The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a name that gets thrown around when considering becoming a new homeowner for the first time. And, you may already know the major key point – that first home buyers receive $10,000 towards their new home. However, you may not know some of the nitty and gritty details about this government grant for building new houses.
A $10,000 helping hand
The First Home Owners Grant (of FHOG) is a Government-funded one-off payment of $10,000 to help assist first home buyers to buy or build a residential property. It is a grant to encourage individuals or couples to buy or build a new home to serve as their permanent place of residence.
When you’re applying for a loan through an approved lender/agent, you will also fill out the First Home Owners Grant application, which the lender will process with your loan application. Otherwise, you can apply for the grant directly through the Department of Finance website.
A grant to get you moving
The grant is not a cash payment made directly to the person, rather it is given to your home lender, bank or mortgage broker after you have signed the contract. As such, the grant is directly is applied to your home loan to reduce existing due payment.
Only one grant is given per eligible transaction – so if there are two people buying a house together they would only receive one grant. The grant is not available for the purchase of an established home or for renovations to your existing home.
Just for first home buyers
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have to be a first time home buyer who has not previously owned or had an interest in a property in Australia either separately or jointly.
• Must intend to be owner-occupiers of the property for at least 6 months.
• Couples are only eligible if they are married or in a de-facto relationship with each other.
• Anyone of the couple must have not received any other grants related to building or purchasing a home.
When you’re applying for a loan through an approved lender/agent, you will also fill out the First Home Owners Grant application, which the lender will process with your loan application. Otherwise, you can apply for the grant directly through the WA Government website.
The grant payment depends on the type of transaction and how your application was submitted.
*If you have applied through an approved agent, they will receive the grant on your behalf 15 days after you have signed the contract. If you have applied through the DOF, you’ll receive the grant.
Want to find out if you’re eligible for the First Home Owners Grant? Send us a message and we’ll be in touch!
To qualify for the First Home Owners Grant, the residential property you must be buying or building only include the following:
After 12 months of settlement after purchasing your new home or 12 months after building your home, you must occupy the house as your primary place of residence for a continuous period of at least 6 months.
The First Home Owners Grant was introduced in 2000 as a way to assist first home buyers on their journey to purchasing their first home. The grant is available as a one-off payment to those over the age of 18, who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.
To be eligible for the First Home Buyers Grant, you must be over the age of 18, intend to occupy the property for at least six months and be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Only one First Home Owner Grant is given per eligible transaction. Therefore, if a couple is looking to purchase a house together, they’ll receive one grant only.
If the applicant is not yet 18 years old, he or she may be eligible for the FHOG if they apply for the Exemption Where Applicant is Under 18 Years of Age. For more information, you may talk to us on 9249 4455 or send us an online message.
If you are a first time home buyer purchasing a “substantially renovated” residential property, then you are eligible to apply for First Home Owners Grant. To see if your home fits the ‘substantially renovated’ category or for more information, get in touch with Move Homes on 9249 4455 or send us an email.
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) can contribute up to $10,000 when you buy or build a new home.
The First Home Owner Grant can be attained when going through your bank or mortgage broker. They will collate all the documents, so this will all be taken care of. Move Homes doesn’t have any involvement with the application of the grant- it’s all done by their finance team. We, however, can connect you to reputable brokers and provide advice as we go through this journey of building your new home.
Definitely! We can help you acquire your land and house package which fits the government first home buyers grant and your budget. With the First Home Owners Grant, we can design your dream home and help you move into your first home in Perth. Get in touch with Move Homes agents today!
Our finance team will match you with the perfect home loan to suit your personal circumstances. Speak to us on 9249 4455 or send your enquiries and we shall be happy to get back to you with more options.
Over the last 50 years we have proudly built over 20,000 homes for Australian families. We have the same values today as we did in 1969 when we built our first home in Light Street Dianella.
