How and when to apply for the regional home building boost grant
Understand the 2 steps for applying and claiming the grant. Make sure that you first meet the eligibility criteria.
This grant is not available if your contract to buy or build is dated after 31 March 2021; or if you are an owner-builder and your build started after that date.
There are 2 steps to follow when applying for the regional home building boost grant: first you apply for the grant, and then you claim it.
You must apply (step 1) for the grant within the application timeframe. Then, once your transaction is complete and you have all your supporting documents, you can claim the grant (step 2).
The grant is paid per new home—not to each applicant for the same home. It is paid after the transaction has been completed and you have claimed the grant (step 2), so you can’t use the grant as part of a deposit.
Before you start, check that:
- your contract is dated between 4 June 2020 and 31 March 2021—if you have a contract to buy or build
- your build commenced between 4 June 2020 and 31 March 2021—if you are an owner-builder who is building a new home
- you meet all the eligibility criteria.
When to apply
You must submit your application (step 1) within the following timeframes for these eligible transactions.
Contract to buy
- You can submit your application once your contract is signed.
- You have until 6 months after taking possession of the new home and your title being registered to submit your application.
Contract to build
- You can submit your application once your contract is signed.
- You have until 6 months after the new home is completed (i.e. the final inspection certificate being issued) to submit your application.
Building by owner-builder
- You can submit your application once your foundations have been laid.
- You have until 6 months after the new home is completed (i.e. the final inspection certificate being issued) to submit your application.
Examples
In these examples, the individuals have also met the other eligibility criteria.
Cassie signed a contract to buy a brand new home on 3 March 2021. The next day, Cassie applied for the grant (step 1).
The contract settled on 2 June 2021 and Cassie moved in. Once she had the title registration document, she claimed the grant (step 2).
Cassie will get the grant because she completed step 1 within the application timeframe (i.e. between the date she signed her contract and within 6 months of her title being registered).
Liam signed a contract to build a new home on 20 December 2020.
On 14 July 2021 Liam received the final inspection certificate for his new home. On 11 November 2021, Liam applied for the grant (step 1). Because of various factors, Liam didn’t claim the grant (step 2) until 25 March 2022.
Liam will get the grant because he completed step 1 within the application timeframe (i.e. between the date he signed his contract and within 6 months of the final inspection certificate being issued).
Sazz laid the foundations for his own home on 18 October 2020. He applied for the grant (step 1) on 16 December 2020.
The build finished on 17 April 2021 and Sazz got his final inspection certificate. He claimed the grant (step 2) on 20 April 2021.
Sazz will get the grant because he completed step 1 within the application timeframe (i.e. between the date the foundations were laid and within 6 months of the final inspection certificate being issued).
On 15 June 2020, Beth and Mark signed a contract to build a new home. Their final inspection certificate was issued on 18 December 2020 and they moved in soon after.
In July 2021, Beth and Mark remembered that they hadn’t yet applied for the grant. Because they did not apply (step 1) within 6 months of completion (i.e. the final inspection certificate being issued), they will not get the grant.
How to apply
Follow these 2 steps to apply for the grant, and then claim it.
Step 1—Apply online
You must complete this step within the application timeframe.
You need to answer questions to confirm your eligibility for the grant and provide:
- details of the transaction, including the property address
- details of all applicants and their spouses
- a date you believe your contract will be completed, or the date the building works will be finalised.
You will also need to upload:
- a copy of your contract; or, if you are an owner-builder, evidence that the foundations have been laid (e.g. Form 16 inspection certificate)
- evidence of your name change (if applicable).
We will send you an email on the day of your nominated completion date so that you can move on to step 2.
Step 2—Claim the grant
Once your transaction has completed and you have all your supporting documents, you can claim the grant.
- Click Claims and reports.
- Locate your claim and click Submit now.
If you can’t see your claim in this section, it might be because your transaction completed earlier than expected (e.g. your build finished ahead of schedule). Your claim form won’t be available until the date that you entered in your application as the ‘estimated completed transaction’ date. If this date has been brought forward, use the online enquiry form to send us an email. (You can check the date by clicking the Applications tab. Open your original application and click Next until you reach Property/transaction details.)
You will need to provide supporting documents so that the Commissioner of State Revenue can determine your eligibility for the grant.
We generally process claims within 10 working days of receiving all the required information. To avoid delays, make sure you provide all your supporting documentation and current bank account details.
If your claim is approved, the grant will be deposited into your nominated bank account.