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Last Updated: 29th August, 2023

What is the First Home Owners Grant SA?

The first home owners grant is a one-off lump payment given to first home buyers in South Australia. It was introduced in July 2000 to reduce the financial strain for Australians buying their first home.

How much is the first home owners grant in South Australia?

The first home owners grant (FHOG) in South Australia is $15,000 if you are buying or building a new home valued at or below $575,000.

Am I eligible for the grant? 

If you’ve answered YES to all the questions below, then you could be eligible for the first home owners grant in South Australia.
  • Are you buying a new home OR building a new home where the contract was signed on or after 17 September 2010? 
  • Is the value of the property less than $575,000?
  • Is at least one applicant an Australian or permanent resident? (New Zealanders with special category visas are eligible) 
  • Is each person a natural person over 18 years old? 
  • Is this the first time each applicant will receive the grant anywhere in Australia?
  • Are you sure each applicant has not owned or held a relevant interest in a residential property anywhere in Australia before 1 July 2000? (Even if they had acquired relevant interest, the residential property was not occupied for a continuous period of six months on or after 1 July 2000) 
  • Will each applicant live in the property as the primary place of residence for a continuous period of six months within 12 months of completion of an eligible transaction?

How to apply for the first home owners grant in SA?

You can visit RevenueSA’s website to apply for the grant in South Australia directly. You can take the help of a bank or lender, your mortgage broker or a solicitor.

When will the grant be paid?

It depends on whether you’re buying a new home, building a home or an owner-builder.
Type of transaction  When will FHOG be paid in SA? 
Buying a new home  At the date of settlement (if through an approved agent)  Within five days after approval of the application and when proof of lodgement for registration with the Land Titles Office is provided (if through State Revenue Office) 
Contract to build  On the date of the first progress payment by an approved agent.  Within five days of application approval and after lodging the first progress payment invoice with RevenueSA. 
Owner builder  When an application with appropriate supporting evidence is provided to the approved agent with a Statutory Declaration stating the home is complete and ready to live in as a place of residence.  Within 5 days of RevenueSA approving the application lodged with supporting evidence and receipt of Statutory Declaration stating the home is complete to be lived in. 

FAQs

Can I get the FHOG for established homes? 

Unfortunately, no. The grant has not been available for established homes since 30 June 2014. The grant is only available if you want to purchase a new home.

Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in SA? 

Yes, first home buyers in South Australia will need to pay stamp duty. South Australia does not offer stamp duty concessions or exemptions for first home buyers. 

What type of property can I buy to be eligible for the grant? 

You can buy any new residential dwelling, including: 
  • House 
  • Apartment 
  • Unit 
  • Townhouse 
  • Vacant land if you intend to build 

My partner previously owned a home. Are we eligible? 

No, if your partner held a relevant interest in a home prior to 1 July 2000, you are not eligible.  However, if your partner held a relevant interest in a home on or after 1 July 2000 and did not occupy the home for a continuous period of six months or longer, you might still be eligible.

What if I buy in my name only? Should my partner’s name be included? 

Yes, the eligibility criteria apply to both you and your partner so his/her name must be included in the application form.

I already own vacant land. Can I apply for FHOG? 

Yes, you can apply for the grant provided your application is not the result of entering into a building contract or commencing construction as an owner-builder before 1 July 2020. 

Do I have to refund the grant if I sell my home? 

No, you do not have to refund the grant if you sell your home, provided you have occupied the property as your principal place of residence for a continuous period of six months within 12 months from the date of settlement or when construction is complete. 

Is the First Home Bonus Grant still available in SA? 

Unfortunately, no.  Along with the First Home Bonus Grant, the following schemes are no longer available in South Australia.
Scheme  What is it? When did it end? 
First Home Bonus Grant  $8000 grant is available for first home buyers who were building or buying a newly constructed home.  $4000 grant is available to first home buyers who are buying an established home, building a home or purchasing a newly constructed home.  Between 5 June 2008 and 14 October 2012 
Housing Construction Grant  $8500 grant for home owners who built or purchased a new home with a property value of $450,000.  Between 15 October 2012 and 31 December 2013 
Seniors Housing Grant  $8500 grant is available to applicants aged 60 years or above who built or purchased a new home valued at up to $400,000.  Between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2016 
Pre-construction Grant For Off-the-plan Apartment Purchasers  $10,000 grant for people who entered a contract before construction of an apartment complex. Grant was paid upon application.  22 June 2017 to 30 September 2017  Between 22 June 2017 and 30 September 2017 

What other benefits are available for first home buyers in SA? 

Besides the first home owners grant, you might also be eligible for the following grants and schemes in South Australia: 

First Home Loan Deposit Scheme: New Home Guarantee 

During the recent 2020 budget announcement, the government announced an additional 10,000 scheme places for the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme.  Under the New Home Guarantee, first home buyers with a deposit of between 5% and 20% of the property value can buy a home without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance.  Property price thresholds have increased under the new guarantee, which is now limited to the purchase of new homes only.

$25,000 HomeBuilder Grant 

The HomeBuilder Grant is available for eligible owner-occupiers who want to build a new home or renovate an existing home.  The building contract should be signed between 4 June 2020 and 31 December 2020.  There are price caps and income caps to be eligible for the HomeBuilder grant. 

Are you a first home buyer in SA? 

Our mortgage brokers are here to help you through your journey of buying your first home.  Whether you need help applying for the first home owners grant or going through the home loan process – we’re here to help. Call us on 1300 889 743 or fill in our free assessment form.