How much is the First Home Owner Grant in Australia?

The First Home Owner Grant varies by state: NSW $10,000, VIC $10,000-$20,000, QLD up to $30,000 during boost periods, WA $10,000-$20,000, SA $15,000, TAS up to $30,000. The ACT does not offer a traditional FHOG but has a separate concession scheme. Amounts change periodically so always verify current rates.

Can I get the First Home Owner Grant for an established home?

Generally no. Most state FHOG schemes only apply to new homes, off-the-plan purchases, or substantially renovated properties. However, separate stamp duty concessions and exemptions often DO apply to established homes for first home buyers.

What is the Home Guarantee Scheme?

The Home Guarantee Scheme is a federal program that lets eligible first home buyers purchase with a deposit as low as 5% (or 2% for single parents) without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance, by having the government guarantee part of the loan.

Property & First Home Buyers 📅 2025-07-03 ⏱ 11 min read

First Home Buyer Grants Australia 2025: Every State Compared

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MegaCalcOnline Finance Team

Australian tax and finance specialists · Updated 2025-07-03

Complete guide to First Home Owner Grants (FHOG) and first home buyer concessions across every Australian state and territory in 2025, including eligibility criteria and how to apply.

What Is the First Home Owner Grant?

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a one-off payment from state and territory governments to help first home buyers purchase or build their first home. It is separate from stamp duty concessions — many first home buyers receive both the grant AND a stamp duty discount, significantly reducing the upfront cost of buying.

Each state administers its own grant with different amounts, eligibility criteria, and property value caps. This guide breaks down every state and territory for 2025.

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New South Wales

Scheme	Amount/Benefit	Eligibility
First Home Owner Grant	$10,000	New homes valued up to $600,000, or vacant land + building contract up to $750,000
First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme	Full stamp duty exemption	Homes (new or existing) under $800,000
	Concessional stamp duty	Homes between $800,000 – $1,000,000
First Home Buyer Choice (optional)	Annual property tax instead of stamp duty	Homes up to $1.5 million (check current status as this scheme has changed)

Victoria

Scheme	Amount/Benefit	Eligibility
First Home Owner Grant	$10,000 (metro) / $20,000 (regional)	New homes up to $750,000
Stamp duty exemption	Full exemption	Homes (new or existing) under $600,000
Stamp duty concession	Sliding scale concession	Homes between $600,001 – $750,000

Queensland

Scheme	Amount/Benefit	Eligibility
First Home Owner Grant (boosted rate)	$30,000	New homes — boosted rate available for contracts signed in eligible periods, check current QLD Government status as this reverts to $15,000 after the boost period ends
First Home Concession (stamp duty)	Concession on transfer duty	Homes under $550,000 (owner-occupied)
First Home Vacant Land Concession	Concession on transfer duty	Vacant land under $400,000

⚠️ Queensland's boosted grant: QLD has periodically boosted its FHOG from $15,000 to $30,000 as a temporary measure. Always check the Queensland Government's First Home Owner Grant page for the current rate before budgeting, as boost periods have specific start and end dates.

Western Australia

Scheme	Amount/Benefit	Eligibility
First Home Owner Grant	$10,000 (south-west) / $20,000 (rest of state)	New homes up to $750,000 (south-west) or $1,000,000 (rest of state)
Stamp duty exemption	Full exemption	Homes under $430,000
Stamp duty concession	Sliding scale concession	Homes between $430,001 – $530,000

South Australia

Scheme	Amount/Benefit	Eligibility
First Home Owner Grant	$15,000	New homes — no upper value cap as of recent changes, but check current SA Government guidelines
Stamp duty	No specific first home buyer stamp duty concession	Standard transfer duty rates apply, though the FHOG offsets some of this cost

Tasmania

Scheme	Amount/Benefit	Eligibility
First Home Owner Grant	$30,000	New homes (this has been a temporarily boosted rate in recent years — verify current amount)
Stamp duty concession	50% discount on duty	Established homes under $600,000 (eligible first home buyers)

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT does not offer a traditional First Home Owner Grant. Instead, it has progressively moved away from stamp duty toward an ongoing annual land tax (Rates) system as part of long-term tax reform.

Scheme	Amount/Benefit	Eligibility
Home Buyer Concession Scheme	Stamp duty exemption or concession	Income-tested — eligibility depends on household income and number of dependents

Northern Territory

Scheme	Amount/Benefit	Eligibility
FreshStart New Home Grant	Up to $50,000 (or other amount — check current NT Government rate)	New homes, off-the-plan purchases, or substantially renovated homes
HomeGrown Territory program	Various concessions	Conditions vary — check NT Government Housing site for current eligibility

✅ Grant amounts change frequently: State governments regularly adjust grant amounts, especially in response to housing affordability pressures or as part of state budgets. Always verify the current amount on your state government's official housing website before relying on these figures for financial planning.

Federal Schemes — The Home Guarantee Scheme

Beyond state-based grants, the Federal Government runs the Home Guarantee Scheme, which helps eligible buyers purchase with a smaller deposit by guaranteeing part of the loan (avoiding the need for Lenders Mortgage Insurance):

Scheme	What It Does	Who's Eligible
First Home Guarantee	Buy with as little as 5% deposit, no LMI	First home buyers meeting income caps and property price caps (vary by region)
Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee	Buy with 5% deposit in regional areas, no LMI	First home buyers purchasing in eligible regional locations
Family Home Guarantee	Buy with as little as 2% deposit, no LMI	Single parents with dependent children

These guarantees do not provide cash — they reduce the deposit required by allowing eligible buyers to avoid paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance, which can otherwise cost thousands of dollars on a low-deposit loan.

From July 2025 — Expanded Eligibility

The government has periodically expanded these schemes, including removing income caps for some guarantees and increasing place numbers. Check housingaustralia.gov.au for the latest eligibility criteria and available places, as these schemes are often capped by a limited number of places per year.

How to Apply for First Home Buyer Grants

Check your eligibility — Most schemes require you (and your spouse/partner) to never have owned property in Australia before, and the property must be your principal place of residence.
Apply through your lender or state revenue office — Many grants can be applied for as part of your home loan settlement process through your bank or broker. Others require a direct application to your state's revenue office.
Provide required documentation — Typically includes proof of identity, the contract of sale, evidence of deposit, and a statutory declaration confirming first home buyer status.
Settlement timing — Most grants are paid at settlement (for established homes) or at the first progress payment (for new builds/off-the-plan purchases).

⚠️ Don't assume eligibility — verify it. Common disqualifiers include previously owning an investment property (even if you never lived in it, in some states), being on a temporary visa (permanent residency or citizenship is usually required), or exceeding income or property value caps. Always check directly with your state revenue office before relying on grant eligibility in your budget.

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⚠️ General Information Only: This article provides general educational information about Australian taxation and finance. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with the ATO (ato.gov.au) or consult a registered professional.