What you need to know about Queensland’s First Home Owner Grant

The Queensland Revenue Office has an eligibility tester tool that can help you identify whether your circumstances allow you to apply for the FHOG.

Applying for the Queensland FHOG

The timing of the submission of the application for the grant depends on your property transaction type. Here are the timeframes you must remember for each transaction:

• Direct purchase of the home – You must submit your application within one year of taking possession of the new home or having the title registered under your name.

• Contract to build — The grant application for a contract-to-build transaction must be submitted within one year of the new home being completed when the final inspection certificate is issued.

• Owner-builder – If you are an owner-builder, you must apply within one year after you completed the construction of your home.

There are two ways to apply for the grant. It can be through an approved agent, which includes banks and lending institutions, or through the Queensland Revenue Office.

For many first-home buyers who do not want the hassle of applying for the grant, the first option is the way to go — your lender will confirm your eligibility for the grant and manage your application.

Applying through the Queensland Revenue Office is for those under a contract or as owner-builder. In this option, you will be applying directly to the state government, which can be done online using the grant’s web portal.

What documents are needed for the grant application?

When you submit for the grant online, you will need to provide several documents to support your application.

You will need the following documents to serve as proof of your property transaction:

• A copy of the contract for sale

• A title search showing the applicant as owners

• A statement from the vendor stating the property has never been occupied since the completion of the transaction

• Final build cost statement from the builder

• Evidence of the total value of the property (for owner-builders)

The identification requirements are categorised into four categories. You will need to provide one document from each category with your application. Take note that one document from one category cannot be used for the other category.

Category 1

• Australian birth certificate

• Australian passport (must be current)

• Australian citizenship certificate

• Current passport or ImmiCard and visa

• Titre de Voyage

Category 2

• Australian driver's licence

• Australian firearm licence

• Australian proof of age card

• Passport

Category 3

• Medicare card

• Car registration

• Debit or credit card

• Concession card

• Veteran card

Category 4

• Utility bill (electricity, gas)

• Bank statement

• Home insurance policy

If you have changed your name or marital status, you will need to provide any of the following:

• Change of name certificate

• Marriage certificate

• Divorce certificate

• Any document that is evidence of another change in status (e.g. death, separation)

When will the grant be paid?

The timeframe for the payment of the grant depends on your property transaction and your mode of application.

If you are applying through your lender, you will receive the grant in the following situations:

• When buying a home, including off-the-plan purchases, you will receive the grant at settlement.

• For contracts to build your new home, you will receive the grant on the first drawdown of funds.

• When building your home as an owner-builder, you will receive the grant on receipt of a final inspection certificate.

On the other hand, there are different circumstances by which the grant is paid when you apply directly to the Queensland Revenue Office:

• The grant will not be paid until the home is complete and you have supplied all the supporting documents.

• You will get paid when you have a registration confirmation statement of title search showing your name on the title of the property.

• When building your home, your grant will be paid when you have a final inspection certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Queensland FHOG

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Queensland’s First Home Owner Grant:

Can I use the grant as a home loan deposit?

No — the grant is paid at varying times depending on how and when you apply or whether you are building or buying. This means that it is not ideal for you to use the grant as a home loan deposit.

Will my income impact my application for the grant?

No, your income will not, in any way, impact your application for the grant. Queensland’s FHOG is not means-tested and does not have any income-related eligibility requirements.

When applying for the grant with a partner, will each of us be able to receive the grant?

The grant is payable per transaction. This means that two first-home buyers involved with the purchase of a single property will only be eligible for one grant.

Can I still apply for the grant even if I have property overseas?

You will still be eligible for the grant even if you own a property overseas provided that you have never owned a property in Australia.

Are there any additional incentives or concessions available for first-home buyers in Queensland?

Yes, on top of the FHOG, you may be eligible for other incentives and concessions, including the First Home Concession, which provides a reduction in stamp duty for eligible properties, and the First Home Vacant Land Concession, which offers a partial exemption or reduction of transfer duty for vacant land intended for building a first home.

Can the FHOG be combined with other government grants or schemes?

Yes, the FHOG can usually be combined with other government grants or schemes, such as the Home Guarantee Scheme or the First Home Super Saver Scheme. It is crucial, however, to check the specific requirements and conditions of each program to ensure eligibility and any potential limitations.

Is there a deadline for applying for the FHOG?

There is no specific deadline for applying for the FHOG in Queensland. However, your application must be submitted at specific timeframes depending on your property transaction.