Am I eligible for the First Home Owner Grant in WA?

Key takeaways:

• The Western Australian First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) provides a $10,000 payment for those building or purchasing a brand-new home, with property value caps set at $800,000 for areas south of the 26th parallel and $1 million for regional areas further north.
• Eligibility is determined by residency and ownership history rather than income, requiring that at least one applicant be an Australian citizen or permanent resident who has never previously owned a residential property in Australia before 1 July 2000.
• Successful applicants must occupy the property as their principal place of residence for at least six continuous months, commencing within 12 months of the home being completed or the settlement being finalised.

Western Australia’s First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) remains one of the most valuable forms of support for first home buyers, offering $10,000 towards the purchase or construction of a new home.

While the payment itself is straightforward, the eligibility rules are detailed, and missing a requirement can mean losing the grant altogether.

What the FHOG WA grant covers

It’s worth noting that the first home buyers grant in WA is not the same as the federal government’s First Home Guarantee scheme. The grant is a state-based payment, while the guarantee is a federal program that allows eligible buyers to purchase with a smaller deposit.

The FHOG WA for new builds is a once-off payment of up to $10,000. It applies to:

• Building a new home
• Buying a brand-new property
• Purchasing a property that has undergone substantial renovations.

The first home buyers grant WA does not apply to established homes. For instance, if you buy a newly built apartment in Perth, you may be eligible for the $10,000 payment. But if you purchase a 20-year-old villa in the same suburb, the grant will not apply.

Only one grant is payable per eligible transaction. So, if two people purchase together, they share a single payment.

Who can apply

Eligibility for the WA first home buyers grant is not based on income. Rather, it is dependent on your circumstances and property history. You may qualify for the FHOG if:

• You are 18 years or older (under-18s may apply for an exemption)
• At least one applicant is an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• You are applying as an individual, not as a company or trust
• Neither you nor your spouse/de facto partner has previously received the FHOG or owned residential property before 1 July 2000 (if you have owned property after this date, you must not have lived in it under certain conditions that would exclude you).

Example Case Study

Here’s a scenario: a 28-year-old Australian citizen buying their first home to live in is eligible. But a couple where one partner owned and lived in an apartment in 2006 would not qualify, even if the other has never owned property.

Property value limits

The total value of the property must fall under the capped amounts:

• $800,000 for homes located south of the 26th parallel – this includes Perth and all metropolitan suburbs
• $1 million for homes north of the 26th parallel, such as Karratha or Broome.

This means a $800,000 townhouse in Perth may qualify, but a $870,000 one will not. The cap includes both land and building costs, so owner-builders need to be especially careful when budgeting.

Residence requirement

Successful applicants must live in the property as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least six months, beginning within 12 months of completion or settlement.

For example, if you purchase a house in March 2025, you must move in by March 2026 and remain there until at least September 2026. If unexpected circumstances prevent you from doing so, you may apply for an extension, but approval is not guaranteed.

Failure to meet the residence requirement can result in repaying the FHOG WA and additional penalties.

How to apply

Applications are usually lodged through an approved agent, such as your lender or mortgage broker, when you apply for your home loan. If your lender is not an approved agent, you can lodge directly with RevenueWA.

Supporting documents typically include:

• Proof of identity and citizenship or residency
• Evidence of the transaction, such as your contract of sale or building contract
• Any additional documents relevant to your personal situation, such as divorce or separation papers.

Once your application is lodged and approved, the timing of the grant payment depends on the type of purchase. For property purchases, the grant is usually paid at settlement. For construction, it may be released at the first progress payment (such as slab down) or when the home is completed and ready for occupation.

For those purchasing a property, having a clear checklist for buying a house is vital to navigate the fast-moving Perth housing market successfully.

How a broker can help

The rules around First Home Owner Grant WA eligibility, value caps and residence requirements can be confusing, especially when they overlap with concessional stamp duty rates. A mortgage broker can confirm what you qualify for, help with the paperwork and ensure your application is lodged correctly.

At Loan Market Bal & Associates in Welshpool, we work with first home buyers across Western Australia to explain their options and match them with loan products suited to their circumstances. By taking care of the details, we make the process clearer and less stressful.

They can also explain options like those discussed in your guide to buying a home with no deposit.

Next steps

If you are considering buying or building your first home in WA, understanding the FHOG can make a real difference to your budget. The key is checking whether you qualify before you sign a contract, and making sure you can meet the residency and value requirements. If you're currently looking at areas you buy, check out our article on the most undervalued suburbs in Perth for first home buyers. We've also written an explainer on the most affordable suburbs for families if you're looking to move your family into their first home.

Before planning your purchase, you may be weighing the overall benefits of relocation. It is a good idea to read our guide on moving to Perth which compares the costs, careers, and community appeal.

To find out what the FHOG WA could mean for you – and to get personalised advice on your borrowing capacity – get in touch with Loan Market Bal & Associates in Welshpool today.