Eligibility
- At what date are my facts and circumstances considered in determining my eligibility for the grant?
The determination date is the commencement date of the eligible transaction. This is, the date of the contract to purchase or build a home, or for an owner builder the date the foundations commenced to be laid.
- Who is eligible for the grant?
You are eligible if:
you are buying or building your first home as a natural person, not as a company or trust
you, or a joint applicant, is an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia
you or your spouse (including de facto spouse) have not owned a home in Australia prior to 1 July 2000 (this includes investment homes)
you or your spouse (including de facto spouse) have not resided in a residential property in Australia in which you acquired an interest, on or after 1 July 2000 for a continuous period of at least six months
you occupy the home as your principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least six months commencing within one year of the completion of the transaction to which the application relates
you are at least 18 years of age
you have not already received a grant.
- I have owned an investment home previously. Can I still be eligible for the grant?
A person is not eligible if they or their spouse (including de facto spouse) has had a relevant interest in any residential property in Australia prior to 1 July 2000, whether they live in it or not.
However, a person may be eligible if they or their spouse (including de facto spouse) has only ever had a relevant interest in any residential property in Australia on or after 1 July 2000 and they have not resided in that property for a continuous period of at least six months.
- If I am divorced and my previous partner owned a home in their right, am I eligible for the grant?
If you are divorced, you are not required to take into account property in which you did not hold a relevant interest. Provided that you have not had a relevant interest in a previous residential property and all other eligibility criteria have been met, you will be eligible for the grant.
- If I previously owned vacant land but not a home, will I be eligible for the grant on the purchase or construction of my first home?
Yes. Vacant land is not regarded as residential property for the purposes of First Home Owner Grant.
- What if I have owned property in another country?
The rule regarding previous ownership applies only to homes within Australia.
- If I have owned a commercial property, would I be disqualified from getting the grant?
Not normally, provided that you met all the eligibility criteria and the commercial property did not include a residence. For example, a shop with a residence attached.
- I am an owner builder so I haven't entered into a building contract. What criteria do I have to meet?
You must not have commenced any building work prior to 1 July 2000. Commencement is defined as the laying of foundations as evidenced by your inspection reports. You must also meet all other eligibility requirements.
- Can a trust or a company apply for the grant?
No. A company and/or trust would not be eligible to receive the grant.
- Are permanent residents/New Zealand citizens able to apply for the grant?
Permanent residents may be eligible to receive the grant. For the purposes of the First Home Owner Grant, a permanent resident is:
the holder of a permanent visa as defined by the Migration Act 1958 (Cwlth), section 30(1); or
a New Zealand citizen who is the holder of a special category visa as defined by the Migration Act 1958 (Cwlth), section 32.
Permanent residents, when submitting their application, will need to provide proof they hold a permanent visa, such as a copy of their passport showing photo identification and the page of the passport showing the valid visa.
New Zealand citizens, when submitting their application, will need to provide proof they hold a special category visa. As special category visas are electronically recorded and not stamped on the passport. New Zealand applicants will also need to provide evidence that they are residing in Australia at the time of application.
- I am an Australian citizen (or permanent resident) but my partner or spouse is not. Do I qualify?
Yes. Only one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- I am building my home on someone else’s land. Will I be entitled to apply for the grant?
Yes you can apply for the grant provided you have a right to occupy the home under a lease, licence or other arrangement.
- Do all owners of the home have to be applicants?
All persons who hold a relevant interest in the land must be applicants.
A person with a relevant interest may be described as someone who will have a legal entitlement to occupy the home. Usually this will be the person(s) registered on title. However, for applications made on or after 2 July 2008 a person or persons who hold a small interest in the land (up to 5 per cent ownership share in total) are considered as not holding a relevant interest (for example, where a parent of the applicant takes a small interest in the land in order to assist with financing).
