First Home Owner Grant Eligibility: Historical Amounts and Verified Corrections

This article was written by Mary Nebotakis, Managing Director of Natloans (B. Eco, Dip. Financial Services) and first published in August 2019. It provides background on the First Home Buyer's Grant scheme. The figures, eligibility thresholds and state-specific amounts below reflect the article as published and last modified in September 2025; they are not independently verified as current. Always confirm current grant amounts, property caps and eligibility rules directly with your relevant state or territory revenue authority before making any financial decisions.

What Is the First Home Buyer's Grant?

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a state- or territory-administered payment, historically introduced in connection with GST in 2000. It is distinct from the former First Home Guarantee and the current Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme. The captured Natloans article uses informal naming; FHBG should not be used here as an acronym for a cash grant.

Key characteristics of the grant as described in the source article:

  • One-off payment: The grant is paid once, not as an ongoing benefit.
  • Not means tested, as stated in the historical source: do not extrapolate this description to every current housing-assistance scheme. Property, applicant, ownership and residency rules still matter, and separate schemes can apply income tests.
  • Purpose-restricted: The payment is only available for the purchase of a home in which you intend to live. It is not available for investment properties.
  • State-administered: The amount and specific conditions differ by state and territory.

The article notes that the grant could be used as a deposit contribution, as leverage when applying for a home loan, or as a contribution toward construction costs. These are illustrative uses only; confirm how the grant may be applied in your specific circumstances with your broker or lender.

Grant Amounts by State and Territory (As Published — Verify Current Figures)

The following table reproduces the amounts stated in the source article. These figures carry the article's original publication and modification dates (published August 2019, last modified September 2025) and must be confirmed with your state or territory authority, as grant amounts and eligibility rules change over time.

State / Territory Amount (as published) Notes
Victoria $10,000 – $20,000 Higher amount applies to new homes in regional areas (see footnote 1 in source)
Tasmania $10,000 – $20,000 Historical source footnote 2 refers to contracts between January 2016 and 30 June 2019; not a current window
New South Wales $10,000 —
South Australia $15,000 —
Queensland $20,000 —
Western Australia $10,000 —
Northern Territory $10,000 – $26,000 Historical source footnote 3 describes $10,000 for a renovation grant and $26,000 for a new home; these are not current amounts verified in this review
Australian Capital Territory $7,000 —

Important: the January 2016–30 June 2019 date footnote belongs to Tasmania in the original table, not Northern Territory. The original table mixes historic periods and grant types. Retain it as an archival source statement only; even the September 2025 modification date does not prove that its figures were updated. ACT’s $7,000 entry is obsolete for new transactions, as explained below.

General Eligibility Criteria

The following records the historical article’s simplified checklist, not a current national eligibility test. In particular, “never owned property” and a universal 12-month settlement deadline are too broad. Prior ownership, occupation, partner history, transaction type and exceptions must be checked under the relevant jurisdiction’s rules. Current Victorian and ACT corrections follow.

  • You have never previously received the First Home Buyer's Grant.
  • You have never previously owned a property.
  • You meet the minimum age requirement for your state (typically 18 years of age).
  • You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
  • You intend to live in the property for at least the minimum period required — this requirement differs by state and territory.
  • The property is not being purchased as an investment property.
  • You are purchasing as a private individual, not through a business or other legal entity.
  • You apply for the grant within 12 months of settlement on the property.

Meeting all of the above does not guarantee approval; each state and territory applies its own detailed rules, property value caps and other conditions. The article recommends checking with your local government authority to confirm you meet all requirements before proceeding.

How the Grant Might Fit Into Your Home Purchase

The article suggests the grant could potentially be used as part of a deposit, as supporting evidence when applying for a home loan, or as a contribution toward building costs. Whether and how a lender will treat the grant as part of your deposit or borrowing capacity depends on the lender's own policies and your overall financial position. Discuss this with a mortgage broker or your lender before assuming the grant will satisfy a specific requirement.

If you are considering home renovations alongside a purchase, Natloans also has information on financing home renovations and line of credit options, which may be relevant depending on your situation.

Questions and Answers

Is this article a current eligibility check for a first-home grant?

No. This page is a background article originally published in 2019. The grant amounts, eligibility conditions and any date-specific references it contains should be treated as historical context rather than current guidance. Before making any decisions, check the current requirements with the relevant state or territory revenue authority. You can also discuss your circumstances with Natloans. Source: natloans.com.au

Does the grant apply to investment properties?

No. According to the source article, the grant is only available for a property in which you intend to live. It explicitly states the grant is not available for investment properties. Confirm the owner-occupier residency requirements for your state or territory with the relevant authority.

Is the grant means tested?

The article states the grant is not means tested, meaning your income and general financial situation do not affect your eligibility for the grant itself. However, individual state and territory rules may impose other conditions, such as property value caps. Confirm the full criteria with your state revenue office.

What is the application deadline mentioned in the article?

The article states you must apply for the grant within 12 months of settlement on the home. Whether this timeframe still applies in your state should be confirmed with the relevant authority, as rules can change.

Can I use the grant as a deposit?

The article suggests the grant could potentially serve as a deposit contribution or leverage for a home loan. Whether a lender will accept the grant as part of your deposit depends on that lender's specific policies and your overall financial position. Speak with a mortgage broker or lender for advice relevant to your situation.

Does the eligibility vary between states?

Yes. The article is explicit that while general eligibility principles apply broadly, specific rules, amounts, property types and other conditions vary by state and territory. Always check with your local government or state revenue authority for the rules that apply to you.

Can I receive the grant if I have previously owned a property?

Prior ownership does not produce a universal answer. Victorian SRO guidance allows some applicants who acquired property on or after 1 July 2000 but did not occupy it as their home, and provides special relief for eligible victim-survivors of family violence. Partner history and detailed criteria also matter. Ask the relevant authority rather than treating the article’s “never owned” wording as a national prohibition.

Where can I start researching current first-home purchase costs and assistance?

ASIC's Moneysmart home-buying guide links to relevant government information and explains purchase costs. A useful starting point is moneysmart.gov.au/home-loans/buying-a-house/. You can also discuss your circumstances with Natloans. Source: natloans.com.au

Does purchasing through a company or trust affect eligibility?

The article states you must purchase as a private individual, not as part of a business or other entity. If you are considering purchasing through a company, trust or similar structure, you should seek advice from a qualified professional and confirm eligibility with the relevant authority before proceeding.

How do I find out the current grant amount in my state?

Contact your state or territory revenue office directly, or visit their official website. The amounts in this article were published in 2019 and last modified in September 2025; they are not guaranteed to reflect the current position. Natloans can also assist you in understanding how the grant may interact with your loan application.

Next Steps

  • Confirm current grant details: Visit your state or territory revenue authority's website or contact them directly to verify current amounts, property value caps and eligibility conditions.
  • Research purchase costs: ASIC's Moneysmart guide at moneysmart.gov.au is a useful starting point for understanding the full costs of buying a home.
  • Speak with Natloans: A mortgage broker can help you understand how the grant may interact with your borrowing capacity and deposit requirements. Contact Natloans to discuss your circumstances.
  • Explore related topics: If you are also considering renovations or flexible financing, see Natloans' pages on home renovation financing and line of credit options.

Source References

Verified corrections: current guidance checked 15 October 2026

Victoria: SRO describes a $10,000 grant for eligible new homes worth up to $750,000. It considers spouse or partner history even if they are not on title. Applicants generally must be natural persons aged 18 or older; citizenship and residency conditions apply, with specific New Zealand-citizen provisions. At least one applicant normally occupies the property for 12 months starting within 12 months of settlement or construction completion; exceptions exist. Apply through an approved agent, or directly within 12 months of settlement or build completion. Read the full SRO eligibility guidance. These points are not a complete individual assessment.

ACT: First Home Owner Grant payments ceased for transactions commencing from 1 July 2019. The original $7,000 entry relates to eligible transactions commencing 1 January 2017–30 June 2019. The replacement assistance is the Home Buyer Concession Scheme; it is not the same cash payment. ACT Revenue Office confirmation.

The remaining historical state and territory figures above have not been adopted as current amounts. Check the relevant revenue authority for the property’s location, transaction date, eligible home type, price ceiling, applicant and partner history, occupation requirements and application deadline. A grant may be paid at a different stage from the contract deposit; do not assume it will cover an upfront deposit or guarantee finance.

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