Am I still eligible for the FHOG if my de facto partner already owns a house?

As a first-time home buyer, you may be able to take advantage of a range of exemptions and concessions that are designed to help you purchase your first home sooner. However, if you’re thinking of buying a property with your partner, their homeowner status could impact your ability to qualify for the First Home Buyers Grant (FHBG).

What is the First Home Owners Grant?

The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG), also known as the First Home Buyers Grant, is an Australian Government funded scheme that’s intended to partly offset the effect of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on buying or building a home.

Under the scheme, a one-off grant is payable to first homeowners who satisfy all the eligibility criteria. Depending on where you live, this grant provides eligible first-time home buyers anywhere from $10,000 or $30,000 towards building or buying their first new or substantially renovated home.

While the FHOG is a federal initiative, it’s individually facilitated and administered by the states and territories, meaning they each have their own set of FHOG rules and eligibility requirements.

How does the FHOG work?

While the grant varies slightly depending on where you live, here’s a general overview of how it works.

Eligibility criteria

In order to receive the FHOG, you must meet the relevant eligibility criteria. This typically covers:

• First-time buyer status: This grant is specifically available for first-time buyers, so you can’t have previously owned or held an interest in any residential property in Australia.
• Age and citizenship: You must be at least 18 years old and an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• Residence requirements: You must occupy the home as your principal place of residence within 12 months of purchase or completion and live there for a minimum continuous period of six months.
• Property status: The property must be a newly built home, significantly renovated or a house and land package. Some states also provide grants for off-the-plan properties.
• Property value caps: The property must fall below a certain value, which varies by state or territory.

Grant amount

The amount you receive as part of the grant varies depending on the state or territory and the type of property being purchased.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how much you might be able to get based on your state or territory:

• Queensland: The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) gives eligible first-time home buyers $15,000 or $30,000 towards buying or building a new home in QLD.
• New South Wales: In NSW, a $10,000 First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is available when you buy or build your first new home.
• The Australian Capital Territory: The home buyer concession scheme (HBCS) replaced the FHOG in the ACT on 1 July 2019. Properties purchased on or after 1 July 2024 that are less than or equal to $1,000,000 won’t have to pay a concessional duty.
• Victoria: In VIC, if you’re buying or building a new home valued at up to $750,000, you may be eligible for a First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) of $10,000.
• Tasmania: From 1 July 2024, a first home owner grant of $10,000 is available to eligible applicants who purchase or build a new home in TAS.
• South Australia: If you’re a first home buyer, you may be eligible for the first home owner grant of up to $15,000 when you buy or build a new home, including a house, flat, unit, townhouse or apartment.
• Western Australia: In WA, you may be eligible for a $10,000 grant to buy or build a new residential property for use as your principal place of residence.
• Northern Territory: The FHOG offers a $10,000 grant to buy or build a new home in the NT.

Application process

To apply for the FHOG, you can lodge the application yourself directly through the state or territory revenue office. Alternatively, your lender might be able to lodge your application on your behalf.

As part of your submission, you’ll also need to provide proof of identity, proof of purchase or building contract and other relevant documents such as proof of citizenship or residency status.

Once your application is assessed and approved, the grant is usually paid directly to your lender to help with your deposit or construction costs.

Please note that Unloan is not an Agent for any Government Concessions or Grants. If you’re looking to use any of the eligible grants, please contact your conveyancer or the relative Office of State Revenue.

FHOG eligibility requirements

Each state and territory has its own eligibility requirements when it comes to the FHOG. That said, if you’re planning on buying a property with your de facto partner, you won’t be eligible to receive the FHOG if:

• You or your partner have previously received a first home owner grant in any state or territory of Australia, or
• You or your partner have previously owned a residential property in Australia.

However, if you plan on buying a home by yourself without your de facto partner in tow, you may still be eligible to receive the FHOG. You’ll just need to make sure you meet the other eligibility requirements. Some states and territories may also offer additional incentives or concessions for first-home buyers, like stamp duty concessions or exemptions.

For more information on the First Home Owners Grant, you can head to the firsthome.gov.au website. From here, you’ll be able to read up on the requirements set by your state or territory.

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Please note, if you are eligible for the First Home Buyer Grant, these funds can't contribute to your 20% deposit. Please speak to your conveyancer on how best to approach this. This content has been created for educational purposes only. Unloan may not provide all features discussed. Visit our product page here to learn more about our home loan features.  

This article is intended to provide general information only. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as financial product advice. Please consider seeking independent taxation and financial advice before making any decision based on this information.