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Home > Frequently asked questions > Frequently asked questions - Eligibility

Frequently asked questions - Eligibility

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Who is eligible for the Grant?

You are eligible if:

You are at least 18 years of age on the date of entering into the eligible transaction (An exemption from this requirement may be considered in certain circumstances)

You are buying or building your first home as a natural person, not as a company or trust
You, or a joint applicant, are an Australian citizen or a permanent resident
You and your spouse have not previously owned an interest in land in Australia that had a residence on it prior to 1 July 2000 (This includes investment homes)
You and your spouse have not previously owned an interest in land in Australia that had a residence on or after 1 July 2000 in which you or your spouse has resided

You are married or have been living in a de facto relationship for more than two years, and neither you nor your spouse can have owned a home, individually or with any other person.

Further (in meeting the requirements for an 'eligible transaction'):

You must have entered into a contract made on or after 1 July 2000 for the purchase of a home in Queensland or

You must have entered into a comprehensive home building contract (made on or after 1 July 2000) as the owner of land in Queensland or, by the contract's completion, be the owner of the land on which the home is to be built; or

You must have commenced the building of a home in Queensland as an owner builder if the building work starts on or after 1 July 2000.

Note:

All applicants who enter into an eligible transaction before 1 January 2004 must occupy the home as their principal place of residence within one year of the completion of the transaction to which the application relates.

All applicants who enter into an eligible transaction on or after 1 January 2004 must occupy the home as their principal place of residence within one year of completion of the eligible transaction and remain in continuous occupation for a period of at least six months.

All owners of the home must be an applicant on the Grant application.

Neither the applicant nor the applicant's spouse are entitled to the Grant if either have received an earlier grant.

I have owned an investment home previously. Can I still be eligible for the Grant?

A person is not eligible if they or their spouse (including de facto spouse) have held a relevant interest in any residential property in Australia prior to 1 July 2000.

However, a person may be eligible if they or their spouse (including de facto spouse) have held a relevant interest in residential property in Australia on or after 1 July 2000 and they have not resided in that property.

If I am divorced, and my previous partner owned a home in their own right, am I eligible for the Grant?

If you are divorced, you are not required to take into account property in which you did not hold a relevant interest.

Provided that you have not had a relevant interest in a previous residential property and all other eligibility criteria have been met, you may be eligible for the Grant.

If my partner has previously owned vacant land but not a home, will we be eligible for the Grant on the purchase or construction of our first home?

Yes. Vacant land is not regarded as residential property for the purposes of the First Home Owner Grant.

If I have owned residential property in any other State or Territory, will I be eligible for the Grant if I purchase a home in Queensland?

If you owned the property prior to 1 July 2000 you will not be eligible.

If you purchased the property on or after 1 July 2000 and did not take up residence then you may still be eligible.

If I inherit an interest in a residential property, can I apply for the Grant when I purchase or build my first home?

A person is not eligible if they or their spouse (including de facto spouse) has had a relevant interest in any residential property in Australia prior to 1 July 2000 whether they lived in it or not.

However, a person may be eligible if they or their spouse (including de facto spouse) has only ever had a relevant interest in residential property in Australia after 1 July 2000 and they have not resided in that property.

What if I have owned property in another country?

The rule regarding previous ownership applies only to homes within Australia.

If I have owned vacant land or a commercial property prior to 1 July 2000, would I be disqualified from getting the Grant?

Provided that you meet all the eligibility criteria and the commercial property did not include a residence, for example: a shop with a residence attached, you may still be eligible.

I am an owner builder so I haven't entered into a building contract. What criteria do I have to meet?

You must not have commenced any building work prior to 1 July 2000.

Commencement is defined as the laying of foundations as evidenced by your inspection reports.

You must also meet all other eligibility criteria.

Can a trust or a company apply for the Grant?

No. A company and/or trust would not be eligible to receive the Grant.

Are permanent residents or New Zealand citizens able to apply for the Grant?

Permanent residents may be eligible to receive the Grant. For the purposes of the First Home Owner Grant a permanent resident is:

the holder of a permanent visa as defined by the Migration Act 1958 (Cwlth), section 30(1); or

a New Zealand citizen who is the holder of a special category visa as defined by the Migration Act 1958 (Cwlth), section 32

Permanent residents, when lodging their application, will need to provide proof they hold a permanent visa such as a copy of their passport showing photographic identification and the page of the passport showing the valid visa.

New Zealand citizens, when lodging their application, will need to provide proof they hold a special category visa such as a copy of their passport showing photographic identification and the page of the passport showing the date of entry stamp into Australia.