2024-25 State Budget removes the property value cap for first home owner grant for eligible contracts entered into on or after 6 June 2024
[Music]
Welcome to RevenueSA’s educational video series. In this video we will look at the eligibility criteria for the first home owner grant in South Australia, how to apply and where to go for further information.
Are you eligible for a First Home Owner Grant in South Australia?
A once of first home owner grant of up to $15,000 is available to eligible first home owners purchasing or building a brand new home. The grant is not just restricted to houses it can also be for a new unit, townhouse or apartment.
You may be eligible for the first home owner grant if:
- you are building a brand new home; or
- purchasing a new home which has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence, including a substantially renovated home;
- If you entered into a contract to purchase or build a new home on or after 6 June 2024 the first home owner grant is available for an eligible property, regardless of its market value.
If you entered into a contract between 15 June 2023 and 5 June 2024 the grant is only available for eligible properties with a market value of $650,000 or less.
If you entered into a contract on or before 14 June 2023 the grant is only available for eligible properties with a market value of $575,000 or less.
Please see RevenueSA’s website for more information; - you and all other applicants must be natural persons, that is, not a trustee or company, and are least 18 years of age;
- at least one of the applicants must be an Australian Citizen or have permanent residency in Australia. New Zealand citizens permanently residing in Australia who hold special category Visas may also apply;
- the residential property must be occupied by all applicants as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least six months, commencing within 12 months of date of settlement for contracts to purchase or from the date construction is completed for owner builders or contracts to build. Basically, a principal place of residence is your main or primary residence where you undertake the usual day to day activities associated with living in a home, for example, where you cook, eat, sleep, entertain friends etc. It is where you live permanently with your personal belongings on a daily basis. Additionally, you or your spouse or domestic partner, either jointly or separately, must not have:
- previously received the first home owner grant in Australia. However, if you have previously received the first home owner grant and repaid it, you may still be eligible;
- owned a residential property in Australia prior to 1 July 2000; or
- lived in a residential property in Australia which you owned on or after 1 July 2000 for a continuous period of at least six months.
These criteria apply even if your spouse or domestic partner is not an applicant with you for the first home owner grant.
How do I apply?
You can complete and lodge an application with the financial institution providing your finance (if they are an approved agent) or you can apply directly to RevenueSA.
Applications need to be made within 12 months of completing the transaction.
Other things to note…
Please also be aware, there may be a number of state taxes and levies incurred when you purchase a home, these include:
- stamp duty
- land tax; and
- emergency services levy.
As a first home buyer you may also be eligible for stamp duty relief.
More information can be found on RevenueSA’s website.
That brings us to the end of this educational video. If you require any further assistance please contact us.
[Music]
If you are a first home buyer you may be eligible for the first home owner grant of up to $15,000, if you are:
- buying or building a new home* (including a house, flat, unit, townhouse or apartment) in South Australia; and
- that home will be your principal place of residence.
* New home – a home that has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence, including a substantially renovated home.
Stamp duty relief for eligible first home buyers may also be available.
The first home owner grant ceased for established homes from 1 July 2014.
You may be eligible for the grant if:
Please select the tab relevant to the commencement date of your eligible transaction. If you have not yet signed a contract, please select On or after 6 June 2024.
The commencement date of an eligible transaction is, in the case of:
- a contract, the date when the contract is made;
- the building of a home by an owner builder, the date when laying the foundations for the home commences or another date the Commissioner of State Taxation considers appropriate in the circumstances of the case.
- you are purchasing a new home that has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence which includes a substantially renovated home.
- at least one applicant is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. New Zealand citizens permanently residing in Australia who hold Special Category Visas may also apply.
- each applicant is 18 years of age or older
- you or your spouse/domestic partner have not held a relevant interest in an Australian residential property prior to 1 July 2000.
- you or your spouse/domestic partner have not occupied an Australian residential property in which you had a relevant interest on or after 1 July 2000 for 6 months or longer.
- you and your spouse/domestic partner have not previously received a first home owner grant in any state or territory of Australia. If a grant was received but later paid back together with any penalty (if applicable) you may be entitled to reapply for the grant.
- all applicants must reside in the home as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least 6 months commencing within 12 months of date of settlement for contracts to purchase, or the date construction is completed for owner builders or contracts to build.
- you are purchasing a new home that has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence which includes a substantially renovated home.
- the market value of the property is:
- $650,000 or less where the contract was entered into on or after 15 June 2023
- $575,000 or less where the contract was entered into between 17 September 2010 and 14 June 2023
- at least one applicant is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. New Zealand citizens permanently residing in Australia who hold Special Category Visas may also apply.
- each applicant is 18 years of age or older
- you or your spouse/domestic partner have not held a relevant interest in an Australian residential property prior to 1 July 2000.
- you or your spouse/domestic partner have not occupied an Australian residential property in which you had a relevant interest on or after 1 July 2000 for 6 months or longer.
- you and your spouse/domestic partner have not previously received a first home owner grant in any state or territory of Australia. If a grant was received but later paid back together with any penalty (if applicable) you may be entitled to reapply for the grant.
- all applicants must reside in the home as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least 6 months commencing within 12 months of date of settlement for contracts to purchase, or the date construction is completed for owner builders or contracts to build.
Companies and trusts are not eligible for the first home owner grant.
There are no requirements as to how you use your grant.
The first home owner grant is administered under the following legislation:
- First Home and Housing Construction Grants Act 2000
- First Home and Housing Construction Grants Regulations 2015
What else do I need to consider if purchasing a residential property in South Australia?
The Residential Property Buyer Tool will provide you with information on state revenue obligations that you may need to pay, and exemptions and/or grants you may be entitled to receive.
Use the Residential Property Buyer Tool
Contact us
When contacting us please provide your first home owner grant unique identification number (UIN).
fhog.support@sa.gov.au | |
phone | (08) 8226 3750, select option 4 |
fax | (08) 8226 3737 |
post | GPO Box 1353, Adelaide, SA 5001 |
You can reach us during business hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm (South Australian time), Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
Do you want to provide feedback or lodge a complaint?
You can do so via our feedback and complaints page.
Media Releases
Stamp Duty officially abolished for all first homebuyers who build new homes (4 June 2024)