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Frequently Asked Questions

First Home Owner Grant Eligibility FAQs:


My partner and I are both eligible for the First Home Owner Grant. When we buy our first home together, will we receive the Grant twice? Unfortunately the First Home Owners Grant is payable per property purchase, not per individual. So assuming you are both eligible for the Grant and you purchase your first home together, you will only receive one payment.

If I buy an investment property now, am I still eligible for the First Home Owner Grant when I buy my own home later on?
Yes. You will not be able to claim the First Home Owner Grant on the investment property, however you will still be eligible to claim the First Home Owner Grant when you subsequently purchase your own home, providing you meet all the other eligibility criteria for the Grant.

I am a New Zealand citizen living in Australia. Am I eligible for the first home buyers grant?
It depends on your residency status. If you are an Australian permanent resident (hold a permanent visa) or a New Zealand citizen and hold a special category visa, then you will be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant.

When you apply for the Grant you will need to provide proof of your permanent residency or that you hold a special category visa. As special category visas are electronically recorded and not stamped on the passport, you will also need to provide evidence that you are residing in Australia at the time of the application. This can be proved by submitting copies of bills, rental agreements etc.

I previously owned a home with my ex-partner. When we separated we sold the property. Am I now eligible for the First Home Owner Grant when I purchase a home with my new partner?
One of the criteria for the Grant is that you must not have previously owned or co-owned a home and lived in it. So assuming you lived in the house with your ex-partner, and the property was in both names, you will not be eligible to receive the Grant now.

I have already received the first home owner grant when I bought my home. Can my partner now buy a property in his name only and claim the grant?
One of the criteria for the First Home Owner Grant is that neither you, nor your spouse / partner, have claimed the Grant before. Unfortunately because you have already received the Grant, your partner will not be able to claim the Grant even if the property is purchased in his sole name.

I own a home in Victoria. I am selling and moving to Sydney. Am I eligible for the First Home Owner Grant when I buy in NSW?
No. One of the criteria for the First Home Owner Grant is that neither you nor your spouse own or have owned a home in any State or Territory in Australia. Since you already own a home you will not be eligible for the Grant again.

  
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I previously owned an investment property which I have since sold. Do I qualify for the First Home Owner Grant?
I'm building a unit attached to my parents' house. Am I eligible for the First Home Owner Grant?
It depends on when you bought the investment property.

If you the investment property prior to 1 July 2000 you will not be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant.

However, if you did not own a share of the property until or after 1 July 2000, you will still be eligible for the Grant, providing you did not live in the property at all, ie it was for investment purposes only.

It is recognised that there are some instances where the building of a self-contained dwelling annexed to an existing home and paid for by the person intending to occupy it, could constitute the building of a first home. However, the Chief Commissioner must be satisfied that the new dwelling is not merely an extension of the existing home by the owner.

In order to qualify as a self-contained dwelling it must have a bedroom/living area, a bathroom (including a toilet) and kitchen facilities.

If a grant is paid to a person in this situation, the payment is conditional on the applicant continuing to reside in the dwelling for a period of at least 12 months after construction of the dwelling.

Contact the Office of State Revenue in your State to confirm exactly the criteria you will need to meet to qualify in these circumstances.

Please note, since you are building on land owned by someone other than yourself, in order to obtain a home loan and to be registered on Title by the Land Titles Office, the land on which you build must be a separate lot in a Deposited Plan and the land must be transferred to you prior to commencement of construction.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for your information only and should not be construed as provision of advice. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained is accurate, the information should not be relied upon or used as a substitute for independent professional advice.. We strongly recommend that you seek independent professional advice specific to your individual circumstances