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How the WA First Home Owners Grant Works in 2025

Published:

January 16, 2025

Buying your first home in Western Australia just got easier. The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government scheme that helps you take that big step into homeownership. If you’re eligible, you can get a one-off payment of $10,000 towards buying or building your new home.

Even better, eligible first-home buyers who are building with WOW Homes can receive an additional $20,000*, allowing them to Triple the Grant and receive a total of $30,000* towards purchasing their first home!

The grant aims to make housing more affordable for first-time buyers. It’s not just free money though – there are rules about who can get it and how you can use it. You need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and the home must be your main place to live.

This grant could be the boost you need to turn your dream of owning a home into reality. It’s worth looking into if you’re thinking about buying or building your first home in WA. The process is straightforward, and it could save you a lot of money.

Eligibility for the WA First Home Owner Grant

The WA First Home Owner Grant offers financial assistance to eligible first-time homeowners. To qualify, you need to meet specific criteria related to your circumstances and the residential property you’re buying.

Criteria for Applicants

To be eligible for the WA First Home Owner Grant, you must be at least 18 years old. You or your spouse can’t have owned a residential property in Australia before 1 July 2000. You also can’t have lived in a home you owned on or after 1 July 2000 for more than 6 months.

You need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident when you apply. If you’re applying with someone else, at least one of you must meet this requirement.

The first homeowners grant is only available once per person. If you’ve received a First Home Owner Grant in another state or territory, you can’t get it again in WA.

Types of Eligible Properties

The WA First Home Owner Grant applies to new homes only. This includes houses that are newly built, off-the-plan purchases, or homes you build yourself as an owner-builder.

The home must be used as your main place of living. It can’t be an investment property or a holiday home.

There’s a cap on the value of homes eligible for the grant. In the Perth metro area and regional areas, the home’s total value must not exceed $750,000. For homes in the rest of the state, the cap is $1,000,000.

Residency Requirements

After buying or finishing the build of your new home, you must move in within 12 months. You need to live there as your main home for a continuous period of at least 6 months.

This rule applies to all applicants listed on the grant. If you’re applying for only one grant as a couple, both of you need to meet this requirement.

If you can’t move in within 12 months or live there for 6 months straight, you should contact the Office of State Revenue. They might give you more time in some cases.

Ownership Rules

To get the WA First Home Owner Grant, you must become the registered owner of the new residential property. This means your name needs to be on the property’s title.

If you’re buying the home with someone else, all home buyers must be listed on the application. Everyone applying needs to meet the eligibility rules.

You cannot receive the grant if you’re buying the property through a company or trust. The grant is only for individuals buying in their name.

If you’re building a home, you need to own the occupied or vacant land before starting construction. The building contract must be signed by all owners of the land.

First home owners grant document signing

Applying for the WA FHOG

The WA First Home Owner Grant application process involves several steps and specific requirements. You’ll need to gather the necessary documents and work with approved agents or lenders to submit your application.

Application Process and Lodgement

To apply for the WA First Home Owner Grant, lodge your application through an approved agent or directly with the Office of State Revenue. Most people apply through their lender when arranging finance to buy or build their own home. If you’re not borrowing money, you can apply straight to the Office of State Revenue.

The application form is available online from the Department of Finance website. You’ll need to fill it out completely and accurately. Make sure to read the lodgement guide carefully before starting. It explains each section of the form and what information you need to provide.

Once you’ve finished the form, double-check all details before submitting. Incorrect or missing information could delay your application.

Documents Required

You’ll need to provide several documents with your FHOG application. These include:

  • Proof of identity (e.g. driver’s licence, passport)
  • Contract of sale or building contract
  • Title search showing the property details
  • Evidence of Australian citizenship or permanent residency
  • Bank account details for payment of the grant

If you’re building a new home, you might also need to provide:

  • Council approved plans
  • Building permit
  • Builder’s registration number

Keep copies of all documents you submit. The Office of State Revenue might ask for more information to support your application.

Role of Approved Agents and Lenders

Approved agents and lenders play a key part in the FHOG application process. They can:

  • Provide application forms and lodgement guides
  • Help you fill out the application
  • Check your documents
  • Apply on your behalf
  • Answer questions about the grant

Many banks, credit unions, and building societies are approved agents. If you’re getting a home loan, your lender will likely be able to handle your FHOG application too. This would make the process smoother and faster.

If you’re not using a lender, you can still get help from a finance broker or apply directly to the Office of State Revenue. The choice is yours, but using an approved agent can simplify things.

Benefits and Concessions

The First Home Owners Grant offers several financial perks for eligible home buyers in Western Australia. These include cash grants and significant savings on stamp duty.

First Home Owner Rate of Duty

When you buy your first home in WA, you might pay less stamp duty. This reduced rate applies to homes worth up to $530,000.

For houses between $430,000 and $530,000, the discount gets smaller as the price goes up. If your home costs $430,000 or less, you won’t have to pay stamp duty.

The savings are big. For a $500,000 home, you’d pay about $3,800 less in duty compared to other home buyers. This lower rate helps make buying your first home more affordable.

Stamp Duty Exemption and Reductions

Besides the First Home Owner Rate, there are other ways to save on stamp duty. If you’re building a new home, you might not have to pay any duty on the vacant land. This applies if the land costs $300,000 or less.

For an established home, you get a full exemption if the home is worth $430,000 or less. Homes between $430,000 and $530,000 get a partial exemption. The exact amount depends on the home’s value.

These savings add up. On a $400,000 home, you could save over $13,000 in stamp duty. This extra money helps with other costs of buying a home.

be FHOG eligible with WOW Homes!

Frequently Asked Questions

The First Home Owner Grant in Western Australia offers financial support to eligible buyers. It helps make homeownership more accessible for first-time buyers in the state.

What criteria must be met to qualify for the First Home Owner Grant in Western Australia?

To qualify for the grant, you must be at least 18 years old and an Australian citizen or permanent resident. You or your spouse must not have owned a home before in Australia. The home you’re buying or building must be your main place of living for at least 6 months after moving in.

How does one apply for the First Home Owner Grant in WA?

You can apply for the grant through an approved agent, like a bank or building society, when you get your home loan. If you’re not using a loan, apply straight to the Office of State Revenue. You’ll need to fill out a form and give proof of your identity and eligibility.

Have there been any increases to the First Home Owner Grant in WA for the year 2024?

As of October 2024, the grant amount in WA stays at $10,000 for new homes. This amount hasn’t changed since 2017. The state government reviews the grant from time to time, but there haven’t been any recent increases.

Are first-home buyers in WA exempt from paying stamp duty, and under what conditions?

First-home buyers in WA can get a stamp duty discount, but not a full exemption. If your home costs $430,000 or less, you don’t pay any duty. For homes between $430,001 and $530,000, you get a reduced rate. This applies to both new and existing homes.

What are the available grants for first-home buyers in Western Australia?

The main grant for first-home buyers in WA is the $10,000 First Home Owner Grant. This is for new homes only. There’s also the stamp duty discount mentioned earlier. Some eligible first-home buyers also might qualify for the federal government’s First Home Guarantee scheme, which helps with smaller deposits.

Is the First Home Owner Grant in WA applicable to the purchase of existing properties?

No, the First Home Owner Grant in WA is only for new homes. This includes homes you build yourself, buy off-the-plan, or buy as a new property that’s never been lived in. The grant aims to boost new home construction in the state.

Learn More About the First Home Owner Grant at WOW Homes!

Thinking of buying your first home? WOW Homes will make it happen with their amazing Triple the Grant promotion, netting you $30,000* towards your first home build! Discover how this one-off payment brings you closer to your new home, and let our team at WOW Homes guide you through the process.

Click here to contact us today and start your homeownership journey!

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