The FHOG is a once-off payment to help first home buyers with building a residential property when that property will be used as their principal place of residence.
To be eligible for the FHOG and/or first home owner rate of duty, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
- An applicant must be a natural person (i.e. not a company) and be 18 years or over at the time of making application. However, you may be able to apply for an exemption from the age requirement.
- At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident at the time of making application.
- Applicants and/or their spouses or de facto partners cannot have previously received the FHOG or first home owner rate of duty from any jurisdiction in Australia.
- Applicants and/or their spouses or de facto partners cannot have previously owned a home anywhere in Australia prior to 1 July 2000.
- Applicants and/or their spouses or de facto partners cannot have previously owned a home anywhere in Australia after 1 July 2000 and occupied that home before 30 June 2004.
- Applicants and/or their spouses or de facto partners cannot have previously owned a home anywhere in Australia after 1 July 2000 and occupied that home for a period of not more than six continuous months commencing after 30 June 2004.
- Applicants must occupy the home as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least six months commencing within 12 months of settlement if purchasing a home, or within 12 months from the date of completion if building a home.
- Applicants must hold a relevant interest (ownership) in the land on which the home is situated.
- The applicant must enter into a contract to buy or build (or in case of an owner builder, commence construction) on or after 1 July 2000.
Source: Department of State Revenue
What is considered a new home?
A ‘new’ home is considered to be a property that has never been lived in before by any other party, or sold to another party prior to you. The following are not considered a new home in Western Australia: established houses; acquisition of vacant land (until there is a comprehensive contract to build a residential property on it), business or commercial property, holiday houses, renovations to an existing home.
How can I find out if I am eligible for the FHOG?
To be eligible for the FHOG you have to satisfy the following:
- You have never owned a residential property in Australia.
- You have never received a FHOG from any other state or territory in Australia.
- You are 18 years of age or older.
- You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- You can occupy the home as your principal place of residence for a continual period of six months or more, which must occur within 12 months of receiving the First Home Owners Grant.