How to Take Advantage of the NSW First Home Owner Grant

The NSW First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) provides you with a one-off $10,000 financial boost to help purchase a new or substantially renovated home. To qualify, you must meet specific eligibility criteria, including residency requirements and property value limits, making your dream of homeownership in New South Wales more attainable.

If you're a first-time home buyer in New South Wales, the NSW First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) can be a valuable resource to help you step onto the property ladder. Designed to ease the financial strain for first-time buyers, the grant offers significant financial assistance if you meet certain criteria. Here’s a breakdown of what the FHOG offers, who is eligible, and how to apply to make your first home dream a reality.

What is the NSW First Home Owner Grant?

The FHOG is a one-off $10,000 grant aimed at helping first-time buyers purchase a new home, build a property from scratch, or buy an extensively renovated property. This grant can significantly reduce upfront costs, making it easier for you to secure your first home in New South Wales.

To qualify, the home must be new and have a value that doesn’t exceed $600,000. Alternatively, if you're building on vacant land, the combined value of the land and building contract should not exceed $750,000.

Who is Eligible?

To be eligible for the FHOG in NSW, you must:

  1. Be at least 18 years old.
  2. Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
  3. Intend to live in the property for at least twelve months within the first 12 months of purchase or completion.
  4. Have not previously owned or co-owned a property in Australia.
  5. Purchase a property that meets the criteria for being a ‘new’ home, such as a newly built residence, a substantial renovation, or a home that was significantly altered.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens if I move out of my home in the first 12 months?
If you entered into a contract to purchase your home on or after 1 July 2023 and live in your home for a continuous period of twelve months, you may keep the grant. However, if you move out before twelve months, you’ll need to repay the grant.

2. Can I apply for the grant if I'm a temporary resident?
No, the FHOG is not available for temporary residents and cannot be backdated if you later obtain permanent residency.

3. My partner and I are buying the property jointly, and neither of us has owned a property before. Do we each get a grant?
No, the FHOG is issued per property transaction, not per person. Only a single grant is available for each purchase.

4. Does my income affect the grant, and is the grant taxed?
No, the FHOG is not means-tested, and you do not have to pay tax on it.

5. What type of home qualifies me for the grant?
eligible properties include new or substantially renovated Australian homes that meet local planning standards. This includes houses, home units, flats, or other types of self-contained, fixed dwellings.

6. I am buying an existing home. Do I qualify for the grant, or does it have to be a new home?
The FHOG is only available for new or substantially renovated homes. Existing homes do not qualify.

7. I already own property outside Australia. Do I still qualify for the grant?
Yes, owning property outside Australia does not disqualify you. The FHOG is only concerned with whether you have previously owned property in Australia.

8. What about investment properties?
If you have owned residential property solely as an investment since 1 July 2000, you may still be eligible for the FHOG on a new property.

9. I inherited a property. Can I claim the First Home Owner Grant for that?
No, the FHOG is only available to buyers or builders of the property; inherited properties are not eligible.

How to Apply for the First Home Owner Grant

Applying for the grant is straightforward. You can submit your application through your financial institution (if they are an approved agent) or directly with Revenue NSW. You’ll need to provide proof of identity, and you may need additional documentation depending on your specific situation.

Why the First Home Owner Grant Matters

Buying your first home is a huge financial commitment, and the FHOG offers a financial cushion that can help reduce the burden. Whether it covers a portion of your deposit or offsets other costs, the FHOG can make homeownership more attainable for first-time buyers in NSW.

Take the Next Step Towards Your First Home

Ready to make the most of the First Home Owner Grant? Speaking to a UNO broker can help you navigate the process and explore home loan options suited to your needs. Contact a UNO broker today to discuss how you can leverage the FHOG to achieve your homeownership goals.

Source: Revenue NSW

‍

5 stars for our service reviews from clients

Book Call Now

Janu Dhayanathan

October 31, 2024
Try Plans, by UNO
Mortgage calculators completely reimagined
Get Started
Considering a purchase or refinance?

Try Plans by UNO

Mortgage calculators completely reimagined
Get Started
☎ đŸš« No cold call promise

Related Articles

TESTIMONIALS

What our customers are saying

Philip Smith
December 20, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons provided my wife and I outstanding service for our home loan. I have never dealt with someone who is so helpful and goes the extra mile and provides such excellent service the way Mike did. Highly recommend Mike as your broker for all investment/home loans you won’t be disappointed.
Read more
Neil Venkataramiah
December 20, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons: Working with Mike was amazing. My wife and I were a couple from Sydney that had a 7 year stint overseas. On moving back, our loan had gone from Interest Only to Principal and Interest. The challenge: to get 2 recently re-patriated Aussies on an Interest Only loan. With only 1 year of Oz financials. And with income from an overseas company. We had equity in our property, but the ability to service was the issue. A very tough brief. Step in Mike. He contacted all his lenders, knowing that this was a unique situation. He never let up and followed through with calls and whatsapps at every stage of the process. We simply could not have got our Interest Only loan if it wasn’t for Mike. I highly recommend Mike for any loan or re-finance that you’re looking at. His attention to detail and ability to find creative solutions is second to none. And most importantly - he's a good guy that will guide you through the whole process in what can be a stressful time. Steph and Neil
Read more
Stéphane Aumont
December 19, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Highly recommend Mike - great service, very responsive and helped us through the whole process from product selection, approval all the way to settlement. Mike is supported by a great team at UNO
Read more
Gemma Smith
December 19, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons was truly amazing when he organized our home loan. He offered service that far exceeded my expectations. He was on top of everything and was very organised. He has a true “do it now” attitude and ensured everything ran smoothly. He went above and beyond to make sure everything was in place. He was always contactable (even when he was on holidays!). Keeping us up to date at every step and his communication was great! Would VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND Mike!
Read more
David Thorn
December 17, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
I had a fantastic experience with UNO Home Loans. I want to personally recognise the work of Mike Parsons from UNO. Mike went above and beyond in helping me navigate and select a lender his attention to detail, knowledge of the Market, Excellent Communication skills matched by a patient and friendly personality made the whole process simple and painless. Thanks Mike and thanks UNO
Read more
Kathryn Cretney
November 14, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Paul helped us from day one before we even arrived in Australia so we knew exactly what we needed to prepare. He’s got a tonne of knowledge and was really lovely and supportive to deal with. Helpful and easy going. Would highly recommend - now in our first Aussie home and Paul made the process all very easy!
Read more
Sean O'Neill
November 14, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
We received excellent service and a tailored solution to our home loan requirements from Uno. Paul kept us informed at all milestone stages and throughout the process he demonstrated a ‘can do’ attitude that ultimately allowed us to get over the line and meet our deadline. We’re most grateful and very impressed. Highly recommend
Read more
Crush Huston
November 8, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Paul is an amazing broker. Communicative, responsive and knows his stuff! Highly recommend
Read more
Amanda Pearce
November 7, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
After just four months in Australia, our New Zealand home sold, prompting us to stop renting and invest locally. We found Paul through a Kiwi Facebook group, and his exceptional service exceeded our expectations. From initial contact, Paul provided clear explanations, friendly communication, and prompt responses to our queries, making our mortgage process remarkably smooth. We highly recommend him.
Read more
Dom Saric
November 3, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons went above and beyond to ensure that our refinancing journey was painless and successful. He was communicative, accessible (even working while on holidays!), and his knowledge of the systems at play meant that he picked up on things that other brokers missed. Would 100% recommend Mike, and will definitely be back next time we need a broker.
Read more
Ashleigh Breaden
October 31, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons handled our refinance of our home loan with ease and a depth of knowledge that ensured we got the best deal possible for our situation. We didn't have an easy one to solve for with my husband being self employed and we were consolidating finances as well for a car loan. But Mike handled it all for us and once we had provided him with all the documents we literally didn't have to do a thing after that, it was so easy and so quick we are super happy with the experience! Top notch! Highly recommend!!
Read more
Kyle Richards
October 10, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Absolute legend, helped me through the first home buyers scheme, explained everything in a way that made sense, was very knowledgeable and a joy to work with.
Read more