Take the first step
The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a name that gets thrown around quite frequently when considering becoming a home owner for the first time. 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 gritty details.
What is the First Home Owners Grant?
The FHOG is a Government funded one-off payment of $10,000 to help assist first home buyers to buy or build a residential property. The grant is not a cash payment made directly to the person, rather it is given to your home lender at the date of contract and applied directly to your home loan.
Only one grant is given per eligible transaction – so if there we’re 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 an existing home.
Eligibility
•Must be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident.
•At least 18 years of age.
•Have to be a first home buyer who has not previously owned or had 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 is they are married or in a de-facto relationship with each other.
How do you apply?
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.
When will the FHOG be paid?
The grant payment depends on the type of transaction and how your application was submitted.
New or off the plan home
- Through an approved agent: at the date of settlement.
- Through the DOF: after you have provided evidence that your name has been registered on the Certificate of Title, which is roughly three to six weeks after settlement.
Contract to build
- Through an approved agent: when they have provided evidence of the date of first construction progress payment (for example, slab down).
- Through the DOF: after you have provided evidence that your name has been registered on the Certificate of Title and evidence of the date of first construction progress payment.
Owner builder
- Once a valuation has been carried out by a DOF agent or you provide a valuation from a licenced valuer.
- When you or the approved agent have provided evidence that the home is ready for occupation and
- As soon as your name is registered on the Certificate of Title.
*If you have applied through an approved agent, they will receive the grant on your behalf. If you have applied through the DOF, you’ll receive the grant.
Information provided from the Department of Finance website.
Want to find out if you’re eligible for the First Home Owners Grant? Send us a message and we’ll be in touch!