Applying for the first home owner grant

The first home owner grant is a state government initiative to help you get your first home.

If you’re eligible for the grant, you can get $15,000 or $30,000 towards buying or building a new house, unit or townhouse (valued at less than $750,000, including contract variations) that you will live in.

For buying or building a new home, the grant amount is:

• $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025
• $15,000 for contracts signed before 20 November 2023.

For owner-builders, the grant amount is:

• $30,000 where foundations are laid between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025
• $15,000 where foundations were laid before 20 November 2023.

You will not receive the $30,000 grant if you have entered into an eligible transaction (e.g. signed a contract) before 20 November 2023. However, you may still be eligible for the $15,000 grant.

• Anyone who is or will be an owner of the new home must be included on the application as an applicant.
• If you have a spouse, they must be included on the application—either as an applicant (co-owner) spouse or non-applicant spouse.
• You only need 1 application for your new home, regardless of the number of applicants.
• The grant is paid per new home, not to each applicant.
• When determining eligibility, each applicant and their spouse must be considered.

When to apply

You must apply and provide supporting documents for the grant within the following timeframes:

• Buying your home—you must apply within 1 year of taking possession of the new home and your title being registered.
• Contract to build—you must apply within 1 year of the new home being completed; for instance, the final inspection certificate being issued.
• Owner–builder—you must apply within 1 year of the new home being completed; for instance, the final inspection certificate being issued.

In special cases, these periods may be extended. If you’re applying outside the application period, you must include a written statement explaining your circumstances.

Using the grant as a deposit

The grant is paid at different times depending on how and when you apply, and whether you are building or buying. For this reason, it’s best not to count on using the grant as a deposit.

You do not need a deposit to apply for the grant itself.

How to apply

There are 2 ways to submit an application:

• through an approved agent (i.e. bank or lending institution)
• to Queensland Revenue Office.

Applying through approved agents

The fastest way to receive the grant is to apply through an approved agent (e.g. bank or lending institution), who will confirm your eligibility and manage your application.

Take your completed application form and supporting documents to your agent to process the grant. Your agent can also accept scanned applications, as long as they are:

• complete
• signed
• clearly legible.

There are penalties for giving false or misleading information.

Applying to Queensland Revenue Office

If you’re building or buying your new home (either under a contract or as an owner–builder) and applying for the grant directly with us, the grant isn’t paid until the home is complete and you have supplied us with all supporting documents.

To apply for the grant online, log in, complete the application and upload your supporting documents. You can’t apply until your transaction has been completed and you have all documents ready to upload. If you lodge online, you’ll be able to track the status of your application.

Log in to the first home owner grant

Understanding the status of your application

Incomplete—you have started your application but information is missing. You need to complete the required fields and submit your application.

Documents required—you’ve submitted your application but we still require supporting documents. You can log in and see what documents you have provided and what is still required. You can upload additional documents under Other.

Submitted for processing—we have all your documents and no further action is required from you at this stage. We will contact you if we need more information.

Lodged—your application is in the queue to be processed.

We aim to process applications that are at ‘lodged’ status within 10 working days. This may take longer if we have a large number of applications or if applications are incomplete. If your application involves related parties or potential disqualifying arrangements, it will take longer.

We may contact you for more information to confirm your eligibility for the grant—there are penalties for giving false or misleading information.

Approved agents

You can apply for the grant through the following banks and lending institutions.

Also consider…

• See the public ruling on the increase to the first home owner grant amount (FHOGA000.2).
• Register for a free webinar on building your first home, run by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC).