While the First Home Owner Grant is a national initiative, the details can vary depending on where you’re buying. Grant amounts, property price caps and eligibility criteria are set by each state and territory, so it’s important to understand what applies in Victoria and how it fits your personal situation.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the First Home Owner Grant, stamp duty concessions and the 5% deposit scheme, so you can get a clear picture of what support may be available when you’re ready to buy or build your first home.
Am I eligible for the first home grant in Victoria?
You may be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant in Victoria if you’re purchasing or building a new home that has never been lived in and is valued at $750,000 or less (including land). The First Home Owner’s Grant is a one off payment of $10,000 administered by the State Revenue Office Victoria, and the rules can change, so always check the latest SRO guidance.
Here’s a quick checklist to help you see if you could be eligible:
- you’re building your new home, or buying a new home that has not been lived in;
- the total house & land value is $750,000 or less;
- you and your spouse or partner have not previously owned and lived in a residential property in Australia. You may still be eligible if you owned property on or after 1 July 2000 but did not live in it as your home;
- at least one applicant is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen;
- you intend to live in the property as your principal place of residence for at least 12 months.
There is no income test for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in Victoria, making it more accessible than some other schemes. While programs like the First Home Guarantee previously included income caps before October 2025, these limits have since been removed under the updated Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, which now allows eligible buyers to enter the market sooner without Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, speak to a New Homes Consultant and get support from Resolve Finance. You can also explore Homebuyers Centre’s range of home building grants and assistance options in Victoria to better understand what may be available to you. We’ll help you check your situation against the current State Revenue Office Victoria rules and guide you through the process.
First Home Owners Grant Eligibility Criteria (VIC)
This section summarises the key Victorian eligibility requirements. For more detailed information, visit our main First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) Victoria guide.
These are State Revenue Office criteria, and meeting them means you may be eligible — approval is never guaranteed until the SRO assesses your application. The same rules apply whether you’re buying off-the-plan, choosing a house and land package, or building your new home with a comprehensive home building contract through Homebuyers Centre.
People criteria
First Home Owners Grant eligibility in Victoria considers both you (and any spouse or partner) and the property itself.
Key people requirements include: all applicants must be at least 18 years old; at least one applicant must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen holding a Special Category Visa; you and your spouse or partner must never have owned residential property in Australia that you lived in for six continuous months or more on or after 1 July 2000; and you must not have previously received the grant anywhere in Australia (unless fully repaid with penalties and the SRO allows a new application).
Income or savings levels do not affect First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) eligibility in Victoria. The SRO may exercise limited discretion in very specific circumstances, but most applicants should assume they must meet the rules as written. You’ll need identification and evidence of citizenship or visa status when applying.
Property criteria
The First Home Owners Grant in Victoria is only available for new homes up to a maximum value.
The contract price or total value of the new home (including land, site works, and variations) must be $750,000 or less. Property types that qualify include: brand new house, townhouse, or apartment; off the plan property; a new dwelling built under a house-and-land or building contract; a replacement home built after demolition; and certain substantially renovated homes meeting SRO requirements.
Established homes that have been previously occupied, or properties used for short term accommodation, are not eligible for the First Home Owners Grant as new homes. Always confirm with your builder or developer in writing that the property qualifies as a new home for First Home Owners Grant purposes.
Occupancy criteria
The First Home Owners Grant is designed for home buyers who will live in their property and not for investment purposes or holiday homes.
At least one applicant must move into the home as their principal place of residence within 12 months of the settlement date (for purchases) or completion date (for builds), and live there continuously for at least six months — in fact, the Victorian requirement is a full 12 months. This is commonly called the “12 months within 12 months” residency requirement.
The State Revenues Office (SRO) can request evidence such as council rates, utility bills, driver licence address, or electoral enrolment. Failing to meet the residence requirements can result in repaying the grant with interest and penalties. Australian Defence Force members may receive special consideration where service postings make compliance difficult, assessed case-by-case by the SRO.
Application timing & process
Most first home buyers apply for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) through their bank or lender (as an approved SRO agent) when arranging their home loan for settlement or the first progress payment on construction.
At Homebuyers Centre, we work alongside Resolve Finance to support our customers through the finance and FHOG application process, helping align your home loan, lender requirements and construction progress payments from the outset.
| How we support you | What this means for you |
|---|---|
| Work with your New Homes Consultant and finance partner | With guidance from your New Homes Consultant, supported by Resolve Finance, you’ll have expert advice across both your home and finance journey. |
| Understand construction loans and progress payments | Get a clear breakdown of how your loan works, including when payments are made throughout the build, so there are no surprises along the way. |
| Navigate government grants and incentives | Learn what support you may be eligible for, including the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) and other initiatives, with guidance tailored to your situation. |
| Prepare your application with confidence | Have everything in place from the start, with support to organise your documents and understand what lenders are looking for. |
| Align your finance with your home and land choice | Ensure your budget, borrowing capacity and chosen home solution all work together, helping you move forward with clarity. |
| Guide you through each step of the process | From early enquiries through to approvals, you’ll have a clear path forward and someone to help you make informed decisions at every stage. |
| With the right guidance from your New Homes Consultant, backed by Resolve Finance, you can move forward knowing where you stand and what support may be available to you. | |
What counts as a “new home” in Victoria
Eligibility for the First Home Owner Grant often comes down to whether your property qualifies as a new home under Victorian Government guidelines.
A new home in Victoria is a property that has never been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence. It must also not have been used for short-term accommodation at any time. This definition applies across common purchase types, including house-and-land packages, off-the-plan properties and newly constructed homes.
Final eligibility for the First Home Owner Grant is determined by the State Revenue Office Victoria. While Resolve Finance and your Homebuyers Centre New Homes Consultant can help you understand whether your build or purchase is likely to meet the criteria, they do not approve or administer the grant. Explore more below.
New townhouses
Many first home buyers in Victoria choose to purchase a new townhouse and want to know if they may be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant.
Townhouses are often part of a subdivided development, where each home sits on its own title and is sold as a separate residential property. Depending on the project, you may purchase a completed turnkey home or enter into a comprehensive home building contract, with settlement taking place once the home is finished and ready to occupy as your principal place of residence.
For First Home Owner Grant purposes, the key consideration is that the townhouse is a new home at settlement and has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence. It’s important to confirm your contract reflects this, particularly in multi-dwelling developments, so your purchase aligns with eligibility requirements.
House and land packages and building contracts
Many first home buyers choose a house and land package or build on vacant land they already own, which involves entering into a comprehensive home building contract alongside the land purchase. You can also explore new house and land packages across Melbourne, Geelong and Victoria to understand how different locations and home designs impact overall pricing.
Unlike buying an established home, the total value for the First Home Owner Grant includes both the land value and construction cost, along with site works and selected upgrades. This means your overall purchase price may differ from the initial advertised home price, particularly once construction costs are finalised.
Understanding how these costs come together is important when planning your budget and assessing whether your purchase aligns with First Home Owner Grant requirements.
Substantially renovated homes
Substantially renovated homes can qualify for the First Home Owner Grant in Victoria, but the eligibility criteria are strict.
A substantial renovation goes beyond cosmetic updates and must involve replacing or removing most of the home’s structural or non-structural components, affecting the building as a whole. In many cases, the sale must also meet GST requirements and be treated as a taxable supply of new residential property.
If you’re considering a renovated home, it’s important to confirm it meets the State Revenue Office Victoria definition. For many first home buyers, choosing a clearly defined new home — such as a townhouse or house and land package — is often a more straightforward pathway to eligibility.
When is the grant paid & how do I apply?
Timing of the First Home Owner Grant in Victoria depends on your purchase and the type of residential property you’re buying. For completed new homes, the grant is typically applied at settlement. For first home buyers entering into a comprehensive home building contract, funds are usually released at the first progress payment during construction.
These timings can impact your financial situation, upfront costs and home loan structure, so it’s important to plan early and understand how the grant fits into your overall purchase and eligibility criteria.
Applying with Resolve Finance
As construction loan specialists, Resolve Finance are experienced in supporting first home buyers through the building process. They can coordinate your finance with your financial institution, structure your home loan around progress payments, and ensure your application aligns with your comprehensive home building contract, settlement date and eligibility criteria.
When structured this way, the grant is typically applied directly toward your property purchase or construction cost, rather than being paid into your personal account.
Can I buy with a 5% deposit?
The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (formerly First Home Guarantee, part of a national scheme funded by the Australian Government through Housing Australia, is separate from the First Home Owner Grant but can work alongside it for eligible first home buyers.
The scheme helps eligible buyers purchase with as little as a 5% deposit without paying lenders mortgage insurance, as Housing Australia guarantees part of the loan to your financial institution. This buyer scheme is accessed through participating lenders and brokers, not through the State Revenue Office.
From 1 October 2025, the First Home Guarantee has no income caps and unlimited places nationally. Victorian price caps are currently $950,000 for Melbourne and Geelong, and $650,000 for other regional areas — though you should always check official program pages for updates.
Working with Resolve Finance can help assess whether you may qualify for a 5% deposit pathway and structure your home loan within the relevant purchase price cap, aligned to your financial situation and build plans. See our First Home Guarantee scheme eligibility guide or Home Guarantee Scheme page for more details.
Residency Rule & ADF Considerations
To receive the First Home Owner Grant in Victoria, at least one applicant must live in the home as their principal place of residence for a continuous 12-month period, starting within 12 months of settlement or completion.
If your circumstances change and you’re unable to meet this requirement, you must notify the State Revenue Office Victoria. In some cases, this may result in repaying the grant amount with interest and penalties.
ADF and special circumstances
Active Australian Defence Force members may receive consideration where service postings affect their ability to meet residency requirements, with each case assessed individually.
Evidence you may need
You may be asked to provide evidence that the property was genuinely your principal place of residence. This can include council rates notices, utility bills, or updates to your driver licence and electoral enrolment.
$5K* deposit pathway for first home buyers
For many first home buyers, saving a full deposit can delay home ownership. Homebuyers Centre’s $5K* deposit pathway is designed to help eligible buyers get started sooner, with a low upfront cost on a new house and land package.
Available in partnership with Resolve Finance and participating land estates, this pathway allows you to secure a residential property with as little as $5,000* upfront, instead of a traditional 20% deposit. It brings your land, build and home loan together in a more streamlined approach, helping simplify the purchase process.
For eligible first home buyers, this pathway may also reduce upfront costs by avoiding lenders mortgage insurance, depending on your financial situation and eligibility criteria. With support from Resolve Finance, your home loan can be structured around your building contract, progress payments and overall purchase price, helping you move toward home ownership sooner.
Stamp Duty Savings for First Home Buyers
Stamp duty concessions for first home buyers in Victoria are separate from the First Home Owner’s Grant and can apply even if you don’t qualify for the grant, including for established homes.
The two main bands are: full exemption from land transfer (stamp) duty for homes valued at $600,000 or less, and a sliding concession for homes between $600,001 and $750,000. These can apply to both new and established homes, provided it will be your principal place of residence and you meet first home buyer rules.
Above $750,000, first home buyer stamp duty exemption or concession is not available. Use the official Victorian Land Transfer (Stamp) Duty Calculator to estimate duty based on your circumstances.
Combining the First Home Owner Grant with first home buyer stamp duty concessions can significantly reduce upfront costs when building with Homebuyers Centre.
Tax Considerations for First Home Buyers
When you buy your first home, it’s important to understand the tax implications and benefits that may apply. The main tax you’ll encounter is stamp duty, a state government charge on property purchases.
Fortunately, first home buyers in Victoria may be eligible for full or partial stamp duty concessions, depending on the value of the property and whether it will be your principal place of residence. While the First Home Owner Grant itself is not taxable, you should be aware that most costs associated with buying your first home, such as legal fees and lenders mortgage insurance are not tax deductible for owner-occupiers.
If your circumstances change and you later use the property for investment purposes, different tax rules may apply. However, if your home remains your principal place of residence, you generally won’t pay capital gains tax when you sell.
If you’re planning your first home purchase, speak to a New Homes Consultant to get started, with support from Resolve Finance to help guide your home loan and finance options.
Avoid Losing First Home Buyer Grant Eligibility
Many First Home Owner Grant issues come from simple misunderstandings. Here are common things first home buyers should be aware of:
- Eligibility is assessed across all applicants. If you or your partner have previously owned residential property or received the First Home Owner Grant in Australia, this may affect your eligibility.
- Don’t assume an “almost new” property is eligible if it has ever been previously occupied or used for short-term accommodation.
- Keep track of your total value — land plus build — as upgrades and site costs can push your purchase price over the $750,000 threshold.
- Make sure you meet the 12-month residency requirement and notify the State Revenue Office Victoria if your circumstances change.
- Ensure all documents (ID, contracts, settlement statements) are complete and consistent, as errors can delay your application.
- Plan early so your finance, application and settlement timeline are aligned.
With support from Resolve Finance and your New Homes Consultant, you can identify potential issues early and move forward with confidence. Many clients also consider affordable townhouse developments in Melbourne and Geelong as an eligible new-home pathway.
Scenarios of FHOG eligibility – What applies to me?
These real-world scenarios are designed to help Victorian first home buyers understand how the First Home Owner’s Grant, stamp duty concessions, and low-deposit schemes may apply to their situation.
Note: Indicative only. Eligibility criteria apply and are subject to government approval (sro.vic.gov.au). Finance by Resolve Financial Solutions Pty Ltd (ACL 385487). Click for full details.
| Scenario | Property & price | What likely applies |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Melbourne townhouse (new) | $720,000 newly built townhouse | ∙ FHOG likely available (new ≤ $750k) ∙ Stamp duty concession may apply ($600k–$750k) ∙ First Home Guarantee available (≤ $950k cap) ∙ Paid at settlement via lender ∙ Move in within 12 months and live for 12 months |
| 2. Outer Melbourne house & land | $710,000 new build | ∙ FHOG likely available (≤ $750k) ∙ Stamp duty concession likely ($600k–$750k) ∙ 5% deposit possible via First Home Guarantee (≤ $950k cap) ∙ Paid at construction drawdown ∙ Residency after completion |
| 3. Regional established home | $585,000 established | ∙ FHOG not available ∙ Full stamp duty exemption likely (≤ $600k) ∙ 5% deposit scheme may apply (≤ $650k cap) ∙ Must live in property |
| 4. Renovation project (Melbourne) | $650,000 established home + renovation | ∙ FHOG not available (not a new home) ∙ Stamp duty concession may apply based on purchase price ∙ First Home Guarantee may apply (within $950k cap) ∙ Renovation costs do not qualify for FHOG eligibility ∙ Must live in property as principal place of residence |
| All scenarios are indicative only and subject to State Revenue Office (SRO) approval and current eligibility criteria. | ||
Understand what you may be eligible for
Speak to a New Homes Consultant to access several of our trusted business partners including Resolve Finance and an independent conveyancing firm who will be able to confirm you individual State Revenue Office Victoria obligations and Housing Australia program requirements.
Regions and Suburbs we service in Victoria
Homebuyers Centre, with support from Resolve Finance, helps first home buyers across key Victorian regions find the right location, home design and finance pathway to suit their goals.
Melbourne & Surrounds
From the north and west to the south-east growth corridors, Melbourne offers a wide range of new home and townhouse opportunities. Whether you’re exploring house and land packages in Melbourne’s north, considering options across Melbourne’s western growth corridors, or looking into house and land packages in Melbourne’s south-east suburbs, there are a variety of locations to suit different lifestyles and budgets.
Geelong & Surf Coast
A fast-growing region combining coastal lifestyle with strong value, Geelong and the Surf Coast continue to attract first home buyers looking for more space and flexibility. Discover new home opportunities and house and land packages in Geelong and nearby estates.
Ballarat
Ballarat offers an appealing mix of affordability, established infrastructure and growing communities, making it a strong choice for first home buyers. Explore house and land packages in Ballarat to see what’s available and how far your budget can go.
Bendigo
With a vibrant regional centre and a range of new estates, Bendigo provides flexible options for buyers looking to enter the market sooner. View house and land packages in Bendigo and discover opportunities to build your first home in a well-connected regional location.
Gippsland & North-East Victoria
Offering a relaxed regional lifestyle with access to open space, coastlines and established communities, Gippsland and North-East Victoria continue to attract first home buyers looking for flexibility and lifestyle balance. Explore new home opportunities and land estates across these regions to find a location that suits your goals.
