First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
A state/territory government grant for first home buyers, typically $10,000–$30,000 for new homes, with varying eligibility criteria.
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a one-off payment by state and territory governments to help first home buyers purchase or build their first home. The amount and eligibility criteria vary by jurisdiction. Most states offer $10,000–$15,000 for new homes, with some regional areas offering more (e.g., Queensland offers $30,000 for new homes). The grant generally does not apply to established (existing) homes — it is designed to stimulate new housing construction.
Common eligibility requirements across states include: you (or your partner) must not have previously owned a residential property in Australia, you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you must be 18 or over, the property must be below a value cap (typically $600,000–$750,000 depending on the state), and you must live in the property as your principal place of residence for a continuous period (usually 6–12 months) within 12 months of settlement or completion.
The FHOG is separate from other first home buyer benefits such as stamp duty concessions, the First Home Super Saver scheme (FHSS), and the Home Guarantee Scheme (which allows first home buyers to purchase with as little as 5% deposit without paying lenders mortgage insurance). These benefits can often be combined, significantly reducing the upfront costs of buying a first home.
How it works
The First Home Owner Grant is a one-off payment made by state and territory governments to first home buyers, generally to encourage new housing construction rather than the purchase of existing homes. The amount and eligibility rules are set separately by each state and territory, so the grant available for the same purchase can differ depending on where the property is. Most states offer $10,000–$15,000 for new homes, though some regional areas offer more — Queensland, for example, offers $30,000 for new homes.
In practice, you apply through your state revenue office or, in many cases, directly through your lender at settlement, and the grant is usually paid into the purchase to reduce the amount you need to fund yourself. Common conditions across states include never having previously owned residential property in Australia, being an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or over, buying below a value cap (typically $600,000–$750,000 depending on the state), and living in the property as your main home for a continuous period, usually 6–12 months, within 12 months of settlement or completion.
The grant only applies to new homes in most jurisdictions, so buyers targeting an established property generally miss out, even if every other eligibility condition is met. It is a separate benefit from stamp duty concessions, the First Home Super Saver scheme, and the Home Guarantee Scheme's low-deposit lending option, and these can usually be combined, meaningfully cutting the total upfront cost of a first purchase. Missing the occupancy window, or moving out before the required period is up, can put the grant at risk of being clawed back.
Example: FHOG on a new home purchase in Queensland
A first home buyer purchases a newly built home for $550,000, which sits below the applicable state value cap, and moves in as their main residence within the required window after settlement.
Because Queensland offers $30,000 for new homes, that grant is applied at settlement, reducing the amount the buyer needs to fund from their own savings or loan by $30,000.
Calculate it yourself
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Stamp Duty (Transfer Duty)
A state/territory tax on property purchases, calculated as a percentage of the property value — rates vary by jurisdiction.
First Home Super Saver (FHSS)
A scheme allowing first home buyers to save for a deposit inside super, benefiting from lower super tax rates on contributions.
Principal Place of Residence (PPOR)
Your main home, which is generally exempt from capital gains tax when sold.
Land Tax
An annual state/territory tax on the value of land you own, excluding your principal place of residence in most states.