The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a one-off payment to encourage and assist first home buyers to purchase or build a new residential property. While the federal government oversees the framework, each state and territory administers and sets the specific amounts and rules.
While rules vary slightly by state, you must generally meet these national criteria to qualify:
Over 18 Years Old You must be a natural person (not a company or trust) and at least 18 years of age.
Citizen or Resident At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
First Time Buyer You or your spouse/partner must not have previously owned property in Australia.
Must Reside In It You must move into the property as your principal place of residence within 12 months and live there for at least 6 continuous months.
A key rule to remember: The FHOG is almost exclusively for new builds. Buying an established home usually disqualifies you (with rare regional exceptions). Here is the current breakdown:
NSW
$10,000
New homes only. Contract value must not exceed $600,000 (build) or $750,000 (combined).
VIC
$10,000*
*$20,000 for regional VIC. New homes only. Property must be under $750,000.
QLD
$15,000
New homes only. Contract value must be under $750,000.
SA
$15,000
New homes only. Off-the-plan or constructing. No strict value cap for the FHOG itself.
WA
$10,000
New or established (south of 26th parallel only for established). Value caps apply based on location.
TAS
$10,000
New homes only. No property value cap applies.
ACT
N/A
No FHOG, but offers stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.
NT
$10,000
New, established, or substantially renovated. Property value under $600,000.
While the FHOG grabs the headlines, many first home buyers save significantly more money through state-based stamp duty exemptions or discounts. In some states, if you buy a property under a certain value (e.g., under $800k in NSW or under $600k in VIC), you may pay zero stamp duty—saving you tens of thousands of dollars upfront.
The good news is that applying for the FHOG is relatively straightforward and is usually handled during the property settlement process.
Through Your Lender Most major banks and lenders are registered agents. They apply for the grant on your behalf at settlement, and the funds go directly towards your purchase costs.
Direct to State Revenue If your lender doesn't support it, or you are buying without a mortgage, you can apply directly to your state's Revenue Office within 12 months of settlement.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Grant amounts, property caps, and eligibility criteria are subject to change by state governments. Always verify the current rules on your local State Revenue Office website or consult a licensed conveyancer before making an offer.
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