The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) was a Federal Government
scheme established to offset the effect of the GST on home
ownership by providing a grant to first homeowners.
The FHOG scheme came into effect on 1 July 2000 and is
an on-going scheme with no end date yet specified.
The FHOG is not means-tested nor is it restricted by the
purchase price of the property. A contract to purchase an
existing home or to build a new home must be signed on or
after 1 July 2000.
Many FHOG applicants may also qualify for various State
Government grants and subsidies. The terms and conditions
of such grants will vary dependent upon current State legislation
and applicants should contact Money Ideas Australia for
a current update.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?
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| To be eligible to receive the FHOG, the
following eligibility criteria must be satisfied: :
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- Each applicant and their partner must not have
received a grant under a First Home Owner Grant
Act 2000, in any State or Territory of Australia;
- Each applicant and their partner must not have
owned residential property, either jointly, separately
or with some other person prior to 1 July 2000,
in any State or Territory of Australia;
- Each applicant and their partner must not have
owned and occupied a residential property, either
jointly, separately or with some other person on
or after 1 July 2000, in any State or Territory
of Australia;
- Each applicant must be a natural person (not
a company);
From 1 January 2004, each applicant must be at least
18 years of age at the time of settlement or completion
of construction of the home
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| Note: The Commissioner
may exempt an applicant from this requirement if satisfied
that the home will be occupied, as the applicant's principal
place of residence and the application does not form
part of a scheme to circumvent eligibility or entitlement
requirements. |
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- At least one applicant for the grant must be
a permanent resident or Australian citizen at the
time of settlement or completion of construction
of the home.
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Note: A permanent resident
includes the holder of a permanent visa under section
30(1) of the Migration Act 1958. New Zealand citizens
holding a special category visa under section 32 of
the Migration Act 1958 also satisfy this requirement.
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- From 1 January 2004, at least one applicant must
occupy the home as his or her principal place of
residence for a continuous period of at least 6
months commencing within 12 months of either settlement
or completion of construction.
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| Note: The Commissioner
may approve a lesser period if satisfied that there
are good reasons why the applicant cannot comply with
the 6-month requirement. The Commissioner also has discretion
to extend the 12-month period if satisfied that the
applicant cannot occupy the home within 12 months of
settlement or completion of construction due to circumstances
that were unforeseen and beyond the control of the applicant. |
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| For more information contact Money
Ideas on 1800
800 112 |
