What is the First Home Owner Grant (First Home Buyer Grant) in Victoria?
Buying your first home? The Victorian Government offers support to help first-home buyers enter the market sooner—including the $10,000 First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) for eligible new home purchases.
This grant could be the helping hand you need. It’s a one-off payment available to eligible buyers purchasing or building a new home. Your first home can be a house, townhouse, or apartment, as long as it’s valued at $750,000 or less and is less than five years old.
Our expert New Home Consultants, alongside our finance partners at Resolve Finance, are here to guide you through the process and help you find the right finance solution.
Find out if you’re eligible—chat with us today and take advantage of available grants.
Will I be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in Victoria?
To be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant in Victoria (FHOG), you must meet the following criteria:
- At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- All applicants must be over 18 years of age
- You must intend to live in the home as your principal place of residence for at least 12 months, starting within 12 months of settlement or completion
- The property must be valued at $750,000 or less
- The contract must be signed on or after 1 July 2013
- The home must be new and must not have been previously lived in, sold as a residence, or used for short-term accommodation
You may not be eligible if:
- You or your partner have already received the FHOG in Australia
- You or your partner have owned a home in Australia before 1 July 2000
- You have lived in a home owned by either of you for at least six months on or after 1 July 2000
Even if your spouse or partner is not a joint applicant, these conditions may still apply.
Check the full eligibility criteria via SRO Victoria.
First Home Buyer Stamp Duty in Victoria: Exemptions and Concessions
Stamp duty (also known as land transfer duty) is a state government tax applied to certain property purchases in Australia, including homes, land, and investment property. It is separate from the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG), but both can play an important role in supporting first home buyers entering the property market and moving toward home ownership.
Key thresholds for first home buyers
| Property Value | What You May Pay |
|---|---|
| Up to $600,000 | Full exemption (no stamp duty) |
| $600,001 – $750,000 | Stamp duty concessions (reduced duty) |
| These thresholds apply when the property will be your principal place of residence and you meet Victorian first home buyer criteria. | |
Many states also offer stamp duty exemptions or concessions that can be more financially beneficial than the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) itself, depending on your purchase and financial situation.
For established homes:
First home buyers may still be eligible for stamp duty concessions even if they don’t qualify for the First Home Owner Grant, as the grant only applies to a new home that has not been previously sold or used for short term accommodation.
For vacant land to build:
Stamp duty is generally calculated on the land value only, not the total contract price of your building contract or home loan. If a first home buyer purchases vacant land and builds a new home, duty is only applied to the land value, provided the property becomes your principal place of residence within 12 months of settlement. Off the plan concession rules may also apply in some cases, depending on your purchase.
You may be able to access both the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) and stamp duty savings if you meet each program’s separate eligibility requirements. Check current State Revenue Office Victoria guidance or together with our partners at Resolve Finance, take the next step to understand how these may apply to your property purchase.
Combining stamp duty savings with the First Home Owner Grant
Eligible first home buyers may be able to access both stamp duty concessions and the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG), depending on their purchase, eligibility criteria, and financial situation.
Understanding how these schemes work together can make a significant difference to your upfront costs, home loan structure, and overall home buying plan.
We’re here to help
Have any further questions about the First Home Owners Grant or stamp duty concessions in Victoria? Together with our partners at Resolve Finance, we will guide you through the process and assist you with your First Home Owners Grant application.
Other Victorian Grants and Schemes You Could Combine with First Home Owner’s Grant
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is one of several support options available to first home buyers, alongside other home building grants and financial assistance programs. Some schemes may help reduce your deposit or avoid lenders mortgage insurance (LMI), depending on your financial situation.
First Home Guarantee (now part of the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme)
Previously known as the First Home Guarantee, this pathway is generally used by first home buyers purchasing in metropolitan areas. It now forms part of the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, allowing eligible buyers to purchase a residential property with as little as a 5% deposit without paying lenders mortgage insurance.
This option is commonly suited to buyers entering the property market in metro locations, including new homes, townhouses or established homes within applicable price caps.
Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee (now part of the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme)
The Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee was designed to support buyers purchasing in regional areas and has now been incorporated into the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme.
While the structure is now unified, the regional pathway still reflects the needs of buyers outside major metropolitan areas, often with different property price caps and location criteria. This can make it a relevant option for first home buyers considering regional home ownership or building in growing regional communities.
Victorian shared equity initiatives
Victorian shared equity programs are designed to support more Australians into home ownership by reducing upfront costs. These initiatives can assist eligible buyers who may not yet have a full deposit or borrowing capacity.
Each scheme has its own eligibility criteria, price caps, and property requirements. Being eligible for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) does not automatically mean you will qualify for other programs.
Learn more about the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme or explore our grants hub to understand what support may be available for your home purchase.
