First Home Owner Grant FAQ

	What is the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)?
	Where can I get detailed information about eligibility for the FHOG?
	What is the First Home Bonus?
	Where can I get detailed information about eligibility for the First Home Bonus?
	What is the First Home Boost?
	Where can I get detailed information about the First Home Boost?
	How do I apply for the First Home Owner Grant?
	What documents will I need for my FHOG application?
	When will I receive the payment of the FHOG?

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What is the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)?

The First Home Owner Grant is a one-off grant payable to first home owners that meet the eligibility criteria. In addition to the FHOG, a first home buyer may also be eligible for the first Home Bonus and the First Home Owner Boost.

The State Revenue Office of Victoria provides full information about the various schemes, together with a useful eligibility table. Click on the following link to visit the SRO site.[More]

Where can I get detailed information about eligibility for the FHOG?

The State Revenue Office of Victoria provides a set of FAQs about eligibility in a variety of circumstances. Click on the following link to visit the SRO site.[More]

What is the First Home Bonus?

First home buyers who qualify for the First Home Owner Grant (the grant) may also be eligible for an additional payment known as the First Home Bonus (the bonus). To be eligible to receive the bonus, the value of the property must not exceed $500,000. [More]

Where can I get detailed information about eligibility for the First Home Bonus?

The State Revenue Office of Victoria provides a set of FAQs about eligibility in a variety of circumstances. Click on the following link to visit the SRO site. [More]

What is the First Home Boost?

The First Home Owner Boost Scheme (the Boost) is an Australian Government initiative to assist first home buyers purchase or build their first home. The scheme is administered by the Victorian Government (State Revenue Office) and is in addition to the $7,000 First Home Owner Grant. The Boost provides first home buyers with:

• an extra $7,000 for buying an established home
• an extra $14,000 for buying or building a new home

The Boost applies to contracts entered into between 14 October 2008 and 30 June 2009 (inclusive). [More]

Where can I get detailed information about the First Home Boost?

The State Revenue Office of Victoria provides a set of FAQs about the First Home Boost. Click on the following link to visit the SRO site. [More]

How do I apply for the First Home Owner Grant?

Applying BEFORE settlement through your lender

When completing an home loan application with your chosen lender you will be asked to fill in a First Home Owner Grant form. Most lenders are "approved agents" for the State Revenue Office of Victoria, and are authorised to process the FHOG your application on behalf of the State Revenue Office.

During the loan application process you will be asked to test your eligibility and apply for the First Home Owner Grant. Your lender will then guide you through the application process, including the 100 point identity check.

Apply AFTER settlement by yourself

You can apply after settlement or after completion of construction. This usually means that you will not have the benefit of the grant at settlement. You will need to ensure that you have sufficient funds to cover the purchaser price of the property, plus enough to cover the full amount of stamp duty on settlement day, and you will not be able to off-set these costs against the FHOG.

What documents will I need for my FHOG application?

The following information comes from the website of the State Revenue Office and is reproduced here to provide visitors with and understanding of the application process, and the supporting documentation required for a FHOG application:

If lodging with an approved agent

Each applicant and their spouse/partner must provide a Category 1 document.

The 100 point check conducted by theapproved agent will meet the remaining Proof of Identity categories.

If lodging with the State Revenue Office of Victoria

Each applicant and their spouse/partner must provide a document from each of the four categories (i.e. four documents per person). A single document cannot be used for more than one category. Preferred documents are shown below.

If you are unable to provide the preferred documents, please contact the State Revenue Office of Victoria to discuss your circumstances.

Category 1

Primary identity document and evidence of citizenship or permanent residency (provide one document)

If an Australian citizen:

• Australian birth certificate issued by Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
• Australian passport
• Citizenship certificate

If a citizen of another country:

• Current passport
• Evidence of permanent residency or permanent residence visa

If a New Zealand citizen:

• Current passport

NOTE: New Zealand citizens must be living in Australia upon completion of the eligible transaction

NOTE: At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the date of settlement or completion of construction

Category 2*

Linkage between identity and person (photo and signature) (provide one document):

• Australian drivers licence (current)
• Passport (current)
• Firearms licence (current)
• Proof of age issued by Consumer Affairs (photo ID card)

Category 3*

Evidence that each applicant and their spouse/partner reside in Australia (provide one document):

• Medicare card
• Motor vehicle registration
• Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs card

Category 4*

Evidence of each applicant and their spouse/partner’s residential address (provide one document):

• Utility documents of residential address (e.g. bills for electricity, gas, water etc.)
• Insurance policy with current residential address
• Rates notice
• Mortgage papers
• Electoral enrolment card
• Lease or tenancy agreement
• Work notice/reports/reference
• Taxation notice of assessment

Additional supporting evidence is required if any of the following applies to you:

If you are:

• Married – a certified copy of your marriage certificate
• Divorced – a certified copy of your divorce certificate
• Widowed – a certified copy of the death certificate of your spouse/partner, or
• Separated – a statutory declaration with the following information:
  • the name of your former spouse/partner
  • former spouse/partner’s date of birth
  • the date you were married or commenced your domestic relationship
  • the date you separated
  • your former spouse/partner’s current address (if known), and
  • a statement to the effect that you do not live together and have no intention of resuming cohabitation.

NOTE: Evidence of change of name is required if the name on any of the documents presented is different to the name of the applicant (e.g. change of name certificate, statutory declaration)

* Not required if application is lodged through an approved agent.

Please provide evidence which relates to the type of transaction you have entered into:

• A certified copy of the exchanged contract of sale, dated and signed by all parties.
• A photocopy of the transfer of land form signed by all parties showing date duty paid or, where the grant is to be offset against the duty payable, the original fully executed transfer of land form*.

Purchasing from a related or associated party*

• A photocopy of the stamped transfer of land form with the Land Registry Victoria registration number.
• Evidence that the consideration has been paid by the applicant (e.g. provide certified copies of bank statements of both the vendor and applicant showing the payment [withdrawal and deposit of purchase money] at settlement and any loan agreement).

Purchasing from a deceased estate (related)#

Where you are related to the deceased person or are a beneficiary under the Will of the deceased person provide the following:

• A certified copy of the Will and Grant of Probate
• A certified copy of settlement statement for the estate
• Evidence of payment of consideration to the estate, and
• A photocopy of the stamped transfer of land form with the Land Registry Victoria registration number.

Purchasing from a deceased estate (not related)

• Where you are not related to the deceased person and are not a beneficiary under the Will of the deceased person, provide a statutory declaration confirming these details.

Nominee purchaser where you are a related or associated party to the named purchaser in the contract*

• Evidence that the consideration has been paid by the applicant (e.g. provide certified copies of mortgage, loan agreement, bank cheques and bank statements).

* Not required if application is lodged through an approved agent.
# Application must be lodged with the SRO

Further supporting evidence is required for the following:

B - Contract to build a home

A certified copy of the:

• Contract to build dated and signed by all parties
• Title search showing the applicant(s) as the registered proprietor(s)*
• Certificate of Occupancy*.

C - Owner builder

A certified copy of the:

• Evidence of the date for laying of the foundations (e.g. receipt(s), notice of inspection)
• Certificate of Occupancy
• Title search showing the applicant(s) as the registered proprietor(s)*
• Documentary evidence of building costs incurred for the construction of the home*.
  
  The evidence submitted must total an amount equal to or greater than the grant and must not include your own labour costs.

NOTE: Additional documents may be requested after lodgement of application in order to confirm eligibility for the grant.

* Not required if application is lodged through an approved agent.

Please note: Only send certified copies of documents. Do not send original documents.

When will I receive the payment of the FHOG?

The date the grant is paid depends on whether you are building or buying. It also depends on whether you are applying through an approved agent or the SRO. The following table has been prepared by the State Revenue Office of Victoria details the various scenarios.

Payment of the grant is subject to the written approval being made by the Commissioner.

Your application will be returned to you if not fully completed and the required supporting evidence is not attached.

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