If you have never owned residential property in Australia before, you may be eligible for a First Home Owners Grant to assist you in the purchase of your first home (currently $7,000.00).  The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) scheme is a once off grant to first home buyers of $7000. The scheme was introduced on 1 July 2000 and is on-going with no end date yet identified. The grant is not means-tested, nor is it restricted by the purchase price or construction cost of the home.

To be able to get the grant you must, amongst other things:

• be over 18 years of age;
• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident;
• have never received the grant before;
• within one year of buying the property, move in and live in the property as your principal place of residence for at least six months.

If your application is successful, you will be paid the grant following settlement of your purchase. Alternatively, if you are obtaining finance to assist with your purchase, the grant may be able to be paid direct to your financier so that your financier can provide you with the additional money on settlement. Ask your financier for more details about payment of the grant.