First home owner grant

You may be able to claim the first home owner grant when buying or building your first home.

Use the eligibility tester below to determine if you are eligible for the grant.

Note: This eligibility tester is designed to help you determine if you are eligible for the grant; however, it does not replace the formal application and approval process.

Begin at question 1

Question 1

Have you, your spouse or another applicant ever been paid the first home owner grant before (anywhere in Australia)?

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Question 2

Was the grant (and any related penalty amount) paid back because the applicants did not meet the eligibility criteria?

  • Yes

    Go to question 3

  • No

    If your former spouse was the primary applicant (i.e. he/she owned 100% of the property) in the previous grant application, you may still be eligible for the first home owner grant if:

    • you and your spouse have separated

      and

    • you can prove that there is no possibility that you will reconcile with your spouse.

    Go to message 26

Begin at question 1

Question 3

Before 1 July 2000, did you, your spouse or any other applicant own residential property in Australia?

Note: This includes owning the property either jointly, separately or with some other person.

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Question 4

From 1 July 2000, have you, your spouse or another applicant owned residential property in Australia?

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Question 5

Did you, your spouse or another applicant live in that particular property for any period of time?

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Question 6

At the time of buying or building your home, was each applicant at least 18 years old?

  • Yes

    Go to question 7

  • No

    We generally do not pay the grant to applicants under 18; however, we may pay the grant in special circumstances.

    If you believe that your circumstances are exceptional, and you meet the other grant criteria, you may apply for the grant. When applying, include a covering letter stating all relevant details.

    Go to message 26

Begin at question 1

Question 7

Are all applicants individuals (e.g. not a company or a person acting as trustee)?

  • Yes

    Go to question 8

  • No

    You may be eligible for the grant if you are a trustee of a trust (other than a discretionary or unit trust) and all the beneficiaries are individuals under a legal disability who will live in the home as their principal place of residence. If this is the case, select Yes and continue answering as if you were the beneficiary.

    Go to message 26

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Question 8

Are you an Australian citizen or permanent resident?

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Question 9

Are any of the other applicants Australian citizens or permanent residents?

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Question 10

Will you move into the property within 12 months and live there for a continuous period of at least 6 months as your principal place of residence?

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Question 11

Is the consideration for the home less than the market value of the home?

  • Yes

    You will need to provide evidence of the market value of the home when applying for the grant.

    Note: If the consideration is less than $7,000, then the grant amount paid will equal the consideration.

    Go to question 12

  • No

    Go to question 12

Begin at question 1

Question 12

Is your home being bought from, or built by a related person?

  • Yes

    You will need to provide evidence of the market value of the home when applying for the grant.

    Go to question 13

  • No

    Go to question 13

Begin at question 1

Question 13

Have you or another applicant received financial help (either directly or indirectly) to buy or build your home?

  • Yes

    You must provide a statutory declaration from each applicant setting out a comprehensive description of the financial help received, or expected to be received, including details relating to monetary amounts owing or gifted. If the financial agreement is in writing (i.e. a loan agreement or deed) you must provide a copy of that document.

    Go to question 14

  • No

    Go to question 16

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Question 14

Is the person providing financial help a related person to any of the applicants?

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Question 15

Will the related person live in or use the home frequently?

  • Yes

    You must provide a statutory declaration from each applicant outlining the family reasons why the related person will be living in or using the home frequently.

    Go to question 16

  • No

    Go to question 16

Begin at question 1

Question 16

Are you ...

  • Buying your home—established home?

    Go to question 17

  • Buying your home—off-the-plan?

    Before the grant can be paid, you must provide the following:

    • a registration confirmation statement showing that your name was on the title of the property when settlement occurred
    • a copy of the final inspection report.

    Go to question 17

  • Buying your home—instalment contract?

    Before the grant can be paid, you must meet the following criteria:

    • The contract has been operating for at least 1 year.
    • You have paid at least 10% of the purchase price or $7,000, whichever is greater.
    • You are not in default of the contract.
    • You have occupied your home as your principal place of residence.

    Go to question 17

  • Having a home built by someone else (e.g. entering into a contract to build)?

    Go to question 18

  • Building your own home (as an owner-builder)?

    Go to question 19

  • None of the above

    Go to message 26

Begin at question 1

Question 17

When did you buy your home (i.e. contract date)?

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Question 18

When did you build your home (i.e. contract date)?

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Question 19

When did you lay the foundations?

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Question 20

Is either the consideration or the unencumbered value of the home $750,000 or more?

  • Yes

    The first home owner grant cap of $750,000 applies to this transaction.

    Go to message 26

  • No

    Go to message 27

Begin at question 1

Question 21

Is either the consideration or the unencumbered value of the home $1 million or more?

  • Yes

    The first home owner grant cap of $1 million applies to this transaction.

    Go to message 26

  • No

    Go to message 27

Begin at question 1

Question 22

Is the consideration for the building contract plus the unencumbered value of the land $750,000 or more?

  • Yes

    The first home owner grant cap of $750,000 applies to this transaction.

    Go to message 26

  • No

    Go to message 27

Begin at question 1

Question 23

Is the consideration for the building contract plus the unencumbered value of the land $1 million or more?

  • Yes

    The first home owner grant cap of $1 million applies to this transaction.

    Go to message 26

  • No

    Go to message 27

Begin at question 1

Question 24

Is the consideration for the building of the home by the owner-builder plus the unencumbered value of the land $750,000 or more?

  • Yes

    The first home owner grant cap of $750,000 applies to this transaction.

    Go to message 26

  • No

    Go to message 27

Begin at question 1

Question 25

Is the consideration for the building of the home by the owner-builder plus the unencumbered value of the land $1 million or more?

  • Yes

    The first home owner grant cap of $1 million applies to this transaction.

    Go to message 26

  • No

    Go to message 27

Message 26

Based on the information you provided, you are not eligible for the first home owner grant.

Please print this eligibility tester for your records.

Message 27

Based on the information you provided, you are eligible for the first home owner grant.

Note: We look at the full facts and circumstances of each application before approving the grant. Even if you meet the eligibility criteria, some circumstances may stop you getting the grant. If we have asked you to provide more information, on further investigation we may decide that you are not eligible for the grant. You may also be asked to supply additional information.

To apply for the grant, complete the application form (PDF 750 K).

Please print this eligibility tester for your records.

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Last reviewed 6 April 2011