Applying for the First Home Owner Grant
Find out how to apply through your lender or directly with us.
Applying through a bank or credit union
Usually, the bank or credit union providing your finance will lodge the application for you. They must be an approved agent.
If you need the grant for settlement or your first progressive payment, you must apply through an approved agent.
The bank or credit union will:
- check your eligibility
- verify your identity
- handle the rest of the supporting documentation
- lodge the application form on your behalf after you have signed it and had it witnessed.
Your bank or credit union can let you know when the grant will be paid.
You do not need to complete the steps below if an approved agent is lodging the application.
Applying directly with us
Only apply with us if an approved agent is not lodging the application for you. You cannot lodge an application until after the eligible transaction has been completed. Follow the steps below.
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Check your eligibility
First, check your understanding of the First Home Owner Grant eligibility requirements.
You can also use our online tool to assess your eligibility.
We assess eligibility based on the information provided in the application form.
Penalties and interest will apply if you receive the grant and are not entitled to it.
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Gather proof of identity documents
Each applicant and their spouse/partner must provide a copy of a current document from each of the 3 categories. This means 3 documents per person.
Do not provide original documents.
You cannot use a single document for more than one category.
Category 1: evidence of citizenship or permanent residency
If you are an Australian citizen:
- Australian birth certificate
- Australian passport
- Australian citizenship certificate.
A New Zealand citizen:
- passport
- movement record.
New Zealand citizens must be living in Australia when the eligible transaction is completed. You must supply the movement record from the Department of Home Affairs as evidence.
If you are a citizen of another country:
- passport
- evidence of permanent residency or permanent residence visa, including the date it was granted.
Category 2: evidence of identity
- Australian driver licence.
- Passport (if not used for Category 1).
- Working with Children Check card.
- Firearms licence.
- Proof of age card.
Category 3: evidence of living in Australia
- Medicare card.
- Motor vehicle registration notice.
- Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs card.
Additional supporting evidence
If you are:
- married, provide a copy of your marriage certificate
- divorced, provide a copy of your divorce certificate
- widowed, provide a copy of the death certificate of your spouse/partner
- separated, provide a statutory declaration with the following information:
- the name of your former spouse/partner
- your former spouse/partner’s current address (if known)
- former spouse/partner’s date of birth
- the date you were married or started your domestic relationship
- the date you separated
- a statement telling us you do not live together nor intend to resume living together
- a member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), provide:
- a copy of a document issued by the ADF showing your name and that you are a permanent member of the ADF at the completion date of the eligible transaction
- documentation confirming your enrolment on the Victorian electoral roll.
If the name on any document is different to the name on your application, you must provide evidence of your change of name. This may include a change of name certificate issued by Births, Deaths and Marriages or a statutory declaration explaining why you do not have the change of name certificate.
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Gather relevant property documents
You cannot apply until the eligible transaction has been completed.
To fill out the application form, you will need documents related to your property such as the:
- contract of sale
- building contract
- certificate of occupancy.
The evidence documents you need to provide depend on whether the home is purchased, built or owner-built. Refer to the lodgement guide for evidence relating to the transaction.
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Lodge the application
You must lodge your application within 12 months of settlement or completing construction of your home.
Next Steps
We will review your application within 10 working days. If your application is approved, we will confirm approval in writing and pay the grant into your nominated account. If we need more evidence, we will contact you.
We pay the grant once we approve your application.
If your circumstances change and you can’t meet the 12-month residency requirement, you must write to us immediately.
If you disagree with our decision, you can contact us to request a review.
Last modified: 28 August 2025
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