Frequent questions
- 1) When does the Regional Relocation Grant start and finish?
The RRG is available for 4 years and is available where the contract to purchase is entered into on or after 1 July 2011 and on or before 30 June 2015
- 2) How do I apply for the grant?
You can lodge an online application, or print and post your completed application form to us. If you are unable to lodge online or print an application form, contact us.
- 3) When can I lodge my application?
An application may only be lodged after the regional home or vacant land purchase has completed and purchasers are registered on title. The application can be made at any time up to 12 months after the completion date and an application can not be made after 31 December 2015
- 4) Who is an applicant?
A person is considered an applicant only if they are:
1) An owner of the regional home, and
2. is or was an owner of the metropolitan home.
Example - Husband and wife purchased the regional home in joint names. However, only the husband owned the metropolitan home. In this scenario only the husband is considered an applicant and the wife would not complete the application as she did not own the metropolitan home.
- 5) Do all applicants need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident?
Only one applicant needs to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident as at the completion date (date purchasers are registered on title as owners) of the regional property. A New Zealand citizen who holds a section 32 special category visa is considered a permanent resident
- 6) How long do I need to live in the Regional home?
All applicants must occupy the regional home as their principal place of residence for at least 12 continuous months commencing within 12 months after the completion date of the regional property purchase.
- 7) Do all applicants need to live in the regional home?
Yes.
- 8) Can the Chief Commissioner vary the residency requirement?
If satisfied there are good reasons to do so, the Chief Commissioner can reduce or waive the residency period and can extend the period to commence occupation. Each request must be in writing clearly setting out the circumstances and be supported with documentary evidence. Requests are treated on a case by case basis.
- 9) If we buy two regional homes can we get 2 grants?
No only one grant is payable per household. For example, one metropolitan home is sold and 2 homes are purchased in regional NSW only one grant is payable.
- 10) When must I have owned and resided in the metropolitan home as my principal place of residence?
To be an applicant you must own or have previously owned a metropolitan home within 12 months preceding the date you commenced (contract exchange date) purchasing the regional property. At least one applicant must have occupied the metropolitan home as their principal place of residence during that 12 month period.
- 11) How long do I have to sell my metropolitan home?
The metropolitan home can be sold in the 12 months before you commence purchasing the regional home or within 12 months after completing the purchase of the regional property.
- 12) Can the Chief Commissioner approve a longer period to dispose of the metropolitan home?
The Chief Commissioner may approve a longer period only if satisfied that the delay is caused by circumstances beyond the control of the applicant. Each request must be in writing clearly setting out the circumstances and be supported with documentary evidence. Requests are treated on a case by case basis.
- 13) How will the grant be paid?
The grant will be paid electronically directly to your nominated account.
- 14) When will the grant be paid?
The grant will be paid within 21 working days after a complete application together with all required supporting documents have been lodged.
- 15) What is the maximum purchase price of the regional home or vacant land?
The consideration for the purchase or the unencumbered value of an established home or off-the-plan purchase must not exceed $600,000. The consideration for the purchase or unencumbered value of vacant land must not exceed $450,00.
- 16) Is there a value limit for the sale of the metropolitan home?
No, there is no value limit placed on the metropolitan home.
- 17) Do I have to sell the whole of the metropolitan property?
Yes, the transfer must result in 100% of the ownership of the home being transferred.
- 18) Do I have to purchase the whole of the regional home?
Yes. To qualify an applicant must purchase a regional home. A home is purchased if land that is the site of a regional home is transferred to the applicant (either solely or jointly with other transferees) for valuable consideration.
The transfer must result in 100% of the ownership of the home (land) being transferred.
- 19) Does a purchase of a kit home or relocatable home qualify for the grant?
A purchase of a kit home or relocatable home does not qualify for the grant unless it's part of a house/land package. If the applicant has acquired vacant land on or after 1 July 2011 with the intention of building a home, the purchase of a kit home or relocatable home to be placed on the land may satisfy the building requirements associated with the payment of the grant on the purchase of the vacant land.
- 20) What is a home?
A home is a building (affixed to land in NSW) that:
a) may lawfully be used as a place of residence, and
b) is, in the Chief Commissioner’s opinion, a suitable building for use as a place of residence.
A building suitable for a place of residence includes a house, a unit or flat, a townhouse, a villa home, or any other type of self-contained dwelling affixed to land, (including a manufactured home as defined in the Local Government Act 1993) where evidence can be provided that the local Council is satisfied that the dwelling can be occupied as a place of residence.
A building is not suitable for occupation as a place of residence, for example, if the building is a shed or a factory.
- 21) Is the grant available on the purchase of vacant land or on the construction of a home?
Yes, the purchase of vacant land on which the purchaser intends to build a home will be eligible for the grant, provided the laying of foundations for the home commence within 6 months and the applicant/s commence occupation of the home as his or her principal place of residence within 12 months, of completion of the land purchase. This would be subject to the Chief Commissioner's discetion to extend for circumstances outside the control of the applicant.
The purchase price or value of the vacant land must not exceed $450 000.
- 22) I lodged my application online but I have lost my application acknowledgement form or I was unable to print my acknowledgement form. What can I do?
You will be able to print another application acknowledgement form as long as you have your RRG reference number. If you need assistance contact us.
- 23) What am I to do if I am unable to sell my metropolitan home or move into my Regional home within the required 12 month period?
You must contact OSR and explain your circumstances before the 12 months are up and we will advise you of the options available.
- 24) I am no longer intending to meet the conditions of payment. How can I return the grant?
The $7,000 must be returned within 12 months and 14 days from the completion date of the regional home purchase to avoid penalties being imposed.
Return payment by cheque made out to the Office of State Revenue and attach a letter providing the following information:
reason why you are no longer entitled to retain the grant (e.g., I have decided not to relocate to the regional area. I have decided not to sell my metropolitan home.)
your RRG reference number
your full name and current address
the address of the regional home for which the grant was paid.
- 25) Can I use the regional home or land for another purpose other than residential?
The land and home must be used for residential purposes only.
The land and home must not be used for non residential purposes such as a commercial, industrial, or professional purpose. However, the purchase of a farming property that includes a home is not excluded.
- 26) Can a company or a trust apply for the grant?
No, all applicants must be a natural person and must not purchase the regional home in his or her capacity as trustee.
- 27) If I am currently renting a metropolitan home, am I eligible for the Regional Relocation Grant?
No. To be eligible for the Grant you must have owned and occupied the metropolitan home as your principal place of residence within 12 months before the purchase of the regional home.
- 28) Has any regional area opted out of the scheme?
Yes. By government regulation effective from 16 March 2012, the Byron local government area is declared to be an area for which the regional relocation grant is not available. This regulation will apply to any purchase which commenced on or after 16 March 2012. Purchase prior to that date may still qualify.
- 29) Can I qualify for the grant if I acquire a home in a retirement village?
To qualify for the grant you must not only acquire the home (dwelling) but you must also become the registered owner of the land on which the home is built. In many retirement complexes, the owners of the dwellings do not have an interest in the land and are required to enter into a long term leases with the company managing the retirement complex for the right to occupy. In these circumstances, the grant is not payable.
