Whether you’re a first home buyer or a parent trying to help your children with their first home, it’s always good to know what government assistance is available. And sometimes, with that little extra help, your ( or your children’s) ‘great Aussie dream’ could actually happen sooner than you (and they) think. Thanks to government efforts to accelerate home ownership and boost the home building industry, first home buyers are now eligible for grants and subsidies.
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) scheme is a government-funded scheme, introduced on 1 July 2000 to encourage and assist home ownership and to provide a one-off payment to eligible first home owners.
Each state and territory has its own criteria for the First Home Owner Grant, Here’s a basic overview of what’s on offer at the moment. Please keep in mind that this information can change.
Victoria – First Home Owner Grant
The 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.
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 concession of up to 50 per cent (for homes valued at $600,000 or less). 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).
For more information on the First Home Owner Grant in Victoria, visit Victoria State Revenue Office Official Website
Alternatively, contact your Mortgage Corp First Home Loan Apecialist and he will explain it to you in simple terms.
How do I apply for the First Home Owner Grant?
Your Mortgage Corp Home Loan Specialist will complete all the first home owner grant application paperwork with your solicitor and submit it on your behalf. So all you need to do is sit back and wait for your Mortgage Corp broker to deliver you the good news.
New South Wales -First Home Owner Grant
In NSW, first home buyers are entitled to a one-off range of 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 $750,000. At least one of the home owners will need to live in the property for a continuous period of at least 6 months.
Through the First Home – New Home scheme, first home buyers are exempt from stamp duty (also known as transfer duty) on new homes up to $550,000, and on vacant land up to $350,000. They will receive stamp duty concessions on new homes valued between $550,000 and $650,000, and on vacant land valued between $350,000 and $450,000.
Click here for more information on NSW First Home Owner Grant
Queensland – First Home Owner Grant
The Great Start Grant (previously known as the First Home Owner Construction Grant) of $15,000 is available to people buying or building a new home up to the value of $750,000. All of the grant applicants must live in the home continuously for at least six months.
It may be possible to reduce the amount of duty on a first home, either through the first home concession or the first home vacant land concession. The Queensland Government has created a handy table to explain the differences between each first home benefit.
Click here for more information on Queensland First Home Owner Grant
South Australia – First Home Owner Grant
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.
There’s also an incentive to support the construction of city apartments, with off-the-plan buyers being eligible for partial stamp duty concessions on apartments within a defined geographical area. These concessions currently have an end date of 30 June 2016, so check the RevenueSAwebsite for updates.
Click here for more information on Southern Australia First Home Owner Grant
ACT – First Home Owner Grant
The FHOG in Canberra is currently $10,000 for purchasers of new property up to the value of $750,000. There’s a residency requirement of one year for at least one of the home owners.
The ACT Government offers a range of assistance to home buyers, including the Home Buyer Concession Scheme (HBCS) and Deferred Duty.
The HBCS applies to new homes, but there is a property ownership test, and thresholds on both the property value and the home buyer’s income. The conditions generally change every 12 months, so check the ACT Revenue Office website for the latest information.
If the buyer qualifies for either the FHOG or the HBCS, they can apply to defer payment of the duty. If the buyer would have qualified for the FHOG but they’re buying an established property, they can still apply to defer the duty payment.
Click here for more information on ACT First Home Owner Grant
Northern Territory – First Home Owner Grant
This scheme offers a FHOG of up to $26,000 to first home buyers and builders if the new property is valued up to $600,000. It requires at least one applicant to live in the home continuously for a minimum of 6 months.
Click here for more information on Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant
Western Australia – First Home Owner Grant
First home owners can apply for Western Australia’s FHOG of $10,000 if they’re buying or building a new property. The maximum value of the property can be $750,000 if the property is located south of the 26th parallel of south latitude, or one million dollars if located north of the 26th parallel of south latitude. Each applicant must live in the home for a continuous period of at least six months.
All first home buyers, whether purchasing a new or established property, may be entitled to theFirst Home Owner Rate of Duty. The value of the home must not exceed $530,000.
First home buyers of properties up to $400,000 might also be eligible for a grant from the Home Buyers Assistance Account. This provides up to $2000 for incidental expenses associated with purchasing a first home. In order to apply for this grant, buyers must meet certain criteria, including purchasing through a licensed real estate agent and having their loan financed through a lending institution, and they must intend to live in the home for at least 12 months. The home must be established or partially built, not vacant land or a house and land package.
Click here for more information on Western Australia First Home Owner Grant
Tasmania – First Home Owner Grant
Tasmania’s FHOG offers $10,000 to eligible first home buyers and builders. The property must be new or off-the-plan, and all of the 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 aprincipal residence land classification.
The good news is that financial assistance is available to first home buyers all around Australia, so your kids could enter the property market sooner than you think. However, the rules are different in every state and territory, so it’s a good idea to 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.
Click here for more information on Tasmania First Home Owner Grant
Alternatively, contact your Mortgage Corp First Home Loan Apecialist and he will explain everything to you and make sure you understand it.
How do I apply for the First Home Owner Grant?
Your Mortgage Corp Home Loan Specialist will do all the legwork for you including completing all the first home owner grant application paperwork with your solicitor and submitting it on your behalf. So all you need to do is sit back and wait for your Mortgage Corp broker to deliver you the good news.
