Differences between first home concessions and first home owner grant

See a comparison of the different requirements for the transfer (stamp) duty concessions for first homes and the first home owner grant.

If you’re a first home owner in Queensland, you may be able to claim one of the first home concessions for transfer (stamp) duty and the first home owner grant.

However, whereas some of the requirements for each benefit are the same, there are differences that you should know about so you can fulfil your obligations and avoid having to pay an amount back, including interest and penalties.

The table below explains the differences between each first home benefit and the requirements that you need to meet.

First home concession	First home vacant land concession	First home owner grant
When you must occupy the property as your principal place of residence
Within 1 year after the transfer date	Within 2 years after the transfer date	Within either: 1 year after the title registration date (purchased homes) 1 year after the final inspection date (for contracts to build or owner-builders)
When you need to apply
You have 5 years to apply for a refund if you haven’t claimed a concession at the time of purchase	You have 5 years to apply for a refund if you haven’t claimed a concession at the time of purchase	You have 1 year from completion of the transaction Completed eligible transaction First home owner grant Buying a new home (including off-the-plan purchases)—when you are entitled to possess the home under the contract and you have registered your ownership on the title of the land on which the home is built Building a new home (including by owner–builders)—when the new home is ready for occupation and any requirements (e.g. final inspection certificate or certificate of occupancy) have been fulfilled When applying for the grant, you need to provide supporting documents, such as the title registration confirmation and final inspection certificate or certificate of occupancy.
Selling the property before moving in
You can’t sell or transfer the property before moving in	You can’t sell or transfer the property before moving in	You can’t sell or transfer the property before moving in
Selling the property after moving in
If you sell or transfer all or part the property within 1 year after you move in, you may lose some of the concession	If you sell or transfer all or part the property within 1 year after you move in, you may lose some of the concession	You can sell or transfer the property after living there continuously for 6 months
Renting the property before moving in
You can’t rent the property out before moving in Exception: The vendor or vendor’s existing tenant may remain in possession for up to 6 months after the transfer date	You can’t rent the property out before moving in	You can rent the property out before moving in
Renting part of the property after moving in
You can lease, rent or otherwise grant exclusive possession Exclusive possession Generally, the right to exclude all others, including the owner, from all or part of a property. Whether exclusive possession has been granted depends on the: terms of the written agreement, where there is one facts and circumstances of the arrangement, where there is no written agreement. Exclusive possession may also be granted by law. For example, the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 applies to certain renting arrangements. You should seek professional advice before arranging to rent out all or any part of your home or granny flat. See the Residential Tenancies Authority for more information on leasing arrangements and obligations. of part of the property if the lease arrangement starts between 10 September 2024 and 30 June 2025 and you continue to live in the property Where the lease arrangement starts outside this period, you may lose the concession	You can lease, rent or otherwise grant exclusive possession of part of the property if the lease arrangement starts between 10 September 2024 and 30 June 2025 and you continue to live in the property Where the lease arrangement starts outside this period, you may lose the concession	You can rent out 1 or more rooms in the house or a granny flat during your 6-month residency period, as long as this arrangement doesn’t affect your use of the home
Renting all of the property after moving in
You can’t lease, rent or otherwise grant exclusive possession of all the property within 1 year after you move into the property	You can’t lease, rent or otherwise grant exclusive possession of all the property within 1 year after you move into the property.	You can rent all of the property after living there continuously for 6 months
Losing the concession or grant
You lose all or part of the concession if you: don’t move into the residence within 1 year of settlement sell or transfer all or part of the property before moving in, or within 1 year of moving in lease or otherwise grant exclusive possession of all the property before moving in, or within 1 year of moving in lease or otherwise grant exclusive possession of part of the property within 1 year of moving in (if the lease arrangement started outside of the period from 10 September 2024 to 30 June 2025) demolish an existing home without first living there	You lose all or part of the concession if you: don’t move into the residence within 1 year of settlement sell or transfer all or part of the property before moving in, or within 1 year of moving in lease or otherwise grant exclusive possession of all the property before moving in, or within 1 year of moving in lease or otherwise grant exclusive possession of part of the property within 1 year of moving in (if the lease arrangement started outside of the period from 10 September 2024 to 30 June 2025)	You may have to repay the grant if you: don’t move into the home within 1 year of buying it don’t live in the home as your principal place of residence for 6 months continuously
Exceptions to these requirements
You might not lose the concession if you can’t occupy the home because of an intervening event Intervening event (home concessions) Any of the following: a natural disaster (including fire or flood) the death or incapacity of a transferee or lessee who was granted the home concession another event prescribed under a regulation. See Schedule 6 of the Duties Act 2001 for a full definition. You must apply in writing to the Commissioner of State Revenue	You might not lose the concession if you can’t occupy the home because of an intervening event You must apply in writing to the Commissioner of State Revenue	We may approve the grant in special circumstances if you: are under 18 years of age move into the home after 1 year live in the home for less than 6 months

Last updated: 13 November 2024