First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) lodgement guide

Publication-FHOG-Lodgement

In the majority of cases, the bank or credit union that is providing your finance (see the list of approved agents) will lodge the First Home Owner Grant (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.

Only lodge your application with us if an approved agent is not lodging the FHOG application form on your behalf. You can apply online, including supplying copies of your supporting documents.

Find out more about applying for the FHOG.

If you do need to lodge the application, the following information will assist you to complete it. You can also refer to an explanation of the terms used within the application.

Three easy steps to claiming your grant
Lodgement guide
Supporting evidence
When will the grant be paid?
When do I have to move in by and for how long?
Terms used
Guide to completing the application
Penalties

Three easy steps to claiming your grant

1. Read the lodgement guide

The guide contains important information you need to read before completing and submitting your application.

2. Gather your supporting documents

You must provide copies of all supporting documents, the lodgement guide contains specific information on supporting documents.

3. Lodge your application

You can lodge your application with:

The approved agent who is providing your finance. Review a list of approved agents. If you require the grant for settlement or first draw down/progress payment, you must lodge your application with an approved agent.
The State Revenue Office.

If you lodge with us, you must complete an application via the online portal, including supplying your supporting documents.

Note: Applications cannot be lodged with us until after the completion of the eligible transaction.

Lodgement guide

Each applicant should read this information before completing an application via the online portal.

Read an explanation of the terms used in this document.

To apply

Applicants must:

Lodge an application with the approved agent assisting with finance (bank or credit union) or to the State Revenue Office after settlement and within 12 months of completion of the eligible transaction.
Be a natural person (i.e. not applying as a company or trust) who is at least 18 years of age at the date of settlement or completion of construction.
Ensure at least one applicant is an Australian citizen or a permanent resident at the date of settlement or completion of construction.
Be buying or building a home for which the contract was signed on or after 1 July 2000, or building a home as an owner builder where building started on or after 1 July 2000.
Be buying or building a home for which the contract price of the property does not exceed the $750,000 cap for eligible transactions which commenced on or after 1 January 2010.
Ensure each person holding a relevant interest in the property is an applicant.
Ensure at least one applicant will reside in the home as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least 12 months commencing within 12 months of completion of the eligible transaction.
Include partner/spouse details on the application, and provide their supporting documentation.

Applicants and their spouse/partner must not:

Have previously received a First Home Owner Grant in any state or territory of Australia. If a grant was received but later paid back with any penalty you may be entitled to reapply for the grant.
Have previously owned or held a relevant interest in a residential property anywhere in Australia prior to 1 July 2000.
Have occupied, for a continuous period of at least 6 months, a residential property in which they acquired a relevant interest on or after 1 July 2000 anywhere in Australia.

Supporting evidence

Proof of identity

Evidence - document category	If lodging with an approved agent	If lodging with the State Revenue Office
Category 1	Each applicant and their spouse/partner must provide a Category 1 document. Category 1 documents for Australian citizens are: A copy of an Australian birth certificate. A copy of an Australian passport. A copy of an Australian citizenship certificate. Category 1 document for New Zealand citizens* is: A copy of their current passport. Category 1 documents for citizens of another country are: A copy of their current passport. A copy of their permanent residence visa grant notice, including the date on which it was granted. Applicants who are New Zealand citizens must be living in Australia upon completion of the eligible transaction. Note:* At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the date of settlement or completion of construction.	Each applicant and their spouse/partner must provide a copy of a document from each of the 3 categories (3 documents per person). A single document cannot be used for more than one category. If mailing in your application only send copies. Category 1 documents for Australian citizens are: A copy of an Australian birth certificate. A copy of an Australian passport. A copy of an Australian citizenship certificate. Category 1 documents for New Zealand citizens* are: A copy of their current passport. A copy of their movement record. Category 1 documents for citizens of another country are: A copy of their current passport. A copy of their permanent residence visa grant notice, including the date on which permanent residency was granted. 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. Note:* At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the date of settlement or completion of construction. Identity documents submitted will be verified with their issuing authority.
Category 2	Not applicable	Link between identity and person (photo and signature) – provide a copy of one of the following: Current Australian driver licence – provide back and front. Current passport (if not used as Category 1). Current Working with Children Check card. Current firearms licence. Proof of Age card issued by Liquor Control Victoria (photo ID card).
Category 3	Not applicable	Evidence that each applicant and their spouse/partner reside in Australia – provide a copy of one of the following: Medicare card. Current motor vehicle registration notice. Current Centrelink or Department of Veterans' Affairs card.
Additional supporting evidence	Additional supporting evidence is required if you are: 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 containing the following information about your former spouse/partner: their name. their date of birth. their current address (if known). the date you were married or commenced your domestic relationship. the date you separated. a statement to the effect that you do not live together and have no intention of resuming your relationship. 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, documentation confirming your enrolment on the Victorian electoral roll. Note: Evidence of a 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)	Additional supporting evidence is required if you are: 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 containing the following information about your former spouse/partner: their name. their date of birth. their current address (if known). the date you were married or commenced your domestic relationship. the date you separated. a statement to the effect that you do not live together and have no intention of resuming your relationship. 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, documentation confirming your enrolment on the Victorian electoral roll. Note: Evidence of a 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)

Evidence relating to the transaction

A. Contract to purchase a new or off-the-plan home

Transaction type	If lodging with an approved agent	If lodging with the State Revenue Office
New homes	You must provide: A copy of the exchanged contract of sale, dated and signed by all parties. A copy of the building permit and/or a copy of the domestic building insurance certificate from your contract of sale. A copy of the certificate of occupancy. A written and signed statement from vendor(s) confirming the 'property (stating the address) has never been lived in and that this is the first sale of the property as a residential premises'.	You must provide a copy of: The exchanged contract of sale, dated and signed by all parties. The building permit and/or a copy of the domestic building insurance certificate from your contract of sale. The certificate of occupancy. A written and signed statement from vendor(s) confirming the 'property (stating the address) has never been lived in and that this is the first sale of the property as a residential premises'. Title search showing the applicant(s) as the registered proprietor(s).
Off-the-plan homes	You must provide: A copy of the exchanged contract of sale, dated and signed by all parties.	You must provide a copy of: The exchanged contract of sale, dated and signed by all parties. A title search showing the applicant(s) as the registered proprietor(s).
Further supporting evidence is required for
Purchasing from a related entity or associated party	Not applicable.	You must provide: Evidence that consideration has been paid by the applicant to the vendor. For example, their loan agreement, copies of bank statements of both the vendor and applicant showing payment at settlement (deposit and withdrawal of purchase funds). A copy of a title search showing the applicant(s) as the registered proprietor(s).
Nominee purchaser where you are a related or associated party to the named purchaser in the contract	You must provide: A copy of the nomination form.	You must provide the following: A copy of the nomination form.
Purchasing from a deceased estate where the applicant is not related to the deceased person	Where you are not related to the deceased person and are not a beneficiary under the will of the deceased person, provide a statutory declaration confirming these details.	Where you are not related to the deceased person and are not a beneficiary under the will of the deceased person, provide a statutory declaration confirming these details.
Where you are related to the deceased or are a beneficiary under the will of the deceased	Applications for the FHOG must be lodged with the State Revenue Office directly where the applicant is related to the deceased or is a beneficiary under the will of the deceased.	You must provide the following: A copy of the will and grant of probate. A copy of settlement statement for the estate. Evidence that payment of consideration by the applicant to the estate has occurred. A copy of a title search showing the applicant(s) as the registered proprietor(s).

B. Contract to build a new home

If lodging with an approved agent	If lodging with the State Revenue Office
Provide a copy of the: Title search showing the applicant(s) as the registered proprietor(s) Contract to build that is signed and dated by all parties, and includes the contract date, price and property details.	Provide a copy of the: Contract to build that is signed and dated by all parties, and includes the contract date, price and property details. Title search showing the applicant(s) as the registered proprietor(s). Certificate of Occupancy including the date of issue.

C. Owner builder

If lodging with an approved agent	If lodging with the State Revenue Office
Provide a copy of the: Title search showing the applicant(s) as the registered proprietor(s) Evidence of the date for laying of the foundations (receipts, notice of inspection). Certificate of Occupancy.	Provide a copy of the: Evidence of the date for laying the foundations (receipts, notice of inspection). Certificate of Occupancy. Title search showing the applicant(s) as the registered proprietor(s). Evidence of building costs incurred by the applicant for construction of the home. Evidence submitted must total an amount equal to or greater than the grant and must not include the applicant(s) labour costs.

If lodging with an approved agent

If lodging with the State Revenue Office

Provide a copy of the:

Title search showing the applicant(s) as the registered proprietor(s)
Evidence of the date for laying of the foundations (receipts, notice of inspection).
Certificate of Occupancy.

Provide a copy of the:

Evidence of the date for laying the foundations (receipts, notice of inspection).
Certificate of Occupancy.
Title search showing the applicant(s) as the registered proprietor(s).
Evidence of building costs incurred by the applicant for construction of the home. Evidence submitted must total an amount equal to or greater than the grant and must not include the applicant(s) labour costs.

When will the grant be paid?

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 the SRO. The following table details the various scenarios.

Lodgement category	If lodging with an approved agent	If lodging with the State Revenue Office
Purchase of a new or off-the-plan home	The grant will be paid at date of settlement.	The application will be reviewed within 10 working days and if all documentation has been supplied, the grant will be paid into your nominated EFT account. An application will only be considered after settlement.
Contract to build	The grant will be paid at date of the first progressive payment.	The application will be reviewed within 10 working days and if all documentation has been supplied, the grant will be paid into your nominated EFT account. An application will only be considered after issue of the Certificate of Occupancy.
Owner builder	The grant will be paid on receipt of the Certificate of Occupancy.	The application will be reviewed within 10 working days and if all documentation has been supplied, the grant will be paid into your nominated EFT account. An application will only be considered after issue of the Certificate of Occupancy.
Terms contract	Applications for purchases under a terms contract must be made directly to the SRO.	The application will be reviewed within 10 working days and if all documentation has been supplied, the grant will be paid into your nominated EFT account. An application will only be considered after providing evidence of possession.

Payment of the First Home Owner Grant is subject to written approval by the Commissioner of State Revenue. Your application will be returned to you if it is not fully completed or the required supporting evidence is not attached.

When do I have to move in by and for how long?

At least one applicant must live in the home as their principal place of residence for at least 12 continuous months commencing within 12 months of completion of the eligible transaction (residency requirement).
It is the responsibility of the applicant to satisfy the Commissioner that they have met the residency requirement. Applicants may be required to verify this later by providing evidence supporting their period of occupancy.
Should you not meet the residency requirement, you must notify the SRO in writing within 14 days of this notifiable event, and repay the grant.

Terms used

Applicant - The person applying for a grant who, on completion of the purchase of a home or construction of a new home, will own or hold a relevant interest in the land on which the home is built.

Approved agent - An organisation approved by the SRO that is authorised to process applications for the First Home Owner Grant.

Commencement date of the eligible transaction - Date of contract to purchase or build a home, or for an owner builder it is the date the foundations commenced being laid.

Commissioner - Commissioner of State Revenue Victoria.

Completion of the eligible transaction - When the applicant is entitled to possession of the property under the contract, or the building is ready for occupation as a place of residence and (except for terms contracts) the applicant is registered on the Certificate of Title.

Contract to build - A comprehensive building contract where a builder agrees to build a home, from the time the building starts to when it is finished and ready for occupation.

Consideration - Purchase price or cost of construction of the home.

Eligible transaction - Contract for the purchase of a newly built home, contract to build a home or construct a home as an owner builder on or after 1 July 2013.

Home - A building affixed to land that may be lawfully used as a place of residence and is, in the Commissioner’s opinion, suitable for use as a place of residence.

Natural person - A person (not a company or trust).

New home - A new home means a home that has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence or for the provision of short-term accommodation, and includes a substantially renovated home and a home built to replace demolished premises.

Nominee purchaser - An applicant for the grant who was not a party to the contract of sale, but who was nominated by the purchaser to take a transfer of the property.

Notifiable event - When any part of the eligibility criteria is not met, the applicant(s) must notify the Commissioner within 14 days of the event. An example would be where an applicant is not able to occupy the home as their principal place of residence within 12 months of completion of the eligible transaction.

Off-the-plan - A contract for the purchase of the home on a proposed lot in an unregistered plan of a subdivision of land.

Owner - A person who has a relevant interest in land on which a home is built.

Owner builder - An owner of land who builds a home, or has a home built, on the land without entering into a contract to build.

Permanent resident - A person who holds a permanent residency visa under Section 30 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) or a New Zealand citizen who is the holder of a special category visa under Section 32 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth).

Related or associated party - A person is related to or associated with another party when:

one is the spouse/partner of the other, or
they are related by blood, marriage or adoption, or
they are a shareholder or director of the other party, being a company, or
they are a beneficiary of a trust for which the other party is a trustee, or
the transaction is otherwise not at arm’s length.

Relevant interest - A person with a relevant interest may be described as someone who will have a legal entitlement to occupy the home being bought or constructed. Usually this will be the person(s) registered as proprietor on the title. This commonly is an estate in fee simple. Other forms of interest are defined in the First Home Owner Grant Act 2000. Each person acquiring a relevant interest must be an applicant on the application form.

Residential property - Land in Australia on which there is a home which is lawfully occupied or suitable for occupation. This includes houses, townhouses, units, flats, duplexes, converted warehouses and fixed moveable homes.

Spouse/partner - A person is a spouse of another if they are legally married to each other. A person is a partner of another if they are in a domestic relationship regardless of gender.

SRO - State Revenue Office of Victoria.

Terms contract - A contract of sale where the purchaser has to make 2 or more payments (excluding the deposit) to the vendor after the contract is signed by all parties. The applicant as the purchaser must be in possession under the contract and cannot be registered on title until the final payment is made to the vendor.

Title search - A search on the land which shows the names of the registered owners. A title search can be obtained from Landata.

Guide to completing the application using the online portal

The First Home Owner Grant online application form must only be completed after the home is built or once the home is transferred into your name. If the home is still under construction or settlement has not occurred for the home, please contact the bank assisting with finance.

Terms of use

Applicants must read and agree to the terms of use before starting an application.

You must enter a valid email address. A 6-digit passcode will be sent to that email address, which must be entered within 20 minutes to continue with the application.

Once the code has been entered, you will be issued an application identification number, which can be used if you need to contact us about your application.

Applicant eligibility

Answer Questions 1 to 7 by ticking the relevant 'Yes' or 'No' box.

The answers are designed to establish that the applicant(s) for the grant meets the eligibility criteria.

All persons with a relevant interest in the property, and any spouse/partner of these persons, must be considered when answering these questions.

All decisions relating to the eligibility of an applicant are made by the Commissioner.

Applicant details

All persons who have, or will have, a relevant interest in the property must record their details in this section.

Enter the details of the first applicant. Additional applicants can be added after the first applicant's details have been submitted.

If an applicant has a spouse/partner, there are 2 options. If your spouse/partner is an applicant, they must complete this section.

If your spouse/partner is not an applicant, their details must be recorded later in the application.

Please nominate a postal address for correspondence to be sent on behalf of all applicants.

Other details

In this section the application must answer 'Yes' or 'No' questions about:

Related party transaction
Deceased estate
Indigenous applicants
Australian Defence Force exemption

Spouse/partner details

This section must be completed by the applicant in relation to their spouse/partner who has not already been specified as an applicant.

Property and transaction details

Provide the current title (volume and folio numbers) details of the property. These can be obtained from the transfer of land form, a title search or the contract of sale. If unknown, enter the parent title details.

Provide the expected date of occupancy as owner of the home. Estimate this date if you are unsure.

To be eligible for the grant at least one applicant must occupy the home as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least 12 months, commencing within 12 months of completion of the eligible transaction.

Payment details

You must nominate an account to receive funds electronically (EFT). The account can belong to a person who is not an applicant.

Payment of the grant will be made into the nominated account. Provide details of the name of financial institution, account name, BSB and account number. Failure to provide correct details will cause delays in payment of the grant.

Declaration by applicant

All applicants must read and understand all details in the application before ticking the declaration box.

Declaration by spouse/partner

If an applicant’s spouse/partner is not an applicant, they must read and understand all details in the application before ticking the declaration box.

Supporting documentation

Please upload the required documents with your application. Failure to produce the required documentation will result in processing delays.

Penalties

The State Revenue Office, as part of its role in administering the First Home Owner Grant and Home Buyer Schemes Act 2000, conducts ongoing investigations to ensure that applicants comply with the conditions of the Act. If applicants receive the grant when they are not entitled, or do not comply with the residency requirement, penalties and interest may be imposed. The amount of any penalty which may apply is dependent on the circumstances of each case and is in addition to having to repay the grant. In some circumstances the penalty applied is equal to the amount of the grant received.

Making a false or misleading statement in or in connection with this application

It is an offence to make a false or misleading statement in or in connection with an application for a grant. If it is determined that a person has made such a statement they may be prosecuted.

All applications undergo a rigorous review where applicants are checked for former home ownership in Victoria and interstate. Other checks into spouse/partner status, council records, title details and finance particulars are undertaken on a routine basis.

The information in this lodgement guide is for general guidance only. It should not be relied upon to address every aspect of the First Home Owner Grant and Home Buyer Schemes Act 2000.