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First Home Owners Grant in NSW
The October 2020 guide to the First Home Owners Grant in NSW.
We’re committed to our readers and editorial independence. We don’t compare all products in the market and may receive compensation when we refer you to our partners, but this does not influence our opinions or reviews. Learn more about Finder .
In NSW, there are two schemes to help first home buyers get into the property market: The First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) Scheme, and the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme. The first scheme is a cash grant and the second is a tax concession or discount.
Some buyers may be eligible for both.
First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) Scheme in NSW
First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) Scheme is a $10,000 grant for first home buyers who are buying or building a new home. You can qualify for the scheme if you are:
- Buying a newly constructed (or substantially renovated) home valued at no more than $600,000.
- Buying land, and the combined value of your building and land are no more than $750,000.
The grant is available for eligible property transactions occurring after 1 January 2016.
- You cannot qualify for the grant if you are buying an existing home.
Source: Revenue NSW
First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme
The First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme allows eligible first home buyers in NSW to get an exemption or concession on transfer duty (stamp duty). Homes valued at less than $650,000 qualify for a complete exemption and properties valued between $650,000 and $800,000 qualify for a reduced transfer duty.
Unlike the FHOG, you can buy an existing home and still receive a concession of exemption.
The table below outlines the duty concessions available:
| Purchase Price | First Home - New Home Duty |
|---|---|
| $650,000 | $0 |
| $680,000 | $6,290 |
| $700,000 | $10,490 |
| $720,000 | $14,690 |
| $750,000 | $20,990 |
| $770,000 | $25,190 |
| $800,000 | No discount |
Source: Revenue NSW
Vacant land
The First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme also provides a duty exemption on vacant land valued up to $350,000 and concessions for vacant land valued between $350,000 and $450,000.
Learn more about stamp duty in NSW
HomeBuilder
HomeBuilder is a federal grant of $25,000 that is available for home buyers and owners in NSW who are building a new home (or renovating an existing home). Eligible first home buyers could qualify for HomeBuilder in addition to other grants.
Eligibility for first home owners grants in NSW
Your eligibility for these two schemes is determined by the conditions of the individual scheme, the property value and the date in which you entered into the eligible transaction.
Generally, you’ll need to satisfy the following (among other criteria) to qualify:
- At least one applicant is a permanent resident or an Australian citizen
- Each applicant must be aged 18 years or older
- All applicants have not previously owned a residential property in Australia
- All applicants have not previously received a grant under the First Home Owner Grant Act 2000 in any state or territory
Living in the property
- You must live in the property for at least six continuous months, and you must move in within 12 months from purchase.
To find out if you’re eligible for the FHOG, please visit the Revenue NSW and review the eligibility requirements for the scheme you’d like to apply for.
Check out our complete FHOG guide.
How do I apply for the FHOG?
You can apply for NSW first home buyer schemes through the Revenue NSW. There are two forms you need to complete, and you can lodge with the help of your solicitor or conveyancer after you've exchanged contracts with the property seller.
You can only lodge an application with NSW Office of State Revenue once you are registered on the property title.
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FAQ about the FHOG
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Ask an Expert
hi my husband brought a home with his ex partner using the first home owner grant . i have never lived in and had any association with the previous brought house . Am i still eligible for the first home owner grant ?
The property I’m purchasing is $695,000. Am I still eglible for the $10,000? or just the stamp duty concession?
Hi Shaun,
Thanks for your question. As per our page, since your property is at $695k, this means this is over the FHOG cap amount. However, the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme offers eligible buyers exemptions or concessions on property transfer duty. This includes an exemption from stamp duty for homes valued up to $650,000 and concessions on duty for homes valued between $650,000 and $800,000.
Given this, your new home duty will have an estimate concession of $8,000.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Nikki
I am aged 58, divorced and had a house with my exhusband 17 years ago.
Am i able to receive stamp duty exemption at all as a first home buyer in my own right
Hi Irma,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder! The First Home Owner Grant satisfies to-be homeowners that are the ff:
Each applicant is a natural person (e.g. not a company)
At least one applicant is a permanent resident or an Australian citizen
Each applicant must be aged 18 years or older
All applicants have not owned a residential property in Australia before July 2000
All applicants have not previously owned a residential property for a continuous period of at least six months
All applicants have not previously received a grant under the First Home Owner Grant Act 2000 in any state or territory
At least one applicant will occupy the home as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of 6 months
Since you’ve owned a property before, unfortunately, doesn’t qualify you for stamp duty exemption and FHOG.
Hope this clarifies!
Best,
Nikki
Hi I’m wanting to build a new granny flat in my mother’s back yard.
I will be paying for it all and I will be living in it full time.
I have never bought or built a house before.
Am I eligible for the 1st home buyer grant ?
Thanks Dean
Hi Dean,
Thank you for reaching out with Finder.
Since you will be the builder of the property, you may be eligible to receive FHOG provided that you also meet the eligibility stated above.
To see if you are eligible with FHOG, you may also visit the NSW State Office of Revenue and have your eligibility requirements reviewed for the scheme you’d like to apply for.
Hope this helps and please feel free to contact us back should you require further assistance.
Kind Regards,
Mai
My husband received the FHOG when he built a house, pre-marriage. Now we are separating, and I plan on buying a house for myself. I have never owned a property before. The house husband built was solely in his name. Am I eligible to receive FHOG?
Hi Nicole,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃
Yes, you will most probably be still eligible for the FHOG since your name wasn’t registered to the house of your husband. It would also be helpful to review the eligibility requirements listed above. Finally, you can also get in touch with your provider to learn more.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
I, with my mother in law, would like to buy property for her prime resident living. I am an owner of an existing property and she has not had property before. Can she still be recognised as a first home buyer? Can we get an exemption or partial exemption if we purchase 50/50?
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃
Upon checking Andrew, I’m afraid that under the current rules of FHOG, you won’t be approved for a First Home Owner Grant if you are going to buy the property together with your mom. Among the eligibility criteria of FHOG is that you should have not owned a residential property in Australia before July 2000 and you should have not previously owned a residential property for a continuous period of at least six months.
For this reason, you might simply ask your mom to buy the property alone since she seems to be eligible.
I would advise that you also get in touch with the FHOG provider to get more information on the best way for you and your mom to apply for it.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
Hi, I am really happy with the current place I am renting at the moment it is a very reasonable price and good location. If I purchase a property and apply for the First Home Owner Stamp Duty Waiver, can I stay on the lease of the place where I’m at now, sublet me room, move into my new property for 6 months to satisfy the criteria then move back to the place I’m renting at the moment? Would I be breaking any rules?
Hi Liam,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
Though what you provided could work, it would still be advisable to seek clarification from the NSW State Office of Revenue and review the eligibility requirements for the scheme you’d like to apply for. The basic requirements are shown below:
Each applicant is a natural person (e.g. not a company)
At least one applicant is a permanent resident or an Australian citizen
Each applicant must be aged 18 years or older
All applicants have not owned a residential property in Australia before July 2000
All applicants have not previously owned a residential property for a continuous period of at least six months
All applicants have not previously received a grant under the First Home Owner Grant Act 2000 in any state or territory
At least one applicant will occupy the home as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of 6 months
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
i have owned an investment parcel of land which i have disposed of am i eligible for the fhba (not the grant)
Hi Rose,
Thank you for reaching out to finder.
The FHBA has a dedicated website that assists users on their eligibility. The estimator could provide you with the following information as well:
the median price in your dream suburb
the minimum deposit required in your dream suburb
the costs associated with your first home in your State
the Grants & Stamp Duty concessions you may be eligible for
the approximate LMI costs for low deposit loans
the different levels of deposit required to buy your first home
Please visit the website of FHBA as there are question relating to what type of home you wish to have to complete the eligibility. There is also a chat support team ready to answer your questions on the website. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
Is any assistance available to first home buyers who are renovating an old house?
Hi Juliann,
Thanks for getting in touch! The FHOG in NSW only applies to new homes and/or vacant lands. Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.
Best,
Nikki
I have clients who are looking to purchase a property in NSW as their first home. They currently live in NT but will be moving to NSW. The purchase is $500,000 so there will be no stamp duty?
Hi Bob,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
Yes, you would less likely pay stamp duty since the value of the home is only $500,000. You can also speak to a tax specialist to learn more.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua