Australia First Home Buyers Grant Calculator

What Is the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in the Australia?

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a one-off, tax-free government grant for first home buyers in Australia, funded and administered by each state and territory government. The scheme was introduced on 1 July 2000 to offset the GST impact on home ownership and remains one of the most significant forms of first home buyer assistance available today. Because each state manages the FHOG independently, first home buyer grant amounts, property price caps, and eligible property types vary considerably depending on where you buy.

In 2025 and 2026, the first home buyers grant Australia-wide ranges from $10,000 in NSW, VIC and WA, to $15,000 in SA, $30,000 in QLD and Tasmania, and as high as $50,000 in the Northern Territory for eligible new home builds. The ACT does not offer a direct cash grant but provides eligible buyers with a stamp duty exemption for first home buyers worth up to $35,238 through the Home Buyer Concession Scheme.

The FHOG is separate from federal first home buyer schemes including the First Home Guarantee (FHBG), which removes the need for Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) on a 5% deposit, and the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS), which allows buyers to withdraw up to $50,000 in voluntary super contributions toward a first home buyer deposit. In most cases, eligible buyers can stack multiple schemes to significantly reduce upfront costs when buying their first home in Australia.

Australia First Home Buyers Grant by State and Territory 2025/2026

The table below summarises the current first home owner grant amount by state across Australia. Use our FHOG calculator above to check your specific eligibility and estimate your total first home buyer government assistance including stamp duty savings.

*QLD $30,000 first home buyer grant Queensland applies to contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026. **TAS $30,000 grant applies from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026; $10,000 standard rate applies outside these dates.

Who Should Use This Australia First Home Buyers Grant Calculator?

This first home owner grant calculator Australia is designed for anyone considering buying or building their first home and wanting to understand what government grant for first home buyers and related assistance they may qualify for. It is especially useful for the following types of buyers.

• First-time buyers comparing first home owner grant eligibility and grant amounts across different states before deciding where to purchase
• Buyers checking whether their property type and purchase price falls within the FHOG price cap for their state
• Couples or individuals unsure whether they meet the citizenship, age, or ownership history requirements for the first home buyer scheme Australia
• Owner-builders and those signing a comprehensive home building contract who need to confirm new home grant Australia eligibility
• Buyers combining the FHOG with the First Home Guarantee, FHSS scheme, or Help to Buy scheme Australia who want to estimate their total benefit
• Previous property owners wanting to check updated rules and whether they still qualify for first home buyer assistance
• ACT residents who want to understand their stamp duty exemption first home buyer entitlement under the Home Buyer Concession Scheme

How to Use the First Home Buyers Grant Calculator Australia

1. 1Select your state or territory. Choose the state or territory where the property is located. First home buyer grant amounts and FHOG eligibility rules differ significantly across all eight jurisdictions in Australia.
2. 2Enter your property value. Enter the full purchase price or total build cost including land and contract variations. This is checked against your state's FHOG price cap to confirm eligibility for the first home owner grant.
3. 3Select your property type. Indicate whether you are buying a new home, building through a house and land package, purchasing off the plan, buying a substantially renovated property, or an established home. Most government grants for first home buyers are restricted to new builds.
4. 4WA buyers: select location type. Western Australia applies different FHOG price caps for properties north and south of the 26th parallel. Metro and regional WA buyers should select the correct location type for an accurate result.
5. 5Confirm eligibility details. Enter your age (must be 18 or over) and confirm you are a first home buyer and an Australian citizen or permanent resident. These are baseline requirements for the first home buyer scheme Australia-wide.
6. 6Click Calculate My Grant. Your FHOG grant amount, estimated stamp duty saving, and total first home buyer government assistance display instantly. Download a PDF of your result or a CSV for your records.

First Home Buyers Grant Worked Examples 2025/2026

FHOG Eligibility Requirements by State: Quick Reference 2025/2026

*NT offers a $10,000 HomeGrown Territory Grant for established homes in addition to the $50,000 new home grant.

Edge Cases, Exemptions and Special FHOG Situations

Previous property ownership and FHOG eligibility: If you or your spouse previously owned residential property in Australia on or after 1 July 2000 but did not live in it for 6 continuous months or more, you may still qualify for the first home owner grant in some states. SA updated this rule from 13 February 2025: under current SA FHOG rules, having ever owned residential property in Australia disqualifies you regardless of occupancy history.

Australian Defence Force members: ADF members may be exempt from the 6 or 12-month principal place of residence requirement for FHOG eligibility in some states, provided all applicants are on the state's electoral roll.

New Zealand citizens and the first home buyer scheme: NZ citizens living in Australia on a Special Category Visa are eligible for the FHOG in most states. In VIC, an NZ citizen's spouse or partner must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident if the NZ citizen holds permanent resident (not citizen) status.

Substantially renovated homes: A property qualifies as substantially renovated for FHOG purposes if most of the building has been removed or replaced and the sale is a taxable supply under the GST Act. Cosmetic renovations do not qualify. Always confirm with your state revenue office before assuming first home owner grant eligibility.

Off-the-plan purchases and FHOG: For an off-the-plan purchase to be eligible for the first home buyer grant, the lot and plan description must be registered after the contract date. If the lot was already registered before the contract, the purchase does not qualify as off the plan for FHOG purposes in most states.

Stacking First Home Buyer Schemes: FHOG, First Home Guarantee, FHSS and Help to Buy

The FHOG is just one part of the first home buyer assistance available in Australia. The most effective strategy is to combine eligible schemes to maximise your first home buyer deposit help and reduce upfront costs.

First Home Guarantee (FHBG): This federal first home buyer scheme, administered by Housing Australia, allows eligible buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). The government guarantees up to 15% of the loan value. As of October 2025, income caps were removed entirely and places became unlimited, making the First Home Guarantee accessible to a much wider pool of buyers. Property price caps apply by region. The LMI saving on a $700,000 purchase at 5% deposit typically ranges from $20,000 to $28,000.

First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS): The FHSS scheme allows first home buyers to withdraw up to $50,000 of voluntary super contributions plus associated earnings for a first home buyer deposit. Contributions must have been made from 1 July 2017 onwards. The ATO releases the funds directly to you, and the tax treatment is concessional. The FHSS scheme can be combined with the FHOG and First Home Guarantee.

Help to Buy scheme Australia: A federal shared equity scheme launched on 5 December 2025 where the government contributes up to 40% of a new home's purchase price (or 30% for an established home), requiring as little as a 2% deposit. The scheme is income tested and means tested. When you sell, the government receives a proportional share of the proceeds. You cannot combine the Help to Buy scheme with the First Home Guarantee simultaneously.

Stamp duty exemption for first home buyers: All states and territories offer some form of stamp duty concession or exemption for first home buyers. NSW exempts stamp duty on properties up to $800,000. VIC provides full exemption up to $600,000. QLD charges zero duty on new homes (from 1 May 2025) with no price cap. SA provides full stamp duty exemption for new homes. These concessions are separate from and in addition to the FHOG cash grant.

Family Home Guarantee: For eligible single parents or single legal guardians with at least one dependent child, this federal scheme allows purchasing with a 2% deposit and no LMI. It is available to previous homeowners re-entering the market, not only first home buyers.

How to Apply for the First Home Owner Grant

The process for applying for the first home owner grant is similar across all states and territories. There are two main application pathways.

Apply through your lender (recommended): Most banks and mortgage brokers can submit the FHOG application on your behalf when you apply for a home loan. This is the most common approach as it aligns the grant payment with settlement (or first construction drawdown for builds). Confirm your lender is an approved agent for the FHOG in your state.

Apply directly with the state revenue office: If your lender is not handling the application, or if you have already completed settlement or construction, you can apply directly through your state or territory revenue office. Applications must be lodged within 12 months of settlement or construction completion.

Documents required when applying for the first home buyer grant typically include valid photo ID (passport or driver's licence) for all applicants, the signed sale contract or comprehensive home building contract, proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency, and a statutory declaration confirming no prior property ownership in Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions: First Home Buyers Grant Australia

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