First Home Owner Grant 2025-26: Eligibility & Amounts by State
Complete guide to the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in every Australian state and territory for 2025-26. Check eligibility, grant amounts, and how to apply.
FHOG amounts by state and territory (2025-26)
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a one-off payment to help first home buyers purchase or build a new home. Each state and territory sets its own grant amount and eligibility rules. Here are the current amounts for 2025-26: **New South Wales:** $10,000 for new homes valued up to $600,000 (house and land) or $750,000 (for homes in Sydney and surrounding areas) **Victoria:** $10,000 for new homes valued up to $750,000. In regional Victoria, the grant increases to $10,000 (previously was higher under a temporary boost that has ended). **Queensland:** $30,000 for new homes valued up to $750,000. This is the most generous FHOG in the country — Queensland doubled their grant and it has been extended. **Western Australia:** $10,000 for new homes valued up to $750,000. An additional $2,000 boost may apply for building new homes in some circumstances. **South Australia:** $15,000 for new homes valued up to $650,000. **Tasmania:** $30,000 for new homes valued up to $750,000. Tasmania matches Queensland as the most generous state. **ACT:** The FHOG was abolished in the ACT and replaced with stamp duty concessions. First home buyers purchasing a home up to $1,000,000 pay zero stamp duty. **Northern Territory:** $10,000 for new homes (no cap on property value, making it the most accessible FHOG). An additional $2,000 is available if you use a local builder. These grants apply to NEW homes only — buying an established (second-hand) home does not qualify for the FHOG in any state. However, most states offer separate stamp duty concessions for first home buyers purchasing established homes.
FHOG eligibility requirements
While each state has slightly different rules, the core eligibility requirements are consistent across Australia: **You must:** - Be at least 18 years of age - Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (at least one applicant) - Be a natural person (not a company or trust) - Not have previously owned residential property anywhere in Australia (including investment property, inherited property, or property owned through a company or trust in some states) - Not have previously received the FHOG in any state or territory **The property must:** - Be a new home (newly built, off-the-plan, or substantially renovated in some states) - Not exceed the value cap for your state (see above) - Be used as your principal place of residence **You must live in the property:** - Move in within 12 months of completion or settlement - Live there continuously for at least 6 months (12 months in some states) - You cannot rent it out during the mandatory residency period **Common disqualifying factors:** - You previously owned a home (even if you sold it years ago) - Your partner/spouse previously received the FHOG - You are buying an established home (only new homes qualify) - You are buying through a trust or company structure - The property exceeds your state's value cap **De facto and married couples:** If you are applying as a couple, only one of you needs to be a first home buyer in most states. However, if either of you has previously received the FHOG, you cannot apply again. Check your state's revenue office for the exact rules.
Stamp duty concessions for first home buyers (by state)
In addition to the FHOG, every state and territory offers stamp duty concessions for first home buyers. These apply to both new AND established homes, making them valuable even if you do not qualify for the FHOG: **NSW:** Full exemption for homes up to $800,000 (new and existing). Concession for homes $800,001-$1,000,000. **Victoria:** Full exemption for homes up to $600,000. Concession for homes $600,001-$750,000. Applies to new and established homes. **Queensland:** Home concession (not just first home buyers) — discounted stamp duty rates for owner-occupied homes. First home buyers get additional concessions for homes up to $700,000 (full concession) and $700,001-$800,000 (partial). **Western Australia:** Full exemption for homes up to $430,000. Concession for homes $430,001-$530,000. Vacant land: full exemption up to $300,000, concession up to $400,000. **South Australia:** No stamp duty for first home buyers on new homes up to $650,000. Concession on existing homes applies through general threshold adjustments. **Tasmania:** 50% stamp duty discount for first home buyers purchasing established homes up to $600,000. **ACT:** Full stamp duty exemption for first home buyers on properties up to $1,000,000. This is the most generous stamp duty concession in the country. **Northern Territory:** Stamp duty concessions available through the Territory Home Owner Discount. The combined value of the FHOG plus stamp duty exemption can be significant. In Queensland, a first home buyer purchasing a $700,000 new home could save $30,000 (FHOG) plus up to $17,000 (stamp duty concession) = $47,000 in total government assistance.
Other first home buyer schemes and incentives
Beyond the FHOG and stamp duty concessions, the federal and state governments offer several other schemes to help first home buyers: **First Home Guarantee (formerly First Home Loan Deposit Scheme):** The federal government guarantees part of your home loan, allowing you to buy with as little as 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). LMI typically costs $5,000-$30,000+, so this is a substantial saving. There are 35,000 places available per financial year. Property price caps apply (e.g., $900,000 in Sydney, $800,000 in Melbourne). **Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee:** Similar to the above but specifically for buyers purchasing in regional areas. Property price caps are lower but still reasonable for regional markets. **Family Home Guarantee:** For single parents with dependants — buy with as little as 2% deposit, no LMI. Up to 5,000 places per year. **First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS):** Save for your deposit inside super, where your money grows faster thanks to lower super tax rates. You can voluntarily contribute up to $15,000 per year (up to $50,000 in total) and then withdraw it to buy your first home. The benefit is that contributions made via salary sacrifice are taxed at 15% instead of your marginal rate, and the deemed earnings rate inside super is typically higher than a savings account. **Help to Buy:** The federal government's shared equity scheme (if passed into law). The government contributes up to 40% of the price of a new home or 30% of an existing home as a shared equity partner. You take out a smaller mortgage and make lower repayments. When you sell, the government gets their share back. Use our Stamp Duty Calculator to model the total cost of buying your first home, including all applicable concessions.
How to apply for the FHOG
The application process is straightforward but varies slightly by state: **Option 1: Apply through your lender (most common)** Most banks and mortgage brokers can submit your FHOG application on your behalf at the same time as your home loan application. The grant amount is typically applied at settlement, reducing the amount you need to pay on the day. This is the easiest option and how most people apply. **Option 2: Apply directly to your state revenue office** If you are not using a lender (e.g., paying cash or using a family loan), you can apply directly. Each state has an online application form: - NSW: Revenue NSW (revenue.nsw.gov.au) - VIC: State Revenue Office Victoria (sro.vic.gov.au) - QLD: Queensland Revenue Office (qro.qld.gov.au) - WA: Department of Finance (finance.wa.gov.au) - SA: RevenueSA (revenuesa.sa.gov.au) - TAS: State Revenue Office Tasmania (sro.tas.gov.au) - ACT: ACT Revenue Office (revenue.act.gov.au) - NT: Territory Revenue Office (treasury.nt.gov.au) **What you will need:** - Proof of identity for all applicants (driver's licence, passport) - Contract of sale or building contract - Evidence the home is new (if applicable) - Statutory declaration confirming eligibility - Bank account details for payment **Timing:** - For existing new homes: apply before or at settlement - For building: apply when the home is completed (or at certain stages depending on the state) - Processing time: typically 2-4 weeks, but can be longer during busy periods **Important warning:** Making a false or misleading FHOG application is a criminal offence. If you have previously owned property — even briefly, even if it was inherited, even if it was an investment property — declare it. Revenue offices cross-reference applications with land title records across all states.
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General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with a licensed adviser or the ATO.
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