Buying your first property is exciting, and expensive. The good news is that government support can take thousands off your costs. This guide explains the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG), stamp duty savings and the national deposit scheme, with a focus on NSW.
What Is the First Home Buyers Grant in Australia?
Australia has no single national cash grant. Instead, support comes from state and territory grants, stamp duty relief and federal low-deposit programs. Each state sets its own rules, amounts and price limits, so the help you get depends on where you buy.
It helps to separate the two types of support. A grant is a one-off payment. A scheme, like a stamp duty concession, reduces a cost you would otherwise pay. Many home buyer schemes can be combined, which is why it pays to check everything available to you.
If you are wondering can first home buyers get a grant in Australia, the answer is yes, but usually only for a newly built property and only if you meet strict criteria.
First Home Owner Grant in NSW
Revenue NSW confirms the NSW grant is $10,000 for eligible new or substantially renovated homes. It does not apply to buying an existing house.
Qualifying purchases include:
- Brand-new houses, apartments and townhouses
- Substantially renovated homes
- Vacant land where you then sign a contract to build
Buying off-the-plan property can also qualify, provided it meets the price and occupancy rules below.
NSW First Home Owner Grant Eligibility
Understanding first home buyers grant Australia eligibility starts with the core eligibility criteria. In NSW you generally must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Never have owned residential property in Australia before, and the same applies to your partner or co-buyer
- Move in and live there as your principal place of residence
Investors are excluded, since you must genuinely live in the property. These are the essential first home owner grant Australia requirements, and missing any one of them can block your claim.
NSW Property Price Limits
The property price cap is where many applicants fall short. For the FHOG, the limits are:
- $600,000 for a completed newly built property
- $750,000 combined land and building cost if you build a new home
Substantially renovated homes are assessed against the same caps. If your purchase exceeds the limit, you lose the grant entirely, not just the portion above the cap. This is the core of the first home buyer grant Australia property price limit rule, so confirm the total contract cost before you sign.
First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme NSW
Separate from the grant, the NSW assistance scheme provides stamp duty concession benefits. Under current settings:
- Homes up to $800,000 receive a full transfer duty exemption
- Homes above $800,000 and below $1 million receive a partial concession
- Vacant land has its own, lower thresholds
This scheme applies to both new and existing properties, so it helps far more buyers than the grant does.
Grant vs Stamp Duty Exemption
The two benefits work differently. The grant is a $10,000 payment for newly built property, while the stamp duty relief reduces your tax bill at purchase.
Can you receive both? Yes, if you buy a newly built property within both sets of limits. Buyers of an established home can access the stamp duty concession but not the FHOG. Vacant land buyers may qualify for both, depending on the land value and the later build.
Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme
The former Home Guarantee Scheme was rebranded from October 2025 as the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, with expanded eligibility. It lets you buy with just a 5% deposit and avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), which can save you thousands.
This is a guarantee, not a payment. It differs from the NSW FHOG in three ways:
- It applies to new and existing properties
- It has its own regional price caps
- You apply through a participating lender
Together with state help, it forms the backbone of first home buyer assistance across the country.
Other Support Available
Depending on your situation, also look at:
- State grants in Victoria, Queensland and elsewhere
- Stamp duty concessions in other states
- The First Home Super Saver Scheme, which lets you save for a deposit inside super
- Shared equity options
- Regional buyer incentives
Eligibility Checklist
Ask yourself:
- Have I ever owned property before?
- Is the property newly built or substantially renovated?
- Is the price under the cap?
- Do I meet the citizenship or residency rules?
- Will I live there?
- Does my partner also meet the rules?
If you answer “yes” to the last five and “no” to the first, you are in a strong position.
How to Apply for the NSW First Home Owner Grant
If you’re asking how to apply for first home owner grant Australia, the process in NSW is straightforward. Revenue NSW allows a grant application through an approved agent, usually your lender, when you arrange finance. You can also lodge it through the Revenue NSW customer portal after purchase or construction.
Steps:
- Check your eligibility
- Confirm the property price
- Choose a qualifying property
- Arrange finance
- Gather your documents
- Submit the application
- Settle or complete construction
- Move in and meet the residency rules
Documents You Need
- Photo identity documents
- Proof of citizenship or permanent residency
- Contract of sale or building contract
- Title documents
- Occupation certificate for new builds
- Evidence of value and renovation records where relevant
Living in Your Home
You must move in within the required timeframe and live there for the minimum period Revenue NSW sets. If you move out early, you may have to repay the grant, though special circumstances can apply. Always confirm the current occupancy period with Revenue NSW before you buy.
Buying With a Partner or Others
If you buy as a couple, both of you must meet the rules, including having no previous property ownership. Buying with family or friends means every co-buyer must qualify. Only one grant is paid per property transaction, regardless of how many people are on the contract.
Property Types Compared
- Existing homes: stamp duty concession only, no FHOG
- Brand-new houses, apartments, townhouses: eligible, within price caps
- Off-the-plan: eligible if it meets the rules
- House and land packages: eligible within the combined cap
- Vacant land: eligible when you build
Check the details for each purchase type, because the rules differ.
Common Reasons Applications Fail
- Previous property ownership
- The price exceeds the limit
- The property is not newly built
- Residency or citizenship requirements aren’t met
- Incomplete documentation
- Not moving in on time
Income Rules
Buyers often ask about first home owner grant Australia income requirements. The NSW FHOG has no income test. The 5% Deposit Scheme also removed its income caps from October 2025. Your lender will still assess whether you can afford the loan.
Worked Examples
Newly built at $600,000: eligible for the $10,000 grant, plus a full stamp duty exemption.
Existing home at $800,000: no FHOG, but a full duty exemption.
Property at $900,000: no grant if it is newly built above the cap, but a partial duty concession applies.
Vacant land, then build: the grant applies if land plus construction stays under $750,000.
Buying with a partner: both must qualify.
How Much Can You Save?
Combining the $10,000 grant, stamp duty savings that can reach tens of thousands of dollars, and LMI savings from the 5% scheme, the total benefit can be substantial. Whether you qualify for first home owner grant new home eligibility Australia rules can make a five-figure difference to your purchase.
FAQs
How much is the first home buyers grant in NSW? $10,000 for eligible new or substantially renovated homes.
Can I get $10,000 for an existing home? No. The FHOG only applies to newly built or substantially renovated properties.
Can I get the grant for an apartment or off-the-plan property? Yes, if it is new and within the price cap.
Can I get the grant and stamp duty exemption together? Yes, if you meet both sets of rules.
Can I get the grant if my partner owned a home? Generally no, because your partner must also meet the first-time buyer requirements.