First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) Australia — State-by-State Guide (2026)

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) Australia — State-by-State Guide (2026)

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a one-off, tax-free cash payment available to eligible first home buyers who purchase or build a new home in Australia. It is administered by each state and territory government and funded jointly with the federal government.

The FHOG is available on new properties only in most states — it does not apply to established homes. Grant amounts and property value caps vary significantly between states.

FHOG Amounts by State (2026)

The ACT does not have a FHOG but offers stamp duty concessions via the Home Buyer Concession Scheme.

Grant amounts and eligibility criteria may change. Verify current details at your state revenue office.

Who Is Eligible?

While eligibility criteria differ slightly by state, the common requirements are:

• You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• You must be 18 years or older
• You (and any co-purchasers) must be first home buyers — you must not have previously owned residential property in Australia
• The property must be a new home (not previously occupied as a place of residence) in most states
• You must intend to live in the property as your principal place of residence for at least 6–12 months after purchase (depending on state)
• The property must be within the applicable value cap

If you have previously owned an investment property but never lived in it, you may still be eligible in some states — check with your state revenue office.

What Counts as a “New Home”?

For FHOG purposes, a new home generally means:

• A newly built home purchased from a builder or developer (never been occupied)
• A home you contract to build on vacant land
• An off-the-plan apartment or house being purchased before or during construction
• A substantially renovated home (major works, not cosmetic — specific criteria apply)

Established homes (those previously lived in) are generally excluded, except in Tasmania.

How to Apply

FHOG applications are typically lodged through your lender at the time of settlement. Key steps:

1. Check eligibility with your state revenue office before signing a contract
2. Notify your lender early — the FHOG can sometimes be used as part of the deposit or settlement proceeds
3. Complete the application form — provided by your lender or state revenue office
4. Lodge with supporting documents — ID, evidence of contract, proof of occupancy intention
5. Grant is paid at settlement (for new builds) or after the final inspection/certificate of occupancy (for construction loans)

State-by-State Details

New South Wales (NSW)

• Grant: $10,000
• Property cap: $750,000 (combined land and dwelling for new builds)
• Eligible properties: New homes (not off-the-plan resale or established homes)
• Apply via: Revenue NSW or your lender
• Note: The NSW government also offers stamp duty exemptions for first home buyers — see First Home Buyer NSW guide

Victoria (VIC)

• Grant: $10,000 metro; $20,000 regional Victoria
• Property cap: $750,000
• Eligible properties: New homes only
• Apply via: State Revenue Office Victoria or lender
• Note: Regional Victoria includes towns outside Melbourne’s urban growth boundary — check the SRO’s regional postcode list

Queensland (QLD)

• Grant: $30,000 (the highest in Australia)
• Property cap: $750,000
• Eligible properties: New homes only (house, apartment or townhouse never lived in)
• Apply via: Queensland Revenue Office or lender
• Note: QLD’s $30,000 grant is temporary — confirm current amount at time of application

Western Australia (WA)

• Grant: $10,000
• Property cap: $750,000 metro; $1,000,000 in select regional areas
• Eligible properties: New homes only
• Apply via: Revenue WA or lender

South Australia (SA)

• Grant: $15,000
• Property cap: None
• Eligible properties: New homes only
• Apply via: RevenueSA or lender

Tasmania (TAS)

• Grant: $10,000
• Property cap: None
• Eligible properties: New and established homes (Tasmania is the only state where established homes qualify)
• Apply via: State Revenue Office Tasmania or lender

Northern Territory (NT)

• Grant: $10,000
• Property cap: None
• Eligible properties: New homes only
• Apply via: Territory Revenue Office or lender

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

• Grant: Not available
• Alternative: The ACT offers the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, which provides stamp duty concessions to eligible first home buyers. See First Home Buyer ACT guide

Can I Use the FHOG as Part of My Deposit?

In many cases, the FHOG can be used toward the purchase but it is paid at settlement — not at exchange of contracts. This means you typically need to fund the deposit independently at exchange, with the FHOG arriving at settlement.

Some lenders will consider the FHOG when assessing total funds available at settlement, which may reduce the equity gap. Discuss this with your mortgage broker or lender early in the process.

FHOG and the First Home Guarantee

The FHOG and the First Home Guarantee are separate schemes that can be used together. You may be eligible for:

• A $30,000 FHOG (in QLD) and a First Home Guarantee (5% deposit, no LMI) — simultaneously
• The total value of combining these for a QLD buyer on a $500,000 new build is significant

See First Home Guarantee explained and the scheme comparison table for combining strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the First Home Owner Grant available for existing homes? In most states, the FHOG only applies to new homes — properties that have never been lived in. Tasmania is the exception, where established homes also qualify. Check your state revenue office for the specific definition of “new home.”

Can I get the FHOG and stamp duty concessions at the same time? Yes. The FHOG and first home buyer stamp duty concessions are separate entitlements. Eligible buyers may claim both — for example, in NSW a first home buyer purchasing a $700,000 new home could receive the $10,000 FHOG and pay zero stamp duty (as the $800,000 exemption threshold applies).

Do I have to live in the property to get the FHOG? Yes. You must occupy the property as your principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least 6–12 months (depending on state) after settlement or completion of construction. Failure to occupy can result in the grant being clawed back.

What if I have previously owned investment property — am I eligible? Eligibility rules vary by state. Generally, if you have previously owned residential property in Australia (including investment property), you are not eligible for the FHOG. Some states have specific provisions — check with your state revenue office.

Related Guides

• First Home Guarantee Explained
• First Home Buyer Grants and Concessions by State
• First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Exemptions
• First Home Buyer Hub

This article provides general information only. FHOG amounts, caps and eligibility criteria can change. Always verify current details with your state or territory revenue office. For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a licensed mortgage broker or financial adviser. Find one through MoneySmart.