A $10,000 grant to support first-time home buyers.
The First Home Owner Grant is a $10,000 payment to help eligible first home buyers buy or build a new home in Victoria. Your first new home can be any type of residential property: a house, townhouse, apartment or unit. You just have to live in it as your home.
Most people apply through an approved agent, such as your bank or credit union. But you can apply with us within 12 months of settlement or completion of the build if an approved agent is not lodging for you.
Eligible property types
The grant applies to properties in Victoria that are:
- worth up to $750,000 (for off-the-plan purchases, this refers to the contract price)
- new and not previously sold, occupied as a home, leased out or used for short-term accommodation (includes substantially renovated homes or homes built to replace demolished ones)
- used as the applicant’s principal place of residence
- purchased or built under a contract signed on or after 1 July 2013.
Applicant eligibility
Anyone who will be named on the property’s title must be listed as a First Home Owner Grant applicant.
If you have a spouse or partner, you must also include their details on the application, even if they will not be on the property’s title. You must consider their details when you answer the eligibility questions.
To qualify, all applicants must be:
- natural persons (not a company or trust)
- at least 18 years of age at settlement or completion of construction.
At least one applicant must:
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the relevant date:
- For purchasing a new home: the date of possession (usually settlement).
- For new builds: the date the home is ready for occupation.
Anyone holding a permanent visa under s30(1) of the Migration Act 1958 is considered a permanent resident of Australia. New Zealanders holding a special category visa under s32 of the Migration Act 1958 are also eligible but must be physically in Australia at the time of settlement.
Previous ownership special cases
You may still be eligible if you or your spouse/partner purchased property on or after 1 July 2000 and have not lived there as your home.
Example
Tom bought his first property in July 2004. It was a house and Tom has always rented it out. As he has never lived there himself, this house is not considered to be his first residential home and he may be eligible for the grant.
Victim-survivors of family violence may be eligible for first home buyer relief, even if they have previously received a grant or owned a home.
Ineligible applicants
You are not eligible if you or your spouse or partner have already:
- received the First Home Owner Grant anywhere in Australia
- owned a home or other residential property in Australia, either jointly or separately, before 1 July 2000
- lived in a home in Australia which either of you owned or part-owned on or after 1 July 2000 for a continuous period of at least 6 months.
These criteria apply even if your spouse or partner is not an applicant with you for the grant. If a grant was received but paid back, the applicant may be entitled to reapply.
Residency requirement
At least one applicant must occupy the home as their principal place of residence for at least 12 months, starting within 12 months of settlement or construction finishing.
Applicants may need to give evidence to prove their occupancy.
If you do not meet the residency requirement, you must notify us in writing within 14 days and repay the grant.
Australian Defence Force personnel are exempt from this residency requirement. The exemption applies to current members of the Australian Army, Air Force or Navy who are enrolled to vote in Victorian elections and are either on duty or leave. The exemption does not apply to reservists or to Australian Public Service staff.
Eligibility check
Will I be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant?
Application process
If you meet the eligibility requirements and are ready to apply, follow the steps to apply for the First Home Owner Grant.
Penalties for misleading applications
We thoroughly review every application, including:
- whether you have previously owned property
- your spouse or partner
- council records
- title details
- your financial details.
It is an offence to give us false or misleading information in your application. If you give us false or misleading information, you may face prosecution.
We conduct investigations to make sure you comply with the conditions of the grant. If do not meet the eligibility or residency requirements, you may have to repay the grant. We may also charge penalties and interest.
