Budgeting for your first home is a big deal. While there’s no magic wand that will take care of the total cost for you, the Queensland government has recently doubled the Queensland First Owners Grant (FHOG), relieving some of the pressure. The new FHOG is a very cool $30,000 (double the original grant), making the dream of home ownership possible for thousands of Queenslanders. So, how does it work and who’s eligible? Read on to find out everything you need to know about the latest Queensland First Home Owners Grant. 

The Queensland FHOG (also known casually as the First Home Buyers grant) is a financial aid program from the Queensland Government, designed to help Aussies achieve their first home. Provided you qualify, you’ll receive a one-off payment towards a brand new or extensively renovated home. 

What does substantially renovated mean?

Renovations are considered significant and/or substantial if you change most of the house, including removing and replacing foundations. If the seller has only renovated one bedroom and the kitchen of their three bedroom home, it wouldn’t count - they would need to spend at least $150,000 on alterations . You can learn more about the specifics here.

The most recent changes have increased the FHOG from $15,000 to $30,000, from the 20th of November, 2023, with aspiring first time home builders being able to access this increased amount from January 2024. While we expect the FHOG to stick around in some shape or form for many years to come, the current iteration expires on June 30, 2025, just in time for the 2025-2026 financial year. 

The Queensland First Home Owner Grant is available to buyers who meet both the personal and the transaction eligibility requirements. Buyers will need to ensure their desired property (land, build and changes to contract)  is less than $750,000 to qualify. 

QFHOG Conditions - Finding out if you're eligible

Before getting the ball rolling, ensure you tick the following boxes (and put together proof to speed up your application): 

Provided you’ve collected and submitted all necessary documentation (collaborate with either your bank or your broker for a smooth process) the Queensland Revenue Office will approve or deny your application in 10 business days.  

In Queensland, there is a transfer (stamp) duty concession for eligible first home buyers purchasing a home valued at less than $550,000, with the transfer duty waived on homes valued less than $500,000.

When building a new home, first home buyers only pay stamp duty on the land. They do not pay stamp duty for land valued under $250,000 and only pay a concessional rate for land valued between $250,000 and $400,000.

The $30,000 FHOG can only be used as part of the deposit for the cost of the build/to pay the building contract. This means that you will need to save money for the deposit for the block of land.

While the grant will help you kickstart your journey towards owning your own home, many banks will need to see evidence of genuine savings as well to approve a loan.

What are genuine savings?

This is money you have saved up over time to demonstrate your ability to manage money. Clarendon Homes highly recommends talking to your lender about using the FHOG as a deposit.

There’s never been a better time to be a first home buyer in Queensland. If you’re tossing up whether or not you should build in the sunshine state, check out equivalent grants from around Australia. 

1. No transfer (stamp) duty on the new home, only on land value

Transfer duty is a cost to your new home that can sneak up on you. Also known as stamp duty, it is tax paid to the Queensland Government on the transfer of the property title from one person to another, the buyer and the seller. However, when you choose to build a new home, there’s no stamp duty payable on the construction costs of the new home, only on the land value – saving you thousands!

2. Built for you, to suit your lifestyle

When you build, you have a say in every aspect of your home’s planning. From the floorplan to the facade, and even down to the colours, materials and appliances – it’s all designed to reflect you and your lifestyle.

3. Lifetime structural guarantee

At Clarendon Homes, every home we build is covered by a Lifetime Structural Guarantee, giving you peace of mind for the lifetime of your occupancy. 

4. Warranties and less maintenance

Your new home will also come with a 12-month warranty period for minor defects.