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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; and
• the market value of the new home is no more than $575,000, the market value includes the land value;
• you and all other applicants are 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 form 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.

If your spouse or domestic partner is not applicant, you must also complete the details in section 3 and they must sign the declaration in section 7.

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.

Further 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.

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