First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

The Australian Government continues to assist people buying or building their first home with a First Home Owner Grant (FHOG).

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) scheme was introduced on 1 July 2000 to offset the effect of the GST on home ownership. It is a national scheme funded by the states and territories and administered under their own legislation.

Under the scheme, a one-off grant of up to $7000 is payable to first home owners that satisfy all the eligibility criteria.

First Home Owner Boost

On 14 October 2008, the Government announced a First Home Owner Boost, which supplemented the First Home Owner Grant Scheme.

Commencement Date	FHOG	FHOG Boost (Established homes)	FHOG Boost (new homes)
Prior to 14 October 2008	$7,000	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
14 October 2008 to 30 September 2009	$7,000	$7,000	$14,000
1 October 2009 to 31 December 2009	$7,000	$3,500	$7,000
1 January 2010	$7,000	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

The First Home Owner Boost has now ended.

State Grants and Bonuses

Some State & Territory Governments may also provide additional grants or bonuses to First Home Owners. For details visit your State or Territory at www.firsthome.gov.au.

In particular, on 1st June 2010, the Queensland Government introduced a 'Regional First Home Owner Grant' of $4,000. This bonus will be available to first home buyers in regional areas in addition to the current $7,000.00 first home owner grant. To be eligible for the extra $4,000 regional bonus, the following must apply:-

applicants must be eligible and comply with the existing term and conditions of the $7,000.00 first home owner grant
applicants must either construct or buy a NEW home - the bonus does not apply to established homes
the home must be located within the approved Queensland regional areas (see below)
the contract date must be between the 1 June 2010 and 30 June 2011 (inclusive) however there is no set time that the building must be completed

If the following council details are shown on the contract or valuation report, the applicant is NOT eligible for this bonus (unless one of the following postcodes applies - 4306; 4352; 4359; 4563; 4574):-

Brisbane City Council
Gold Coast City Council
Ipswich City Council
Lockyer Valley Regional Council
Logan City Council
Moreton Bay Regional Council
Redland City Council
Scenic Rim Regional Council
Somerset Regional Council
Sunshine Coast Regional Council

More information about the bonus can be obtained from the Queensland Government Office of State Revenue or a Wide Bay Australia Loan Consultant.

FHOG eligibility and further information

If you are considering building or purchasing your first home, you may be eligible to receive FHOG.

For eligibility criteria or to obtain more information about the First Home Owner Grant, please select the state or territory in which you intend to purchase or build your home by visiting: www.firsthome.gov.au, or contact a Wide Bay Australia Loan Consultant.

What can you use the grant for?

FHOG can be used to pay any fees and charges or any Mortgage Insurance premium applicable to your new home loan or line of credit. The balance may be contributed towards the purchase.

How to apply?

Wide Bay Australia Loan Consultants can help submit an FHOG Application in conjunction with your home loan. Documentation will be required to support the application.

When will the grant payment be paid?

When the application is lodged through Wide Bay Australia:

For the purchase of an existing home - the grant will be paid on the settlement date.
For construction of a new home - the grant will be paid at first progress draw, i.e. base stage.

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