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First Home Owners Grant in NSW
Eligible first home buyers in NSW can get a $10,000 first owners grant, plus concessions on stamp duty charges.
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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.
- Please be aware that if you have already owned a property, whether a home or investment, you won't qualify for grants or stamp duty discounts designed for first home buyers. But you should always check the latest eligibility details on the Revenue NSW website just to be sure.
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). Between 1 August 2020 and 31 July 2021 new homes valued at less than $800,000 qualify for a complete exemption and properties valued between $800,000 and $1,000,000 qualify for a reduced transfer duty.
Unlike the FHOG, you can buy an existing home and still receive a concession of exemption. For existing homes, you value must be less than $650,000. A block of land can be less than $400,000.
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 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 buyers 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
hello
i purchased a property in march of this year but did not claim the first home owners at the time of purchase am i able to claim the first home owners now the purchase price of the property was $90,000
THANK YOU
Hi Michelle.
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is only available on the purchase of newly built or substantially renovated homes. You must lodge your application within 12 months of settlement or completion of construction of your home. If the property you purchased was new, you may be eligible to claim the grant, but with a price of $90,000 I suspect this was an existing home. If it was already built, you’re not eligible to apply for the grant.
Hope this helps.
Many thanks,
Sarah
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