If you’re looking at buying or building your first home, you may be able to get a one-off grant from the government to help turn your dream into a reality faster. Here’s how it works, how much you could receive, and how to apply.
16 July 2026 - 6 min read
This information is correct as at 2 July 2026.
First home buyer support varies between states and territories. The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) specifically is a one-off payment from the government to help people buy or build their first property.
In practical terms, the First Home Owner Grant is a cash payment made to eligible applicants at or around the time of settlement or the completion of construction. It is not a loan and does not attract interest, and may contribute to the deposit of a first home when certain criteria are met. It is a national scheme funded by the states and territories and administered under their own legislation, so it varies by state and territory.
In many states, this grant is $10,000 to $30,000 for eligible new homes. The Northern Territory currently offers a separate $50,000 grant for buying or building a new eligible home.
Other support for first home buyers includes Help to Buy, Home Buyer Concession Scheme, or Home Grown Territory Grant.
The amount you receive under the First Home Owner Grant depends entirely on the state or territory where you are purchasing. First home buyer support ranges from $10,000 to $50,000, and these amounts and conditions are subject to change, so be sure to check the official government website for your state or territory (which we explain below).
Beyond the grant itself, each state and territory also offers varying levels of stamp duty relief, concessions, or exemptions for eligible first home buyers. These measures, taken together, can substantially reduce the upfront costs of purchasing residential property, making the path to home ownership more accessible for a greater number of Australians.
Learn more at the federal government’s First Home Owner Grant website.
While eligibility criteria vary by state and territory, there are several general conditions that apply across the national scheme. You need to:
The grant is not means tested, so your income has no bearing on your eligibility for the grant. And, as it’s a first home owner’s grant, you can only receive the grant once, across all Australian states and territories.
Because each state and territory administers the grant under its own legislation, the rules, amounts, and property value caps can differ significantly. Here is a breakdown with official links for each jurisdiction.
The NSW first home owner grant of $10,000 applies to newly built or substantially renovated homes, and the purchase price must be no more than $600,000. For those purchasing vacant land and building on it, the total combined cost of land, the building contract, and building variations must not be more than $750,000.
Learn more at the Revenue NSW website.
The First Home Owner Grant is a $10,000 payment to help eligible first home buyers purchase or build a new home in Victoria, valued up to $750,000.
Learn more at the State Revenue Office website.
Queensland has a $30,000 First Home Owner Grant for eligible new homes valued under $750,000.
Learn more at the Queensland Revenue Office website.
A $10,000 grant for people buying or building their first new home. The cap on the value of the home depends on where the home is located.
Learn more at the Government of Western Australia website.
A grant of up to $15,000 for people buying or building their first new home. No property value cap applies for contracts or construction that began on or after 6 June 2024.
Learn more at the Revenue SA website.
First home buyers who purchase or build a new home in Tasmania may be eligible for a grant of up to $30,000. From 1 July 2026, the amount reduces to $20,000, subject to the passage of legislation.
Learn more at the State Revenue Office of Tasmania website.
The Territory government offers first home buyers a HomeGrown Territory Grant of up to $50,000 to put towards buying or building a new home.
Learn more at the Northern Territory Government website.
The ACT First Home Owner Grant has been replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, which provides a full stamp duty concession for eligible applicants. All properties in the ACT are eligible for the scheme, but buyer eligibility tests still apply.
Learn more at the ACT Revenue Office website.
Once you’ve found a house that fits your budget, it’s time to work out what deposit you can put down. A larger deposit means you’ll need to borrow less, which means you’ll pay less interest and potentially lower your monthly repayments.
Usually, 20% of the full value of the house is a good amount to aim for as a deposit. You can still get a loan if you have a smaller deposit, but you may need to take out Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) which adds an additional cost to your loan.
There are other grants that could help you on your journey to home ownership. These vary state-by-state. For instance, New South Wales has the NSW First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme, which entitles eligible people to stamp duty concessions or even exemption from transfer duty.
Other states have similar duty exemptions, schemes and grants, but the names, dependencies, eligibility criteria and amounts vary.
The federal government's Help to Buy scheme is designed to help lower and middle income earners purchase a home with a smaller deposit and a smaller home loan, with the government taking a shared equity interest.
The federal government 5% deposit scheme allows eligible buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI is usually charged to borrowers with a deposit that's less than 20% of the property value).
The best way to find out what eligibility criteria apply to you and your situation is to either check out the First Home government website, speak to a home loan professional, or come see us in your local branch.
Learn more at the Federal Government First Home Buyers website.
There are different rules and ways to apply for the FHOG based on the state or territory where you’re wanting to buy. First, you'll need to check that you fit all of the eligibility requirements. You'll then need to complete an application form. An approved agent (such as Westpac) can help you do this.
You can use the First Home government website to find out how to apply for a grant in your state.
You can also visit us at your local Westpac branch. Our team has in-depth knowledge of their local market and would be more than happy to walk you through the process.
The timing of your FHOG payment depends on whether you are purchasing or building:
For purchases: The grant is generally paid at settlement.
For construction (building contracts): Where a home is being built, the grant may be paid as a progress payment at the first drawdown of the construction loan, rather than waiting until the home is complete. This helps buyers manage cash flow during the construction period.
Owner-builders: If you are an owner-builder, the grant is typically paid once construction is complete and you provide the required documentation confirming the build cost and occupancy.
Making the most of the FHOG means understanding how it fits into your overall financial situation. Here are some useful starting points:
Navigating the first home owner grant, deposit schemes, stamp duty concessions, and home loan options can feel overwhelming, especially when you are making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. That’s where speaking to a specialist can make a real difference.
A Westpac home lending specialist can help you understand:
The First Home Owners Grant remains a practical and accessible form of government support available to first home buyers in Australia. Whether you are purchasing a brand new apartment, signing a contract to build on vacant land, or buying a substantially renovated home, the FHOG can provide a meaningful one-off payment that helps reduce the financial pressure of entering the property market for the first time.
The key is understanding what is available in your state or territory, confirming your eligibility early in the process, and working with an approved agent or lender who can help you bring it all together at settlement.
Ask a dedicated lender about home loans and for guidance on next steps. Your lender will be able to start the application for you.
Use our calculator to estimate both your maximum borrowing power and what you could afford to borrow for a home loan, based on your preferred repayment amount, income and lifestyle.
Learn how to calculate your price range, how much deposit you’ll need and other costs (like interest rates and LMI) to bear in mind when buying your own home.
The family security guarantee is another way to make saving a deposit for a home easier. Find out how the guarantee works.
Credit criteria, fees and charges apply.
This information is general in nature and has been prepared without taking your personal objectives, circumstances and needs into account. You should consider the appropriateness of the information to your own circumstances and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.