The NSW First Home Buyers Grant helps make homeownership more attainable for first-time buyers across New South Wales. The grant aims to support those buying or building a new house, townhouse, apartment, or substantially renovated property, provided these homes have not been previously occupied or sold.
What Is the First Home Owner Grant?
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a NSW Government initiative designed to make entering the housing market less daunting for aspiring first-time buyers. Currently, the grant offers $10,000 to help with the purchase or construction of a new home, a house-and-land package, or the acquisition of a substantially renovated property that has never been lived in since the renovations.
The aim is clear: create new beginnings for individuals and couples who have never owned property, while also stimulating new home construction and economic activity in NSW.
How Much is The First Home Buyers Grant in NSW?
In 2025, the grant offers a one-off, tax-free payment of $10,000, a significant sum that can reduce the cash you need at settlement, help top up your deposit, or even be the difference-maker that tips your mortgage approval over the line.
But to access this grant, there are a few clear rules you must meet. The $10,000 is only available when you buy or build a brand new home, including off-the-plan properties or a substantially renovated residence that no one has lived in since the renovation was finished.
Property Value Caps
- New homes, apartments, or substantially renovated properties: Your contract price must not exceed $600,000
- For a house-and-land package or building from scratch: The total combined value (land + construction) must not exceed $750,000.
- Stamp duty concessions may apply for properties valued up to $1 million, under the separate First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme (FHBAS).
Additional Conditions to Remember
- At least one buyer must move in within 12 months of settlement (or build completion) and live there for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
- You must apply as a natural person, not a company or trust. There are limited exemptions for trusts, but these are rare and generally not applicable to most buyers.
- Neither you nor your spouse can have previously received a First Home Owners Grant anywhere in Australia, or owned property you’ve lived in for 12 months or more since July 2023.
- Detailed documentation, including proof of identity, the contract, and evidence that the property is brand new, must be submitted. Applications go via your lender (common with home loans) or directly to Revenue NSW.
Who is Eligible for the First Home Owner Grant?
- Are all applicants at least 18 years old?
- Is at least one applicant an Australian citizen or permanent resident?
- Neither you nor your spouse/partner has previously owned residential property in Australia (with some exceptions before July 2000).
- Are you buying/building a brand-new property, or a substantially renovated home that has never been lived in since its renovation?
- Is the property value under $600,000 for a new/renovated home, or is the combined land and build contract under $750,000 for a new build from scratch?
- Will at least one owner live in the home as their principal residence for a minimum of 6 months (12 months for contracts signed after July 2023), within 12 months of settlement or build completion?
Who Isn’t Eligible for the First Home Owner Grant?
It’s important for aspiring applicants to understand that the NSW First Home Owners Grant comes with strict eligibility requirements, and several circumstances can make an individual ineligible for the grant. This ensures that the scheme directly benefits genuine first-time buyers. The following situations will disqualify an applicant:
- Any applicant or their spouse/partner has previously owned or co-owned residential property in Australia before 1 July 2000, regardless of whether it was lived in or not.
- Any applicant or their spouse/partner has received the First Home Owner Grant in Australia before.
- An applicant or their spouse/partner has owned a property after 1 July 2000 and occupied it as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of six months or more, even if they no longer own it now.
- The application is made as a company or a trust, rather than as a person.
How to Apply for the NSW First Home Owner Grant?
Applying for the NSW First Home Owner (New Homes) Grant is a straightforward process, but it requires all paperwork to be correct and lodged on time. You can either apply directly through the NSW Government or through your home loan lender or builder if they are approved agents.
Steps to Apply:
- Confirm you meet all eligibility criteria.
- Gather the required documents (proof of identity, citizenship, and the property/building contract).
- Lodge your application via your lender or submit it directly to Revenue NSW.
- Once approved, the grant is paid at settlement (for completed homes) or when construction starts (for new builds).
What Happens Next? From Application to Celebration
After approval, the grant is typically paid to your lender at settlement for completed homes or to your builder/bank once construction begins for new builds. Most application delays come from missing paperwork, especially title deeds or certified IDs. Double-check everything before submission and keep records accessible.
If you’re an Australian Defence Force member and all applicants are on the NSW electoral roll, you’re not required to live in your home for the minimum period. If circumstances require vacating your home before the minimum residency, Revenue NSW must approve your exemption, or the grant may be refunded
Other First-Home Buyer Incentives to Know About
In addition to the NSW First Home Owner (New Homes) Grant, the federal government has expanded its Home Guarantee Scheme from October 2025, letting eligible first-home buyers purchase with just a 5 per cent deposit and no lender’s mortgage insurance. ABC News covers the full story here.
Build Smarter with Kurmond Homes
Kurmond Homes doesn’t just help with grant paperwork; our experts provide one-on-one new home building guidance, design consultations, and budget solutions tailored for first home buyers.
- Use your grant for upgraded finishes, solar tech, smart security, or landscaping.
- Lower your loan-to-value ratio to reduce monthly repayments and insurance charges.
