First home owner’s grant (FHOG) NSW: Eligibility & incentive
Looking to get on to the property ladder? Congratulations! Buying a home for the first time can be quite a task, but there are plenty of buying incentives to help you to get into the property market, including the first homeowner’s grants in New South Wales.
In this article, we’ll delve into NSW first home owner’s grant to outline who is eligible and how to apply for yourself. As Sydney’s leading conveyancing firm, our team of conveyancers know the ins and outs of the FHOG in NSW intimately.
Table of contents
- What is the first home owner’s grant?
- Eligibility criteria for the first home owner’s grant
- Application process for the first home owner’s grant
- Additional incentives for first home buyers in New South Wales
What is the first home owner’s grant?
The First Home Buyers Grant is a scheme designed to help more young Australians purchase their first home.
If you’re ready to buy your first home, then you may be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) to help get you started. In New South Wales, this sum is a one-off payment of $10,000. This money can be put towards a house, townhouse, or apartment.
Property prices in Sydney have soared of late, and over the past 30 years their values have grown by 449%. In 2024, prices are expected to rise by a further four per cent on the previous year, so this grant is there to give people a hand getting on the property ladder.
These incentives are run by state governments, so there are differences depending on your location. First-time buyers in Victoria, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory are also eligible for $10,000, while those in South Australia will get $15,000. You’ll get between $15,000 and $30,000 in Queensland, and $30,000 in Tasmania. In the Australian Capital Territory, its FHOG has been replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, which provides a full stamp duty concession for eligible applicants.
Eligibility criteria for the first home owner’s grant in NSW
To be eligible for this grant in NSW, each applicant must be at least 18 years old, and at least one must be a permanent resident or Australian citizen. The NSW FHOG grant only applies to people, so companies and trusts won’t qualify, and you also must not have previously owned a home before 1 July 2000.
For contracts signed before 1 July 2023, you must move into your first home as your main residence within a 12-month period, and it must be occupied for a minimum of six continuous months. If you sign your contract on or after 1 July 2023, you must again move in within the year, but you’ll need to live there for 12 continuous months.
The price of your new home must not exceed $60,000 if you’re buying a property, and if you have chosen to go down the building route, it must not cost more than $75,000 for both the house and land.
You may still be eligible for the NSW FHOG grant if you bought a residential property after 1 July 2000 but did not didn’t live in it for more than six continuous months.
If you have previously received a grant or owned a residential property in Australia, you will not qualify.
Application process for the first home owner’s grant in NSW
If you need your grant for payments to buy your home, you must submit your application with the approved agent who is providing you finance. However, you can still apply for the grant even if you’ve already bought your home or have begun the construction process, you would need to submit your application via the First House Owner Grant customer portal.
You must lodge your application within 12 months of living in your home or completing construction on the building, and additional documents may be required if this is not the case.
Before you apply, you’ll need a copy of the contract, dated and signed by the seller, as well as proof of your identity and any supporting documents that apply to your property.
If you are applying before you complete your purchase, you should download and complete the form before lodging this with your approved agent, making sure to include all supporting documents.
If you’re applying after buying your home, use the FHOG portal and add your property settlement date and the completed construction date of your new home, and apply online for the grant.
Additional incentives for first home buyers in New South Wales
To help first-time buyers in Sydney and NSW, those eligible won’t pay any transfer duty when purchasing properties valued at $80,000 or less, and this will come at a reduced rate for those buying properties worth between $80,000 and $1 million.
If you purchase vacant land for less than $350,000 to begin building on, there will be no transfer duty; for vacant land valued between $350,000 and $450,000, a reduced transfer duty rate applies.
Eligibility rests on the fact you move into the property within 12 months of buying or completion of the build and live here for a 12-month period.
With the NSW First Home Guarantee Scheme, eligible buyers can purchase or build a new home with a deposit of as little as 5 per cent (for eligible single parents, this is 2 per cent) without the need for lenders’ mortgage insurance.
There are also other schemes that may help first-time buyers, including the First Home Super Saver Scheme, which lets you use your superannuation fund to save for your home, or the Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper, which helps eligible home buyers to buy their own home with as little as 2 per cent deposit. The NSW Government contributes a part of the purchase price in exchange for an equal interest in the property.
Wrapping up
Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or a seasoned property investor, our dedicated team at Entry Conveyancing will help you navigate the world of property, taking the stress out of buying, selling, and transferring property ownership.
You’ll have a dedicated Sydney conveyancing lawyer in your corner who will keep you in the loop every step of the way, offering advice and insight that’ll allow you to make the most informed decisions for your property transaction.<
We offer a fixed-fee pricing model, and our team are here to help sort through the complex paperwork and legal jargon to make the process as seamless as possible. Whether you’re buying in the North in Brookvale, Inner city in Redfern, or down south in Wollongong – we’re here to help. Book your free consultation today to find out why people in Sydney are using the services of Entry Conveyancing.
