First Home Owner Grants: State by State

Grant amounts, price caps and eligibility rules are set (and regularly changed) by each state and territory government. The figures below are correct as at August 2026, but these things move fast, sometimes within weeks of a state budget, so always confirm the current amount with your state’s revenue office or a broker before you rely on it.

What is a First Home Owner Grant?

A First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a one off, tax free cash payment from a state or territory government to help eligible first home buyers get into the market. It’s not a loan, you don’t pay it back, and in most states it’s paid directly to you at settlement or during construction.

The catch that trips a lot of people up: in almost every state, the FHOG only applies to new homes, not established ones. This includes brand new builds, off the plan purchases, and substantially renovated homes. If you’re buying an existing home that someone has already lived in, you generally won’t qualify for the grant itself, though you may still be eligible for a separate stamp duty concession (see my post on Stamp Duty Concessions: State by State).

The Grant, State by State

New South Wales: $10,000 for new homes, capped at $600,000 for a completed new home or $750,000 combined for a house and land package.
Victoria: $10,000 for new homes in metro Melbourne, or $20,000 in regional Victoria, capped at $750,000.
Queensland: $30,000 for new homes, capped at $750,000. This boosted amount has been extended by the Queensland Government beyond its original expiry date, though it’s always worth double checking it’s still current before you rely on it.
South Australia: $15,000 for new homes, with no property value cap.
Western Australia: $10,000 for new homes, capped at $800,000.
Tasmania: $20,000 for new homes, with no property value cap. This was reduced from a temporary $30,000 boost that ended 30 June 2026.
Australian Capital Territory: No cash grant. The ACT abolished its FHOG back in 2019 and instead puts all its first home buyer support into a stamp duty exemption (more on this in my Stamp Duty Concessions post).
Northern Territory: $50,000 for new homes through the HomeGrown Territory Grant, with no property value cap. This is currently the most generous cash grant in the country by a wide margin.

Common Eligibility Rules

While the amounts and caps differ, most states apply similar underlying conditions:

  • You (and your spouse or partner) must never have owned residential property in Australia before
  • You must be at least 18 years old
  • At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • The home must be your principal place of residence, and you’ll generally need to move in within 12 months and live there for a minimum continuous period (commonly 6 to 12 months)
  • You can only ever receive a First Home Owner Grant once, anywhere in Australia

Pros of the FHOG

  • It’s genuinely free money. It doesn’t need to be repaid and isn’t taxed.
  • It reduces the cash you need to find upfront, which can help bridge a deposit shortfall.
  • It can often be used as part of your deposit, subject to your lender’s policy.

Cons of the FHOG

  • New homes only. If you fall in love with a character filled established home, you likely won’t qualify.
  • Price caps can rule out capital city properties. In expensive markets, the cap may sit well below the median price for a new home.
  • Residency conditions apply. If you don’t move in and live there for the required period, you may need to repay it.
  • It’s a one time thing. Once you’ve received a grant anywhere in Australia, you can’t claim it again on a future purchase, even if your circumstances change.
  • Grant amounts and caps change often. What’s on offer today may look quite different by the time you’re ready to buy, so timing your purchase around a grant can be risky.

The Bottom Line

The FHOG can be a genuine leg up, particularly if you’re already planning to build or buy new, but it shouldn’t be the main reason you choose a new home over an established one. Run the numbers on both, factor in the grant, the stamp duty position (see my next post), and your own borrowing capacity, and make the decision that suits your situation rather than chasing the biggest headline number.