The Australian state and federal governments currently make several different grants available to First Home Buyers. What grants and/or concessions are currently on offer in your state or territory may vary and change over time, however the information below provides an overview of the grants and schemes and links to relevant websites you can obtain more information relevant to your state.
First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
The First Home Owner Grant Scheme was introduced on 1 July 2000 to offset the effect of GST on home ownership. The FHOG scheme is a national scheme that is funded by each state and territory of Australia under their relevant legislation.
The FHOG Scheme provides a one-off grant to home buyers that meet the applicable eligibility criteria.
The scheme varies in each state. More information can be found via the following links:
Commonwealth Government First Home Loan Deposit Scheme
The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme is an Australian Government initiative to support eligible first home buyers purchase their first home sooner.
Usually, first home buyers with less than a 20 per cent deposit need to pay lenders mortgage insurance. Under the Scheme, eligible first home buyers can purchase a modest home with a deposit as little as 5 per cent (lender criteria also apply). The National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) guarantees to a participating lender up to 15 percent of the value of the property purchased that is financed by an eligible first home buyer’s home loan.
There are currently 27 participating lenders across Australia offering places under the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme.
More information on the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme can be found on the NHFIC website.
Stamp Duty Concessions
As an incentive for first home buyers, most states and territories in Australia offer stamp duty concessions to first home purchasers. Generally, first home buyers will be exempt from paying stamp duty charges for purchases of established homes up to a certain amount.
The scheme varies in each state. More information can be found via the following links:
