First Home Owners Grant VIC
What is the First Home Owners Grant (FHOG)?
Dreaming of owning your first home?
If you’re an aspiring homeowner in Victoria, the Victorian Government offers a $10,000 First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) to help eligible home buyers purchase or build their first new home. The grant is designed to make buying a home a little easier, whether you’re moving into a new house, townhouse, apartment or unit.
To be eligible, your home must be a new residential property that hasn’t been previously sold, occupied, leased out, or used for short-term accommodation.
How much is the First Home Owners Grant in Victoria?
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you could receive $10,000 if you’re buying or building a new home with a purchase price of $750,000 or less.
This extra boost could help with your deposit, settlement costs or just give you a little breathing room as you move into your first place.
How does the First Home Owners Grant work?
The FHOG is a one-time payment made after your eligible transaction is completed.
If you’re financing your purchase through a lender, your bank or credit union will usually apply for the grant on your behalf. If not, you can apply directly through the State Revenue Office Victoria. Once approved, the grant is paid either at settlement or when your builder asks for the first construction payment, depending on whether you’re buying or building.
Keep in mind you may also have to pay stamp duty, depending on your circumstances — but there are separate exemptions and concessions available too.
How do I apply for the First Home Owners Grant?
In most cases, your bank or lender (if they’re an approved agent) will lodge the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) application for you.
However, if you are applying directly online with the State Revenue Office Victoria, you’ll need to:
- Apply within 12 months of completing your purchase or build
- Meet eligibility requirements (age, citizenship, first home status, residency)
- Supply supporting documents, including:
- Proof of identity
- Evidence of your property transaction, such as:
- Contract of sale for a new or off-the-plan home
- Building contract for a new home
- If you are an owner-builder: receipts, inspection notices, occupancy certificates, title search, and evidence of building costs
Am I eligible for the First Home Owners Grant?
You may be eligible if you:
- Are buying or building a brand-new home valued at $750,000 or less
- Have not previously received the FHOG in any Australian state or territory (unless it was repaid with any penalties)
- You (and your partner, if you have one) have never owned a home before or haven’t lived in a property you owned since 1 July 2000
- Are at least 18 years old
- Are an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or at least one applicant is)
- Plan to live in the home as your principal place of residence for at least 12 continuous months, starting within 12 months of settlement or completion
Some special cases apply. For example, members of the Australian Army, Air Force, and Australian Public Service staff posted away from home may qualify for an exemption from the residency requirement. Eligible single parents and buyers using the Victorian Homebuyer Fund might also be able to access other support alongside the FHOG.
Regional Victoria buyers can also benefit from other incentives depending on where they buy.
Just a heads-up: if you’re buying an established (older) home, you won’t qualify for the grant — but you might still be able to get a stamp duty exemption or discount.
Ready to get started?
Geelong Homes is here to help you understand your options, guide you through the grant process, and help you move into your dream home sooner.
Talk to our team today — and let’s get you home.
Frequently Asked Questions – First Home Owner Grant
In addition to the $10,000 First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) for eligible buyers building or purchasing a brand-new home in Victoria (valued up to $750,000), there are several other schemes and concessions that can help you get into your first home sooner:
- First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Concessions:
If you’re buying your first home (established or new) or a block of land to build on, and it’s valued up to $600,000, you may be eligible for a full stamp duty exemption. Concessions also apply for properties valued between $600,001 and $750,000. - First Home Guarantee (Federal):
This government-backed scheme allows eligible buyers to purchase or build a home with as little as a five per cent deposit, without needing to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance. The government guarantees part of your loan — they don’t co-own the property. Not all lenders participate, so it’s best to check with your broker. - First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS):
Designed for those planning ahead, this scheme lets you make voluntary contributions into your super fund (up to certain annual caps), which can later be withdrawn to put toward your home deposit. - Victorian Homebuyer Fund:
A shared equity scheme where the Victorian Government contributes up to 25 per cent of the purchase price in exchange for an equivalent share in the property. This can reduce your mortgage and help avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance if you only have a five per cent deposit. - Buy Assist Shared Equity Scheme:
A community-focused private sector program that helps eligible low to medium-income earners purchase a home in partnership with developers. Similar in concept to the HomesVic initiative. - Residency Exemption for Defence Force Members:
Members of the Australian Army, Navy, or Air Force who are on duty or leave and enrolled to vote in Victoria may be exempt from the FHOG’s standard residency requirement. - Off-the-Plan Stamp Duty Concession (PPR OTP):
When buying a new property off the plan as your principal place of residence, you’ll only pay stamp duty on the land value at the time of contract — not the full value of the completed home. - Bank of Mum and Dad:
Some first home buyers receive financial help from parents through gifting or family guarantees. These options can make a big difference, but it’s important to seek advice from a banker or broker to understand the risks and requirements. - Vacant Residential Land Tax:
A land tax on vacant properties is designed to increase housing supply, creating more opportunities for first-time buyers in competitive markets.
There are also stricter rules around property underquoting to make sure advertised prices are fair and transparent when you’re house hunting.
Read more: Your Guide to Financing Your First Home in Geelong
To meet the residency requirements for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in Victoria, at least one applicant must live in the home as their principal place of residence (PPR) for a continuous period of at least 12 months, starting within 12 months of settlement or completion of construction.
When applying, you must also provide proof that you live in Australia. Depending on how you lodge your application:
- If applying through an approved agent (like your lender):
You and your spouse/partner must provide a copy of a primary identity document showing Australian citizenship or permanent residency (Category 1 document). - If applying directly to the State Revenue Office:
You and your spouse/partner must provide three forms of ID:- Category 1: Proof of citizenship or permanent residency (e.g. Australian birth certificate, passport, or citizenship certificate).
- Category 2: Photo ID (e.g. driver’s licence, passport, Proof of Age card).
- Category 3: Proof of living in Australia (e.g. Medicare card, motor vehicle registration notice, Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs card).
Additional documents may be needed if you are married, divorced, separated, widowed, or if you have changed your name.
Australian Defence Force members can be exempt from living in the property if they are on duty or leave and enrolled to vote in Victoria.
Most grants are paid within a few weeks after settlement or construction, depending on your lender and paperwork.
No, there’s no income limit for the grant, but other schemes may have income caps.
^ While we’ve tried to be as helpful as possible, this blog should not be taken as professional financial advice. It contains general information only, and you should seek out independent, professional advice before making any financial decisions.
