First Home Owner Boost and NSW Supplement
- Can a Developer or Builder apply for an extension to the construction commencement date?
No, only an applicant may apply for an extension in respect of their application.
- Will the Chief Commissioner grant an extension to the construction commencement date?
The Chief Commissioner may allow an extension where the delay was caused by circumstances beyond the control of the parties. Each request will be considered on a case by case basis.
A request for an extension to the commencement date will only be considered after:
you have lodged your FHOGS Application and Addendum forms, and
construction has commenced - if lodged with your financial institution, or
construction has been completed – if lodged directly with OSR.
Where the construction completion date stated in the contract is within 24 months of the contract date or if not stated, construction is completed within 24 months of the contract date, favourable consideration will be given.
The following list (non-exhaustive) provides other factors that are likely to be considered favourably:
1. delays in the registration and release of a new subdivision of land
2. delays in obtaining council approvals
3. inclement weather, provided that disruption caused is substantial
4. industrial disputes
5. natural disasters
6. any specific project delays.
All requests for an extension must be lodged directly with OSR. Requests should be in writing addressed to the Chief Commissioner and the following documents should be included in support of the request:
1. Letter from the applicant(s) requesting an extension stating:
the reason for the delay
applicant/s full name/s
day time contact phone number
property address
your FHOGS application number if you lodged your application through your financial institution. The FHOGS application number is known as the ‘UIN Number’ and will be available from them.
Note: There is no need to provide the ‘UIN Number’ if you are lodging your FHOGS application directly with OSR. However, please ensure you lodge your request for an extension with your application form.
2. A copy of the relevant pages of the contract to build which clearly show
parties to the contract
construction commencement date (if shown)
construction completion date (if shown)
signature page, signed by all parties.
3. A letter from the relevant third party (eg: builder, developer, local council or private surveyor etc.) or other documentary evidence which clearly identifies the nature of the delay and the actual date the foundations were laid.
- What is the First Home Owner Boost Scheme?
The First Home Owner Boost Scheme is an Australian Government initiative to assist people to purchase or build their first home.
- How much is a First Home Owner Boost Scheme benefit?
Established home - For contracts made between 14 October 2008 – 30 September 2009 (inclusive): An extra $7,000 to first home buyers purchasing an established home
For contracts made between 1 October 2009 – 31 December 2009 (inclusive): An extra $3,500 to first home buyers purchasing an established home
New home - For contracts made between 14 October 2008 – 30 September 2009 (inclusive): An extra $14,000 for first home buyers purchasing or building a new home.
For contracts made between 1 October 2009 – 31 December 2009 (inclusive) An extra $7,000 to first home buyers purchasing or building a new home.
These amounts are in addition to the existing $7,000 First Home Owner Grant.
- What is the NSW New Home Buyers Supplement Scheme?
The New Home Buyers Supplement Scheme is a NSW Government initiative to assist first home buyers purchasing or building a new home
The NSW New Home Buyers Supplement scheme only applies to new homes and is not available for established homes.
- I am not buying my first home but I am having one built. Am I entitled to the NSW New Home Buyers Supplement?
Yes – The NSW New Home Buyers Supplement is also available to first home owners building a home through a building contract or as an owner builder.
- How much is a NSW New Home Buyers Supplement Scheme benefit?
New home - An extra $3,000 for first home buyers purchasing or building a new home.
Established home - There is no supplement available for purchasing an established home.
- Do I still receive the $7,000 First Home Owner Grant if I receive the Boost and the NSW New Home Buyers benefits?
Yes - Payments for the Boost and NSW New Home Buyers Supplement schemes are in addition to the existing $7,000 First Home Owner Grant.
- What is a new home?
A new home is a home that has not previously been sold or occupied as a place of residence, including occupation by the builder, a tenant or other occupant.
- Are units / apartments considered as a home?
Yes units and apartments are considered as homes.
A home is described as a building/ structure which may lawfully be used as a place of residence and is suitable for use as a place of residence.
- When does the First Home Owner Boost Scheme apply from?
The First Home Owner Boost Scheme applies to contracts dated between 14 October 2008 and 31 December 2009 (inclusive). For owner builders construction must have commenced between those dates.
- If my contract is dated before 14 October 2008, do I qualify for the First Home Owner Boost Scheme?
No. To be eligible for the First Home Owner Boost Scheme, contracts must have been exchanged (signed and dated) between 14 October 2008 and 31 December 2009 (inclusive).
- When does the NSW New Home Buyers Supplement scheme apply from?
The NSW New Home Buyers Supplement scheme applies to contracts dated between 11 November 2008 and 30 June 2010 (inclusive). For owner builders construction must have commenced between those dates.
- If my contract is dated before 11 November 2008, do I qualify for the NSW New Home Buyers Supplement?
No. To be eligible for the NSW New Home Buyers Supplement Scheme, contracts must have been exchanged (signed and dated) between 11 November 2008 and 30 June 2010 (inclusive).
- Can I rescind my contract and enter into a new contract after the commencement date of the relevant scheme to purchase or build the same home?
The First Home Owner Boost and NSW New Home Buyers Supplement Schemes will not apply to a contract which replaces a rescinded contract made before the commencement of the relevant scheme to purchase the same home or to build the same or a substantially similar home.
- Who is eligible for the First Home Owner Boost and NSW New Home Buyers Supplement Schemes?
To be eligible for the First Home Owner Boost Scheme and the NSW New Home Buyers Supplement Scheme, first home buyers must satisfy the requirements of the existing $7,000 First Home Owner Grant and the additional requirements for the Boost and NSW New Home Buyers Supplement Schemes. The requirements are detailed in the First Home Owner Boost and NSW New Home Buyers Supplement factsheets and addendum.
- How do I apply for the First Home Owner Boost and the NSW New Home Buyers Supplement Schemes?
To apply for the First Home Owner Boost Scheme benefit for an established home, first home buyers only need to complete the First Home Owner Grant application form (OFH 001).
To apply for the First Home Owner Boost Scheme and the $3,000 NSW New Home Buyers Supplement Scheme benefits for building a new home or purchasing a newly constructed home, first home buyers need to complete the First Home Owner Grant application form (OFH 001) and the Addendum for the First Home Owner Boost and NSW New Home Buyers Supplement Schemes (OFH 002).
- Does the price of the home need to be under a limit for the first home buyers to receive the First Home Owner Boost or the NSW New Home Buyers Scheme benefit?
Currently there is no limit on the price of the home. Please note that the amount of the total benefits payable can not exceed the consideration paid to buy or build the home.
- Are the First Home Owner Boost and NSW New Home Buyers Supplement Schemes means tested?
No, the First Home Owner Boost and NSW New Home Buyers Supplement Scheme are not means tested.
- Is there a limit to total number of Boost or NSW New Home Buyers Supplement payments to be made?
There is no limit to the number of Boost or NSW New Home Buyers Supplement payments. All applicants who qualify for the payments will receive the additional payment.
- Can a home still be ’New’ even if it was completed some time ago?
Yes as long as it is the first sale of the home and the home has never been occupied as a place of residence.
- What additional evidence do I need to provide if I enter into a contract to buy a new home?
You must provide a statement from the vendor or other evidence, which clearly states or shows that the home has not been previously lived in and that this is for the first sale of the home.
- What additional rules are there if you enter into a building contract for a new home?
Construction must commence within 26 weeks of the contract and the contract must specify a completion date for building work within 18 months of the construction commencing or if the contract does not specify a completion date construction must be completed within 18 months of the construction commencing.
- What additional rules are there if you enter into a contract to purchase 'off the plan'?
Commonwealth’s Boost - For contracts entered into between 14 October 2008 – 30 June 2009 (inclusive):
The contract must specify a completion date of on or before 31 December, 2010 or if the contract does not specify a completion date the contract must be completed by 31 December 2010.
For contracts entered into between 1 July 2009 – 30 September 2009 (inclusive): The contract must specify a completion date of on or before 31 March 2011. If the contract does not specify a completion date the contract must be completed by 31 March 2011.
For contracts entered into between 1 October 2009 – 31 December 2009 (inclusive): The contract must specify a completion date of on or before 30 June 2011. If the contract does not specify a completion date, the contract must be completed by 30 June 2011.
NSW New Home Buyers Supplement
For a contract made on or after 11 November 2008 and on or before 10 November 2009 the contract must specify a completion date of on or before 10 May 2011 or if the contract does not specify a completion date the contract must be completed by 10 May 2011.
For a contract made after 10 November 2009 and on or before 30 June 2010 the contract must specify a completion date of on or before 31 December 2011 or if the contract does not specify a completion date the contract must be completed by 31 December 2011.
- What additional rules are there if you are an ‘Owner Builder’?
Construction must commence (i.e. laying foundations) on or after 14 October 2008 and on or before 30 September 2009 to be eligible for the extra $14,000 and between 1 October and 31 December 2009 to be eligible to the extra $7,000 boost. Construction must be completed within 18 months of commencement.
- Can I get the increased benefits for new homes if I am purchasing a home that has been substantially renovated?
Yes, provided each of the following conditions are satisfied
the sale of the home to you is, under the A New Tax System (Goods and Services) Act 1999 (C’th), a taxable supply of new residential premises that have been created through substantial renovations of a building, and
the home, as so renovated, has not been previously occupied (by the seller or anybody else), or sold, as a place of residence.
It will be necessary for the seller to indicate that each of these requirements have been satisfied
Note: To be eligible for the boost, the contract for the purchase of the substantially renovated home (as described below) must have been entered into on or after 14 October 2008 and on or before 31 December 2009.
To be eligible for the supplement the contract for the purchase of the substantially renovated home (as described below) must have been entered into on or after 11 November 2008 and on or before 30 June 2010.
When have new residential premises been created through substantial renovations of a building?
Under sec.195.1 of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services ) Act 1999 (C’th), `substantial renovations’ of a building are defined as renovations in which all, or substantially all, of a building is removed or replaced. The renovations may, but need not, involve the removal or replacement of foundations, external walls, interior supporting walls, floors, roof or staircases.
This definition requires consideration of what work has been done to the building since it was acquired by the person who is selling the renovated property to you. The renovations must have affected the building as a whole, and resulted in the removal or replacement of all, or substantially all, of the previous building. For renovations to have been substantial, they must have affected most of the rooms in the previous building. The renovation of only one part of a building without any work on the remaining parts of the building, e.g. the renovation of only one bedroom in a four-bedroom house, would not have constituted substantial renovations. Similarly, the removal and replacement of a kitchen and bathroom with little else having been done to the building (apart from minor repair work) would not be substantial renovations.
There must have been a removal or replacement of all, or a substantial part, of the structural and/or non-structural components of the previous building. Structural building work includes: altering or replacement of foundations, replacement or alteration of floors or supporting walls (interior and exterior), lifting or modification of roofs, and the replacement of existing windows and doors such that it is necessary to alter brickwork. Non-structural building work includes: replacing electrical wiring, replacing or altering non-supporting walls (interior or exterior), plastering or rendering an entire wall or walls, plumbing (e.g. replacing pipes), or replacing kitchen cupboards, bathroom fixtures, air-conditioning or security systems.
Substantial renovations do not include cosmetic work such as painting, sanding floors, replacing light fittings, or replacing curtains and carpets. However, where structural and/or non-structural building work amounts to substantial renovations that have created new residential premises, any cosmetic work also undertaken will form part of the new residential premises.
Applications for an increased grant on the basis that the applicant has purchased new residential premises that have been created through substantial renovations of a building will be considered on a case by case basis. In particular cases, the Chief Commissioner may require further evidence that the requirements set out above have been met.
- Can I get a grant for renovating my own home?
No. You cannot get a grant (of any amount) for renovating (to any extent) your existing home.
- If I am purchasing a manufactured/kit home, what supporting documentation do I need to provide?
When purchasing a manufactured/kit home, you will need to provide:
copy of the contract or agreement to purchase the home or bill of sale for the home
a final building inspection report
title search.
- What additional rules are there if I am purchasing a new manufactured/kit home?
You must enter into a contract or agreement to purchase the manufactured/kit home on or after 14 October 2008 and on or before 30 September 2009 to be eligible for the extra $14,000 and between 1 October and 31 December 2009 to be eligible to the extra $7,000 boost. Construction must be completed within 18 months of commencement.
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