The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a one-off payment from state and territory governments for first home buyers who purchase or build a new home. It is separate from stamp duty concessions, the Federal First Home Guarantee scheme, and the First Home Super Saver Scheme — each of which has its own rules. The FHOG specifically applies to new construction and, in some states, has been abolished for established homes.
| State/Territory | Grant amount | Property cap | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | $10,000 | $750,000 | New homes only (contract price or construction cost) |
| VIC | $10,000 metro / $20,000 regional | $750,000 | New homes only |
| QLD | $30,000 | $750,000 | New homes; boosted grant since 2024 |
| WA | $10,000 | $750,000 south-west / $1M regional | New homes only |
| SA | $15,000 | No property value cap | New homes only |
| TAS | $30,000 | No property value cap | New homes only; boosted since 2023 |
| ACT | Abolished | N/A | FHOG discontinued in ACT; replaced with stamp duty concessions |
| NT | $10,000 | No property value cap | New and established homes (NT is an exception) |
Grant amounts and caps are subject to change with state budgets. Always verify current figures with your state revenue office before making purchasing decisions.
The FHOG has consistent eligibility rules across most states. To qualify, you must: be an Australian citizen or permanent resident; be aged 18 or over; not have previously owned a home or investment property anywhere in Australia; not have previously received a FHOG anywhere in Australia; and intend to live in the purchased property as your principal place of residence for at least 12 months, commencing within 12 months of settlement or construction completion.
For couples, both parties must be first home owners. If one partner has previously owned property, the couple is generally not eligible for the FHOG — even if only one name is on the new purchase.
The 12-month residency requirement is enforced. Revenue offices audit FHOG recipients and can demand repayment with interest if the property was rented out or sold within the first 12 months without an approved exemption.
In NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, and TAS, the FHOG applies only to new residential properties — either a newly constructed home (off-the-plan or house and land), a substantially renovated home where the purchase is from the builder/renovator and the property has not been previously occupied since the renovation, or a home built on land you already own. Buying an established property (previously built and occupied) does not qualify for the FHOG in these states.
This is a common misconception. The FHOG for a $600,000 established house in Sydney does not exist. The FHOG for a $600,000 new house or apartment in Sydney is $10,000.
FHOG applications are lodged through the approved lender at settlement (if purchasing) or at the first drawdown of construction finance (if building). Most major lenders and mortgage brokers are approved FHOG agents and handle the paperwork. If you are not using a lender — for example, buying without a mortgage — you can apply directly to your state revenue office.
The grant is typically paid directly to your lender and applied as a credit at settlement, reducing the amount of purchase funds you need to bring. In construction scenarios, it is paid at first drawdown and applied against your loan balance.
The FHOG does not cover stamp duty (a separate and substantially larger cost), lenders mortgage insurance (LMI, required if your deposit is below 20%), or ongoing property costs. For stamp duty concessions, check your state revenue office — most states have separate first home buyer stamp duty exemptions or reductions on top of the FHOG.
For buyers with a small deposit, the federal First Home Guarantee (formerly the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme) allows eligible buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit without paying LMI, with the government guaranteeing the difference. This scheme has an annual allocation of places and property price caps that vary by location. Details are at nhfic.gov.au.
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