First Home Owners Boost
Please Note: The First Home Owners Boost ceased to apply from 1 January 2010. The $7000 First Home Owner Grant and the First Home Bonus Grant of up to $4000 continue to apply. For more detail, see below information.
The Boost was introduced on 14 October 2008, by the Australian Government, which together with the current $7000 First Home Owner Grant (“FHOG”) provides first home buyers with up to $21 000 where contracts were entered into on or before 30 June 2009. The Boost was extended on 12 May 2009 in the Commonwealth Budget, to continue in its current form for contracts entered into on or before 30 September 2009, and then will reduce by half for contracts entered into on or after 1 October 2009 and on or before 31 December 2009.
The Boost will leverage off the administration of the current FHOG scheme.
The First Home Owners Boost will provide an additional $7000 to first home buyers purchasing an established home where the contract was entered into on or before 30 September 2009. First home buyers purchasing a newly-constructed home will receive an additional $14 000 where the contract is entered into on or before 30 September 2009.
From 1 October 2009 to 31 December 2009 the First Home Owners Boost will halve to an additional $3500 for established homes and $7000 for building a new home or purchasing a newly constructed home. Time limits will apply on the building and completion of the newly-constructed home in order for first home buyers to qualify for the First Home Owners Boost. A newly-constructed home means a property that has never been sold by the builder/vendor, or been occupied as a residence by a tenant or other occupant. The purchaser must have proof, such as a statement from the vendor or other evidence, that the property meets these requirements for them to be eligible for the higher level of the First Home Owners Boost.
Below is a table of Boost amounts and cut off dates applicable to purchasing established homes, purchasing new homes, building contracts for new homes, new homes built by owner builders or ‘off the plan’ new homes.
Boost amounts and cut-off dates
| $7 000 Boost | $3 500 Boost | ||
| Established Homes | |||
| Contract to purchase to be entered into: | From 14 October 2008 to 30 September 2009 (inclusive) | From 1 October 2009 to 31 December 2009 (inclusive) | |
| $14 000 Boost | $7 000 Boost | ||
| New Homes (Homes that have been built but not previously lived in) | |||
| Contract to purchase to be entered into: | From 14 October 2008 to 30 September 2009 (inclusive) | From 1 October 2009 to 31 December 2009 (inclusive) | |
| Building Contracts for New Homes | |||
| Sign contract for building | From 14 October 2008 to 30 September 2009 (inclusive) | From 1 October 2009 to 31 December 2009 (inclusive) | |
| Commencement of building | Within 26 weeks of signing contract | Within 26 weeks of signing contract | |
| Completion of building | Within 18 months of building commencement | Within 18 months of building commencement | |
| New Homes Built by Owner Builders | |||
| Commencement of building | Must lay foundations on or after 14 October 2008 and or before 30 September 2009 | Must lay foundations on or after 1 October 2009 and on or before 31 December 2009 | |
| Completion of building | Within 18 months of building commencement | Within 18 months of building commencement | |
| Purchase of New Home "off-the plan" | |||
| Sign contract for building | From 14 October 2008 to 30 June 2009 (inclusive) | From 1 July 2009 to 30 September 2009 (inclusive) |
From 1 October 2009 to 31 December 2009 (inclusive) |
| Commencement of building | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Completion of building | On or before 31 December 2010, as stipulated in contract. If the contract does not make this stipulation, then the actual completion date of the home must occur on or before 31 December 2010. |
On or before 31 March 2011, as stipulated in contract. If the contract does not make this stipulation, then the actual completion date of the home must occur on or before 31 March 2011. |
On or before 30 June 2011, as stipulated in contract. If the contract does not make this stipulation, then the actual completion date of the home must occur on or before 30 June 2011. |
The FHOG eligibility criteria are generally that:
- the applicant be a natural person;
- the applicant be at least 18;
- the applicant be an Australian citizen or permanent resident;
- the applicant or their spouse must not have received an earlier grant;
- the applicant or their spouse must not have had a prior interest in residential property;
- the applicant must occupy the home to which the application relates as the applicant’s principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least 6 months (or a shorter period approved by the Commissioner) commencing within 12 months of completion of the eligible transaction (or within a longer period approved by the Commissioner).
More information is available on our Frequently Asked Questions page or our Fact Sheet.
To apply for the $7000 FHOG and the First Home Owners Boost for an established home, first home buyers only need to complete the First Home Owner Grant application form.
To apply for the $7000 FHOG and the First Home Owners Boost for building a new home or purchasing a newly constructed home, first home buyers need to complete the First Home Owner Grant Application Form and the Addendum to the First Home Owner Grant Application - Application to claim the First Home Owners Boost for New Homes.
Enquiries:
Telephone (08) 8226 3750 or Free Call 1800 637 778 or
fhog.support@sa.gov.au
This page was last reviewed 5 January, 2010
