner Grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. The property must be a new home, meaning it has not previously been sold or occupied as a residence. Off-the-plan apartments qualify, and a temporary duty concession introduced in October 2024 has removed price caps for strata-titled apartments and townhouses. This change significantly benefits buyers purchasing higher-value units in Sydney and surrounding areas.

At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. All applicants must be at least 18 years old. The 12-month continuous residency requirement applies, starting within 12 months of completion or settlement.

Victoria

Victoria provides a $10,000 grant for new homes in metropolitan Melbourne valued up to $750,000. Regional Victoria offers the same $10,000 grant with a higher threshold of $750,000. The property must be a new home that has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence.

Victorian buyers should note that the contract must be entered into on or after 1 July 2000. The residency requirement is the same: 12 continuous months as your principal place of residence within the first 12 months after settlement.

Queensland

Queensland's FHOG stands at $30,000 for new homes valued up to $750,000. This is currently the most generous grant in Australia. The property must be a new home, including off-the-plan purchases, house and land packages, or substantially renovated homes.

Queensland has specific requirements around building contracts. If you're building, the total value including land must not exceed the cap. The 12-month residency rule applies here as well.

Western Australia

WA offers $10,000 for new homes. The property value cap is $750,000 for homes south of the 26th parallel (including Perth). North of this line, the cap increases to $1,000,000. The grant applies to new homes only, including off-the-plan purchases and owner-builder constructions.

South Australia

South Australia provides a $15,000 grant for new homes with no price cap. This makes SA one of the more accessible states for first home buyers purchasing in higher price brackets. The standard eligibility criteria apply: new home, first home buyer, 12-month residency requirement.

Tasmania, ACT, and Northern Territory

Tasmania offers $30,000 for new homes valued up to $600,000. The ACT provides up to $7,000 for new homes with income thresholds applying. The Northern Territory offers $10,000 for new homes in urban areas and $20,000 in regional areas, with a property value cap of $750,000.

Application Timing Matters

For auction purchases, timing is critical. Auctions are legally unconditional with no cooling-off period. Your FHOG application and finance approval must be aligned before auction day. A first home conveyancing solicitor can review the contract before the auction and confirm your eligibility, so you bid with confidence.

Off-the-plan purchases have different timing considerations. The grant is typically claimed at settlement, which may be 12 to 24 months after signing the contract. Eligibility is assessed at the contract date, but you must still meet requirements at settlement.

Buying at Auction?

We provide pre-auction contract review within 24 hours. Know your FHOG position before you bid.

Why First Home Buyers Choose Us

Fixed fee first home conveyancing at $1,320 plus disbursements

Qualified Solicitors

Legal advice included with your conveyancing. We're part of Sutton Laurence King Lawyers, a full-service commercial law firm.

FHOG Application Assistance

We help you complete your First Home Owner Grant application correctly and on time.

Fixed Fee Transparency

$1,320 plus disbursements. No hidden costs or surprise markups at settlement.

Direct Solicitor Contact

Speak directly with your solicitor. No call centres, no offshore processing, no chasing for updates.

24-Hour Contract Review

Pre-auction contract review delivered within 24 hours. Essential for auction purchases with no cooling-off.

Plain Language Explanations

We explain contracts, conditions, and grant requirements in words that actually make sense.

FHOG Eligibility Questions Answered

Yes, you may still be eligible. The FHOG eligibility requirements focus on whether you've owned residential property in Australia. Overseas property ownership generally does not disqualify you, but you must not have previously received a first home owner grant or similar scheme benefit in Australia.

This depends on your partner's ownership history. If your partner previously owned and lived in a residential property in Australia after 1 July 2000, neither of you can claim the grant on a joint purchase. However, if they owned an investment property but never lived in it for more than six months, you may still qualify.

No. The First Home Owner Grant only applies to new homes. This includes newly constructed properties, off-the-plan purchases, and substantially renovated homes that have not been previously occupied or sold as a residence. Established homes do not qualify, regardless of the price.

You must repay the grant. Revenue offices conduct compliance checks, and failure to meet the 12-month continuous residency requirement will result in the grant being clawed back. There are limited exceptions for genuine hardship, but these are assessed case by case.

Most buyers apply through their lender as part of the finance application. The grant is then credited at settlement. If you're not using a lender, you can apply directly to your state's revenue office. For auction purchases, confirm your eligibility before auction day since there's no cooling-off period.

Yes, in most states you can receive both benefits if you meet the eligibility criteria for each. Stamp duty concessions have different thresholds and requirements than the FHOG. We calculate your total savings as part of our first home conveyancing service.

Licensed conveyancers can handle standard property transfers but cannot provide legal advice. As solicitors, we can review contracts, advise on complex clauses, and provide legal opinions. If issues arise with your purchase, we can escalate matters within our law firm rather than referring you elsewhere.

Ready to Buy Your First Home?

Fixed fee conveyancing at $1,320. FHOG application assistance included. Australia wide service.