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

If you’re a South Australian buying your first home, there’s some very good news. So long as you buy or build a new home, you could be entitled to a helping hand towards buying your property in the form of the first home owners grant (FHOG). So how does it work and how much are you entitled to receive?

The value of the first home owners grant in South Australia

Since 1 July 2012, the South Australian government has provided a First Home Owner Grant of $15,000, so long as you’re buying or building a new home that is worth less than $575,000. Over this cap, you won’t be entitled to the FHOG at all, regardless of whether you’re a first home buyer or you’re building a new home. If you’re thinking of buying your first home in another state, you can read more about how much the FHOG is around Australia here.

What counts as a new home for the FHOG?

For the purposes of the SA scheme, a new home is one that hasn’t been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence. This includes a “substantially renovated home”, which is defined as a home that is taxed as new residential property for GST purposes and which hasn’t been previously occupied or sold in its current state. You also must occupy the home you’re buying for a continuous period of six months within 12 months of the sale completing or, if you’re building your home, 12 months after it becomes ready for occupation. The Commissioner of RevenueSA has the discretion to waive this requirement in some circumstances.

Who is eligible for the first home owner grant in SA?

The type of property you purchase is just one part of the FHOG equation. The other part comes down to your personal circumstances. Generally, you qualify for the FHOG in South Australia if:

• You’re at least 18 years old
• You’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen permanently residing in Australia with a special category visa
• You or your partner hasn’t held an interest in Australian residential property for more than six months
• You did not own Australian residential property at all before 1 July 2000
• You’re buying as a person and not through a company or trust
• If you’re buying with others, they too meet the eligibility criteria.

You can read more about whether you’re eligible for the FHOG scheme here.

What about if you’re buying vacant land?

Vacant land of itself doesn’t count as residential property for the purposes of the first home owners grant in SA.

What if you’re not a first home owner?

If you’re not a first home owner, it goes without saying that you’re not generally entitled to the FHOG. However, if you’re buying off the plan, you may still be entitled to government support in the form of stamp duty concessions. You can read more about the off the plan concession on the RevenueSA website. Whether you’re buying your first home or not, you can find out exactly how much stamp duty you’re likely to have to pay using our stamp duty calculator.

How do you apply for the first home owner grant in South Australia?

You have two choices when it comes to applying for the FHOG. The first is to complete and lodge an application with an approved agent, such as a lender. The second is to apply through RevenueSA.

When will you receive the first home owners grant?

If you do qualify for the FHOG, when you’ll receive your payment depends on both how you apply and what you’re purchasing.

• If you’re buying a new or off the plan home, you’ll be paid on the settlement date if you apply through an approved agent. Alternatively, if you apply through RevenueSA, you’ll receive the FHOG within five days of lodging title with the Lands Title Office.
• If you have a contract to build and you apply through an approved agent, you’ll be paid on the date of the first progress payment. If you apply through RevenueSA, you’ll be paid within five days of proof of the foundation being laid.
• If you’re building your own home, you’ll be paid when you provide your application with supporting evidence to an approved agent or within five days of RevenueSA approving your application.