What you need to know about Queensland’s First Home Owner Grant

Queensland offers one of the most generous First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) schemes of all Australian jurisdictions.

The one-time grant aims to help first home owners get into the housing market sooner, providing them with assistance to meet the many costs associated with purchasing a home.

If you're an eligible first-time buyer planning to enter the housing market in Queensland, it's certainly worthwhile applying. Here are the need-to-know details.

What is the Queensland First Home Owner Grant?

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) scheme is a federal government initiative introduced in 2000 to offset the effect of GST on home ownership.

Although it's a national scheme, each state and territory is responsible for funding and administering the program. As such, each state has slightly different eligibility criteria and requirements.

Queensland's FHOG provides first home buyers with either $30,000 or $15,000, depending on the timing of their purchase, for properties valued up to $750,000 (including land if they're planning to build).

How do I work out how much I'm eligible for?

The amount you can receive through the First Home Owner Grant depends on when you sign the contract for your home:

• From 20 November 2023, first home owners can apply for a grant of $30,000.
• Those who signed contracts before 20 November 2023 can apply for $15,000.

For owner-builders, those dates apply to when the foundations of the home were laid.

Am I eligible for the Queensland First Home Owner Grant?

To qualify for the grant, you must be able to meet the eligibility criteria. Here's a rundown:

Eligibility category	Requirements
Age	Must be at least 18 years or older
Citizenship	Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or applying with someone who is.
Income	Income has no bearing on eligibility
Previous recipient	You or your spouse must not have previously received a first home owner grant in any state or territory. If you received a grant that you later paid back, you may be able to reapply
Previous home ownership	You or your spouse must not have owned residential property in Australia: That you lived in on or after 1 July 2000 Before 1 July 2000, whether you lived in it or not
Investment properties	The grant is not available to purchase investment properties
Residence Requirements	Once successful, receivers of the grant must move into the property they applied with within one year of the completed transaction and must live there continuously for six months
Disqualifying arrangements	Even if you meet the eligibility criteria, you may not get the grant in some circumstances, including: If you enter into an arrangement to avoid requirements affecting eligibility If you enter into an arrangement with the sole purpose of obtaining the grant, rather than obtaining a home If you buy or build a home with financial help from a related person who is not eligible for the grant, who will also stay in the home or be there for long periods of time
Property	The property could be a house, unit, duplex, or townhouse It must not have been lived in or sold as a place of residence at the time of its completion It must be valued at $750,000 or less, including land and any contract variations Modular homes, kit homes, and homes in a manufactured home park could be eligible Properties that are substantially renovated can also be considered under the grant

The Queensland Revenue Office has an eligibility tester tool that can help identify whether your circumstances allow you to apply for the FHOG.

Applying for the Queensland First Home Owner Grant

When you need to submit your application for the grant depends on the type of property transaction you're entering into. Here are the timeframes that need to be abided by:

• Buying a new home: You must apply within one year of taking possession of the new home and your title being registered

• Contract to build: You must apply within one year of the new home being completed

• Owner-builder: You must apply within one year of the new home being completed

You can apply for the grant in two ways: Through an approved agent (these are select banks and lending institutions) or through the Queensland Revenue Office.

First home buyers looking to simplify the process as much as possible might find the first option is the way to go. If you're applying through a lender, it will confirm your eligibility for the grant and manage your application.

If you've signed a building contract or you're applying as an owner-builder, you'll need to apply through the Queensland Revenue Office. This can be done online using the Office's web portal.

What documents do I need to apply?

When you submit for the grant online, you will need to provide several documents to support your application. You'll need to provide one document from each of the following categories:

Proof of Identity	Examples
Category 1	Australian birth certificate
	Australian passport
	Australian citizenship certificate
	Current passport or ImmiCard and visa
	Titre de Voyage
Category 2	Australian driver's licence
	Australian firearm licence
	Australian proof of age card
	Passport
Category 3	Medicare card
	Car registration
	Debit or credit card
	Concession card
	Veteran card
Category 4	Utility bill (electricity, gas)
	Bank statement
	Home insurance policy

If you've changed your name or marital status, you'll also need to provide the following:

• Change of name certificate

• Marriage certificate

• Divorce certificate

• Any document that is evidence of another change in status (e.g. death, separation)

Specific documents for those who receive financial help

If you've received financial help to purchase the home, you will also need:

• A statutory declaration from each applicant with a description of the financial help received or expected, including details of amounts owing or gifted and the applicant's relationship with the provider

• A copy of the financial arrangement (i.e. a loan agreement or deed), if the agreement is in writing

Specific documents for those buying new homes (including off the plan homes)

• Contract signed and dated by the seller and applicants

• Registration confirmation statement or current title search showing applicants as registered owners

• Final inspection certificate or certificate of occupancy

If you're purchasing a new home, you must also provide a vendor statement from the seller confirming the home has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence.

Specific documents for those buying substantially renovated homes

• Contract signed and dated by the seller and applicants

• Registration confirmation statement or current title search that shows the applicants as the registered owners

• Tax invoice that shows the GST component of the home purchase price

• A statement from the seller confirming the sale of the home was taxable under the GST Act and was sold in the course of the seller's business

• A statement confirming the home has not been sold or occupied as a place of residence since the renovations

• A statement outlining the type and extent of the renovations

Specific documents for those entering a contract to build

• Contract signed and dated by the seller and applicants

• Registration confirmation statement or current title search that shows the applicants as the registered owners

• Final inspection certificate issued by local council or private building certifier

• One of the following, dated no more than 12 months from the date of contract to build - independent valuation or market appraisal; stamped contract to purchase vacant land; stamped Titles Queensland Form 1 Transfer

Specific documents for owner-builders

• Registration confirmation statement or current title search that shows the applicants as the registered owners (available from Titles Queensland)

• First inspection certificate that shows the build's commencement date (the date the footings or foundations were certified), issued by your local council or private building certifier

• Completed owner-builder cost summary annexure

• Copies of receipts equal to the grant amount

• Independent third-party valuation or market appraisal of the home dated on or after the completion of the eligible transaction

• Final inspection certificate issued by your local council or private building certifier

• One of the following, dated no more than 12 months from the date the foundations are laid, showing the value of the land as at commencement date of the build - independent valuation or market appraisal; stamped contract to purchase vacant land; stamped Titles Queensland Form 1 Transfer

When will the Queensland First Home Owner Grant be paid?

The timeframe for the payment of the grant depends on your property transaction and how you applied.

If you're applying through your lender, you will receive the grant in the following situations:

• When buying a home, including off-the-plan purchases: You will receive the grant at settlement

• For contracts to build your new home: You will receive the grant on the first drawdown of funds

• When building your home as an owner-builder: You will receive the grant on receipt of a final inspection certificate

However, the timing may be different if you apply directly to the Queensland Revenue Office:

• The grant will not be paid until the home is complete and you have supplied all the supporting documents

• You will get paid when you have a registration confirmation statement of title search showing your name on the title of the property

• When building your home, your grant will be paid when you have a final inspection certificate

Frequently Asked Questions about the Queensland FHOG

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Queensland's First Home Owner Grant:

Can I use the grant as a home loan deposit?

Although you can technically use it as a home loan deposit, chances are you won't have it when you need to hand over your deposit.

The grant is paid at varying times depending on how and when you apply or whether you're building or buying. This means it's not ideal to use as a home loan deposit.

It's highly recommended to have your own saved funds for this purpose.

Will my income impact my application for the grant?

No, your income will not impact your application for the grant.

Queensland's FHOG is not means tested and does not have any income-related eligibility requirements.

When applying for the grant with a partner, will each of us be able to receive the grant?

The grant is payable per transaction.

This means that two first home buyers involved with the purchase of a single property will only be eligible for one grant.

Can I still apply for the grant even if I have property overseas?

You will still be eligible for the grant even if you own a property overseas, provided you have never owned a property in Australia.

Are there any additional incentives or concessions available for first-home buyers in Queensland?

Yes, on top of the FHOG, you may be eligible for other incentives and concessions, including a reduction in stamp duty for eligible properties and the First Home Vacant Land Concession, which offers a partial exemption or reduction of transfer duty for vacant land intended for building a first home.

Can the FHOG be combined with other government grants or schemes?

Yes, the FHOG can usually be combined with other government grants or schemes, such as the federal government Home Guarantee Scheme or the First Home Super Saver Scheme.

It's crucial, however, to check the specific requirements and conditions of each program to ensure your eligibility and assess any potential limitations.

Is there a deadline for applying for the FHOG?

There is no specific deadline for applying for the FHOG in Queensland.

However, your application must be submitted at specific timeframes according to your property transaction.

Where can I find a home loan tailored specifically for first home buyers?

Our first home buyer loans page features some of the lowest interest rates on the market for first home buyers as well as helpful tips and expert advice.

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