NSW First Home Owner Grant guide
This guide explains what the FHOG is, who qualifies, the property value caps, how to apply, how to use the grant as part of your deposit strategy, and how to combine it with other first home buyer benefits for savings that can exceed $70,000.
Quick summary: The FHOG provides $10,000 for newly built homes valued up to $600,000, or land and construction combined up to $750,000. You must be at least 18 years old, an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and never have previously owned property in Australia. You must live in the property as your principal place of residence for at least 12 continuous months. The grant can be combined with stamp duty concessions, the Home Guarantee Scheme, and the FHSSS.
What is the First Home Owner Grant?
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a $10,000 grant provided by the NSW government to assist eligible first home buyers in purchasing or building a new home. The grant is a one-off payment that goes directly towards reducing your upfront costs when entering the property market.
The key word is "new." The FHOG is only available for newly built homes, properties purchased off the plan, or substantially renovated properties. It is not available for established (existing) homes. This targeting ensures the grant supports new housing supply while also helping first home buyers.
Property eligibility requirements
To qualify for the FHOG, the property must meet specific criteria. If you are purchasing a newly built house, townhouse, apartment, or unit, the total value must not exceed $600,000. If you are purchasing vacant land and entering a building contract, the combined value of the land and dwelling must not exceed $750,000. The property must be constructed or purchased within a specified timeframe to remain eligible.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for the FHOG in NSW, you must meet all of the following criteria.
Each applicant must be at least 18 years old. At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. You must be buying as an individual (not as a company or trust). Neither you, your spouse, partner, nor co-purchaser should have previously owned residential property in Australia. This includes any interest in residential property, regardless of whether you lived in it.
For contracts signed on or after 1 July 2023, you must occupy the property as your principal place of residence within 12 months of construction or purchase completion and live there for at least 12 continuous months. If your circumstances change after receiving the grant and you can no longer meet the residency requirements, contact Revenue NSW immediately, as failure to comply may result in needing to repay the grant.
How to apply for the FHOG
Applications for the FHOG can be submitted through two channels. The most common approach is through an approved agent such as your bank or financial institution, which often expedites processing. Alternatively, you can apply directly to Revenue NSW. You will need to provide proof of identity and age, evidence of residency status (Australian citizenship or permanent residency), and full property purchase or construction details.
Your conveyancer or solicitor typically assists with the documentation, and your mortgage broker can guide you through the process to ensure everything is submitted correctly. Processing times vary depending on application completeness and current workload at Revenue NSW, so it is important to apply early in your home buying journey. Securing pre-approval while your FHOG application is in progress helps ensure you are ready to move quickly when you find the right property.
Using the FHOG as part of your deposit
The FHOG can be used towards your deposit, but there is an important timing consideration. The grant is typically paid at settlement or after construction completion, which means you may need to demonstrate to your lender that you have sufficient funds to cover the deposit until the grant arrives.
Strategic planning ensures you leverage the FHOG effectively. Arrange temporary bridging finance or use existing savings to cover your deposit until the grant is received at settlement. Inform your lender early that you are receiving the FHOG, as most lenders accommodate this arrangement with proper documentation. Work with your conveyancer and lender to coordinate timing so the FHOG is processed and available when you need it. Our property deposit calculator helps you see how the $10,000 grant fits into your overall deposit picture.
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Combining the FHOG with other first home buyer schemes
The real power of the FHOG comes from combining it with other government programmes. Here is how each scheme works alongside the grant.
NSW stamp duty concessions
The First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme provides full stamp duty exemption for properties valued up to $800,000, and concessional rates for properties between $800,001 and $1,000,000. For vacant land, full exemption applies up to $350,000. When purchasing a new property valued at or under $600,000, you can claim both the FHOG ($10,000) and full stamp duty exemption, creating substantial combined savings.
Home Guarantee Scheme
The Home Guarantee Scheme allows eligible first home buyers to purchase with just a 5% deposit while the government guarantees up to 15% of the property value to your lender. This eliminates the need for Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), saving thousands of dollars. The FHOG can be combined with the Home Guarantee Scheme for eligible new properties. Read about the benefits and risks to understand the full picture, and review the genuine savings requirements to prepare your deposit.
Help to Buy (Shared Equity) Scheme
The Help to Buy Scheme allows eligible buyers to purchase with just a 2% deposit, with the government contributing up to 40% equity on new homes. The FHOG can be used alongside Help to Buy for eligible new properties, further reducing your upfront costs. Understanding your Loan to Value Ratio helps you see how these programmes work together.
First Home Super Saver Scheme
The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS) lets you save up to $50,000 through your superannuation with tax advantages. Combined with the FHOG, this creates a powerful deposit strategy. You can withdraw up to $50,000 from your super through the FHSSS and add the $10,000 FHOG towards your deposit, giving you up to $60,000 before adding any personal savings.
Combined benefits example on a $580,000 new home: FHOG provides $10,000. Full stamp duty exemption saves approximately $19,500. The Home Guarantee Scheme means you need just 5% deposit ($29,000) with no LMI (saving approximately $15,000). Your FHOG effectively covers more than a third of your required deposit, and total savings from combined schemes exceed $44,500.
Choosing the right property for the FHOG
Since the FHOG only applies to new properties, your search is focused on newly built homes, off-the-plan purchases, and land-plus-construction packages. Each option has distinct advantages.
A newly built freestanding house or townhouse offers immediate occupancy with a known build quality. Buying off the plan locks in today's price with a longer settlement timeline, which can give you more time to save. Purchasing vacant land and entering a building contract gives you customisation freedom and a higher combined value cap of $750,000.
Our guide on how to buy the right property helps you compare these options, and our location, condition, and vibes guide helps you evaluate suburbs beyond price. The bank valuation process will confirm the property meets your lender's requirements, and our property purchase and valuation guide explains how the process works from offer to settlement. Whether you buy through private treaty or auction, understanding each method ensures a confident purchase.
Frequently asked questions
Are established homes eligible for the FHOG?
No. The FHOG is only available for newly built homes, properties purchased off the plan, or substantially renovated properties. Established (existing) homes are not eligible. However, if you are buying an established home, you may still benefit from stamp duty concessions and the Home Guarantee Scheme.
What is the maximum property value for the FHOG?
For newly built properties, the maximum value is $600,000. If you are purchasing vacant land and entering a building contract, the combined value of the land and dwelling must not exceed $750,000.
Can I combine the FHOG with the Home Guarantee Scheme?
Yes. The FHOG can be combined with the Home Guarantee Scheme for eligible new properties. This combination allows you to access the $10,000 grant while also purchasing with a 5% deposit and no LMI, significantly reducing your upfront costs and monthly repayments.
Can I use the FHOG with the First Home Super Saver Scheme?
Yes. You can withdraw up to $50,000 from your superannuation under the FHSSS and use the $10,000 FHOG towards your deposit, combining both benefits for maximum support when purchasing your first new property.
Is the FHOG paid before or after settlement?
The FHOG is typically paid at settlement or after construction completion. You may need to arrange interim financing to cover your deposit until the grant is received. Discuss timing with your lender and mortgage broker when planning your purchase.
Do I need to occupy the property immediately after purchase?
For contracts signed on or after 1 July 2023, you must occupy the property as your principal place of residence within 12 months of construction or purchase completion. The minimum occupancy period is 12 continuous months. If you fail to meet this requirement, you may need to repay the grant.
Can I receive the FHOG if I have owned property before?
No. To be eligible, neither you nor your spouse or partner should have previously owned residential property in Australia. This includes any interest in residential property, regardless of whether you lived in it. If you have previously owned property, you may still benefit from other schemes such as the Home Guarantee Scheme (which allows prior owners who have not owned in 10 years).
How long does it take to receive the FHOG after applying?
Processing times vary depending on application completeness and current workload at Revenue NSW. Applying through an approved agent such as your lender may expedite the process. It is advisable to apply early and plan your financing accordingly to account for any processing delays.
What documents do I need to apply?
You will need to provide proof of identity, age verification, residency status documentation (Australian citizenship or permanent residency), and property purchase or construction details. Your conveyancer, solicitor, or lender can provide a complete checklist to ensure your application is submitted correctly to Revenue NSW.
What happens if my FHOG application is rejected?
If your application is rejected, contact Revenue NSW to understand the specific reason. Common reasons include failing to meet eligibility criteria or the property not meeting value limits. Your mortgage broker can help you understand alternative options and potentially reapply if circumstances change.
Take the next step
The FHOG is a valuable $10,000 boost to your first home purchase, and when combined with other schemes, it can be part of a savings package exceeding $70,000. Start by reviewing our pre-approval to home ownership guide, then explore your home loan options with our budgeting guide.
Use our property deposit calculator to see how the FHOG changes your deposit, our home equity calculator to understand your LVR with and without the grant, and our mortgage repayment calculator to plan your ongoing budget.
Learn more about our team, or explore our service areas across 220+ Sydney suburbs.
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Related resources for first home buyers
Continue building your knowledge with our NSW stamp duty concessions guide for savings up to $30,529, our Home Guarantee Scheme guide for 5% deposit purchases with no LMI, our Help to Buy Scheme guide for 2% deposit purchases with government equity, our First Home Super Saver Scheme guide to build your deposit through superannuation, and our deposit options guide for every pathway to your first deposit.
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Taking your first step into homeownership? You could get $10,000 to help you.
The First Home Owner Grant in NSW makes buying your first property easier.
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