Six common questions about the First Home Owners Grant

UNO fields questions about the First Home Owners Grant on a daily basis. Here, we break down the six most common questions we get asked, and answer them for you.

The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is money given by state governments to assist people to purchase their first home. The amounts vary from state to state and in many states it is only available for purchases of newly-built homes that have never been lived in. Queensland and Tasmania offer the most generous grant, at $20,000 for first home buyers. However, with the high cost of stamp duty in NSW, in that state the overall savings also end up quite high, at $10,000.

This website contains links to each state’s First Home Owners Grant page, featuring further information.

In the meantime, here are six of the most common questions we get asked about the First Home Owners Grant.

1 – How do I go about getting the First Home Owners Grant? Does the lender organise it for me or do I have to do it myself?

Most banks will organise and process the First Home Owners Grant application on your behalf.

At UNO, we provide our clients with a homeowner’s grant application form and assist them with completing the paperwork and gathering the necessary documents, including proof of identity, proof that you are a citizen or permanent resident, and proof of your current residential address. Once you’ve done this, we send it along to your approved lender and they take it from there.

It’s really important that you speak to your solicitor about your eligibility for the grant.

2 – Can I use the First Home Owners Grant as my deposit?

This is a common question and it’s a little confusing. The answer is no and yes. No you can’t, because the money isn’t made available to you until further along in the house purchase process. However, it will be considered as part of your overall contribution to the purchase once it’s made available, so in that sense, yes it can be used towards your home payment.

It should be noted that the FHOG is not actually paid to you – i.e. you don’t collect the mail one day and find a fat cheque from the government (unfortunately!). Rather, when you get to settlement, the money is made available to your solicitor to direct as required.

Furthermore, if you’re buying a house and land package, the money is, in some cases, ready to go once a concrete slab has been laid for the property, so the funds can be made available to draw in the construction process.

3 – Can I apply for the First Home Owners Grant in multiple states?

No. You can only receive the First Home Owners Grant once, and land title records in the various states show whether or not you’ve previously owned property. It is up to your solicitor to verify that you are eligible for the grant.

4 – Can I get the grant if I’m buying an investment property?

No, the First Home Owners Grant is available only for property you will live in. Rules vary from state to state, but generally you have to move into the property within 12 months of purchase and you need to live there for between six and 12 months. After that period, you are free to move out of the property and treat it as an investment.

5 – I already got the First Home Owners Grant with my ex-partner but we broke up. Can I get it again?

If you were registered as the owner of the property when you and your ex received the First Home Owners Grant, then you are not eligible to receive the grant again, even if you have split up. Sad but true.

However, if you are in a live-in relationship with somebody who has owned property before but you have never owned an owner-occupied property in your name, then you might be eligible for the First Home Owners Grant.

These rules vary from state to state, so it is important to check the details carefully on the state government’s website before you make any home purchase decisions.

6 – If I’ve owned or own an investment property, am I eligible to get the grant for my first live-in home?

If you have previously owned – or currently own – an investment property but have not occupied it for more than six months, you could still be eligible for the grant when purchasing your first home to live in. This varies from from state to state, and also depends on your unique situation.

The government makes changes to these policies quite regularly, so it’s best to check the state government websites for updates. And if you have any more questions that we can help you with, please feel free to at customer.care@uno.com.au or book a call with our customer care team today.

This information is general in nature and you should always seek professional advice when making financial decisions.



5 stars for our service reviews from clients

Book Call Now

UNO home loans

Try Plans, by UNO
Mortgage calculators completely reimagined
Get Started
Considering a purchase or refinance?

Try Plans by UNO

Mortgage calculators completely reimagined
Get Started
☎️ 🚫 No cold call promise

Related Articles

TESTIMONIALS

What our customers are saying

Kathryn Cretney
November 14, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Paul helped us from day one before we even arrived in Australia so we knew exactly what we needed to prepare. He’s got a tonne of knowledge and was really lovely and supportive to deal with. Helpful and easy going. Would highly recommend - now in our first Aussie home and Paul made the process all very easy!
Read more
Sean O'Neill
November 14, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
We received excellent service and a tailored solution to our home loan requirements from Uno. Paul kept us informed at all milestone stages and throughout the process he demonstrated a ‘can do’ attitude that ultimately allowed us to get over the line and meet our deadline. We’re most grateful and very impressed. Highly recommend
Read more
Crush Huston
November 8, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Paul is an amazing broker. Communicative, responsive and knows his stuff! Highly recommend
Read more
Amanda Pearce
November 7, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
After just four months in Australia, our New Zealand home sold, prompting us to stop renting and invest locally. We found Paul through a Kiwi Facebook group, and his exceptional service exceeded our expectations. From initial contact, Paul provided clear explanations, friendly communication, and prompt responses to our queries, making our mortgage process remarkably smooth. We highly recommend him.
Read more
Dom Saric
November 3, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons went above and beyond to ensure that our refinancing journey was painless and successful. He was communicative, accessible (even working while on holidays!), and his knowledge of the systems at play meant that he picked up on things that other brokers missed. Would 100% recommend Mike, and will definitely be back next time we need a broker.
Read more
Ashleigh Breaden
October 31, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons handled our refinance of our home loan with ease and a depth of knowledge that ensured we got the best deal possible for our situation. We didn't have an easy one to solve for with my husband being self employed and we were consolidating finances as well for a car loan. But Mike handled it all for us and once we had provided him with all the documents we literally didn't have to do a thing after that, it was so easy and so quick we are super happy with the experience! Top notch! Highly recommend!!
Read more
Kyle Richards
October 10, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Absolute legend, helped me through the first home buyers scheme, explained everything in a way that made sense, was very knowledgeable and a joy to work with.
Read more
Chloe S
October 8, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons made it possible for us and the in laws to get 2 pretty complicated home loans. He helped us through everything and we'd be happy to use Mike and the team again for anything we needed. Thanks again!
Read more
Sam Rezai
October 2, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
I have gone through 6 different mortgage brokers prior to meeting Andrew Wyers. He is the most patient mortgage broker I’ve encountered and also the most knowledgable about the bank’s lending process and products available. It took me 1 year to find a house I was happy with and Andrew was always there to assist with any issues or questions I had; he always return my phone call, even on the weekends or when his away on holidays. The loan process was smooth and I had no complications. The process with Andrew was again nice and easy, he took the time to find and put together the right package that was suited to my situation. I have recommended Andrew to my family & friends and everyone have been grateful and completely satisfied with his service.
Read more
S Wilko
September 23, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
I had not dealt with Scott or UNO before finding them on the internet. Even as an Australian citizen living and working overseas, I knew obtaining a loan would be difficult. However, Scott went above and beyond what I expected from a mortgage broker. I genuinely don’t think you could find another company that works as hard as they did to get my home loan approved. I cannot recommend them highly enough. Everyone I dealt with at UNO were extremely professional and helpful. If you are looking for a broker, you would be mad not to give them a go. Thanks to Scott Wilkinson, Dalby Bajwa, Jena Lasquite and Andrew Pacini. Shaun.
Read more
Shan Liao
September 3, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
I had an outstanding experience with Tian Liu. He was incredibly professional and attentive, going above and beyond to meet my needs. His expertise and dedication made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Tian's deep knowledge of the market and commitment to finding the best solutions for his clients truly sets him apart. He was always available to answer my questions and provided invaluable guidance throughout. I highly recommend Tian Liu to anyone in need of a reliable and skilled broker!"
Read more
Nathanael Chin
September 3, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Tian Liu provided exceptional service throughout the entire process. His professionalism and keen attention to detail were evident from the start. Tian consistently kept us informed and offered insightful advice that made us feel confident in our decisions. He truly cares about his clients and works tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcome. We couldn't be happier with his assistance and highly recommend Tian to anyone looking for a trustworthy and knowledgeable broker.
Read more