Applying for the First Home Owner Grant

A $10,000 First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is available when you buy or build your first new home. Your first new home can be a house, townhouse, apartment, unit or similar. A new home can be a home that has been substantially renovated, or a home built to replace demolished premises. It is not an investment property or a holiday house.

The contract price for the home, must be $750,000 or less. For an off-the-plan purchase it is the contract price not the dutiable value that must be $750,000 or less. When you sign a contract to build a home it is the contract to build price that must be $750,000 or less.

A new home has not been sold previously as a place of residence or, occupied as a home including short-term accommodation, such as Airbnb. This means the first sale of a property will not be a new home if the person who built it lived in it, or leased it out or used it for short-term accommodation.

(Read information about FHOG amounts available before 1 July 2013.)

​The FHOG may be paid in addition to other exemptions or concessions for eligible home buyers, including pensioners.

The timing of your FHOG payment depends on the contract you sign to buy or build your new home, and whether you lodge your application with an approved agent or with us directly.

Will I be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant?

What you need to know first

1. In the majority of cases, the bank or credit union that is providing your finance (see the list of approved agents) will lodge the FHOG application form on your behalf. If you require the grant for settlement or first draw down/progress payment, you must lodge your application with an approved agent. Go to step 2 Gather supporting evidence.
2. Only apply with us if an approved agent is not lodging the FHOG application form on your behalf. Applications cannot be lodged with us until after the completion of the eligible transaction. Go to step 1 Check your eligibility.

1. Check your eligibility

   Your answers to questions in the FHOG online portal determines your eligibility to receive the grant. You can also use our online tool to assess your eligibility.

   You are not entitled to the FHOG if you or your spouse/partner have previously:

   • received a First Home Owner Grant in Australia
   • owned a home or other residential property in Australia, either jointly or separately, before 1 July 2000
   • occupied, for a continuous period of at least 6 months, a home which either of you owned or part-owned on or after 1 July 2000 in Australia.

   You may still be eligible for the FHOG if you or your spouse/partner purchased a property on or after 1 July 2000 and have not lived there as your home.

   Additionally, to receive the FHOG at least one applicant must:

   • occupy the home as their principal place of residence (PPR) for at least 12 months, commencing within 12 months of settlement or completion of construction
   • be aged 18 or over (discretionary)
   • be an Australian citizen or permanent resident:
     • in the case of the purchase of a new home - as at the date on which the applicant/s become entitled to possession of the home under the contract, which generally occurs on the date of settlement
     • in the case of entering into a comprehensive building contract - as at the date on which the building is ready for occupation as a place of residence, which generally occurs when construction of the home is finished.

   New Zealanders holding a special category visa under s32 of the Migration Act 1958 and anyone holding a permanent visa under s30(1) are considered permanent residents for these purposes.

   New Zealand citizens must be living in Australia when the eligible transaction is completed.

   Full FHOG eligibility criteria are outlined in the lodgement guide.

   Penalties and interest will apply if you receive the FHOG and are not entitled to it.

2. Gather supporting evidence (proof of identity)

   If you are lodging with an approved agent, each applicant and their spouse/partner must provide a copy (not the original) of a primary identity document and evidence of citizenship or permanent residency (a Category 1 document).

   If you are lodging directly with us, each applicant and their spouse/partner must provide a copy (not the original) of a current document from each of the 3 categories (i.e. 3 documents per person). A single document cannot be used for more than one category.

   Category 1

   A copy of a current primary identity document and evidence of citizenship or permanent residency.

   If you are an Australian citizen: (provide one document)

   • Australian birth certificate
   • Australian passport
   • Australian citizenship certificate.

   If you are a citizen of another country:

   • current passport
   • Evidence of permanent residency or permanent residence visa, including the date on which it was granted.

   A New Zealand citizen:

   • current passport
   • movement record.

   * Applicants who are New Zealand citizens must be living in Australia upon completion of the eligible transaction. The movement record is to be supplied as evidence of this and can be obtained from the Department of Home Affairs.

   Category 2

   Evidence (photo and signature) of link between identity and person (provide one document).

   A copy of current:

   • Australian driver licence
   • Passport (if not used for Category 1)
   • Working with Children Check card
   • firearms licence
   • Proof of Age card issued by Liquor Control Victoria (photo ID card).

   Category 3

   Evidence that each applicant and their spouse/partner reside in Australia (provide one document).

   A copy of current:

   • Medicare card
   • motor vehicle registration notice
   • Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs card.

   Additional supporting evidence

   Additional supporting evidence is required if any of the following applies to you:

   • married - a copy of your marriage certificate
   • divorced - a copy of your divorce certificate
   • widowed - a copy of the death certificate of your spouse/partner
   • separated - a statutory declaration with the following information:
     • the name of your former spouse/partner
     • your former spouse/partner's current address (if known)
     • former spouse/partner’s date of birth
     • the date you were married or started your domestic relationship
     • the date you separated
     • a statement to the effect that you do not live together and have no intention of resuming living together
   • a member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF):
     • a copy of a document issued by the ADF showing your name and that you are a permanent member of the ADF at the completion date of the eligible transaction, and
     • documentation confirming your enrolment on the Victorian electoral roll.

   Evidence of change of name is required if the name on any of the documents presented is different to the name of the applicant (e.g. change of name certificate, issued by births, deaths and marriages or a statutory declaration explaining why you do not have the change of name certificate).

3. Complete the application

   If you are lodging with an approved agent, you need to discuss the application with the approved agent. The approved agent can assist you with completing the application form.

   If you are lodging directly with us, please read our lodgement guide before submitting the application.

   Supporting evidence relating to the transaction is also required.

   If you are lodging directly with us you can complete your application online, including supplying copies of your supporting documents. 

4. Lodge the application

   If you are applying for the FHOG through an approved agent, they will lodge the application form on your behalf after you have signed it and had it witnessed.

   If you are lodging directly with us you must lodge your application within 12 months of settlement or completion of construction of your home.

   Important notes

   The date the grant is paid depends on whether you are building or buying. It also depends on whether you are applying through an approved agent or directly with us.

   If you are unable to meet your 12 month residency requirement because of a change in circumstances, you must notify us in writing within 14 days of the change. 

   If you believe you are eligible for the FHOG and we determine you are ineligible, you can contact us and seek a review of your application.