Purchasing your first home is a big deal, and the good news is there’s government support available to help make it more affordable. The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a one-off
payment designed to give first home buyers a leg up. In Western Australia, it can make a meaningful difference to what you can afford.
However, the grant is automatic. There are specific eligibility criteria you need to meet, and getting across these before you start shopping for property can save you stress down the line. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about FHOG eligibility in WA, including the common mistakes that catch buyers out and the stamp duty concessions that often go hand in hand.
What Is the First Home Owners Grant (FHOG)?
The First Home Owners Grant is a government initiative introduced to help Australians get into the property market for the first time. It’s a nationally consistent scheme, but each state administers its own version. In Western Australia, the grant is currently $10,000 for eligible purchases.
One important consideration to understand from the outset is that the FHOG in WA applies to new homes only. That means newly built homes, off-the-plan purchases and in some cases substantially renovated properties. If you’re looking at buying an established home – one that’s already been lived in – the FHOG won’t apply.
First Home Buyers Grant Eligibility in WA
Eligibility is assessed across several key areas: who you are, your property history, the property you’re purchasing itself and how you plan to use it. Here’s a clear breakdown of each:
Applicant Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the FHOG, you need to:
- Be an individual (not a company, trust or other entity)
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
If you’re applying jointly – for example, with a partner – at least one applicant must meet the citizenship or permanent residency requirement. Both applications need to satisfy the other criteria, including the first home buyer conditions explained below.
First Home Buyer Criteria
The FHOG is designed for individuals who genuinely haven’t owned property before. To be eligible, you must:
- Not have previously owned residential property in Australia, in any capacity
- Not have previously received a First Home Owners Grant anywhere in the country
It’s worth noting that how you previously owned property matters too. If you’ve held an interest in a residential property before – even as an investment, not as a place you lived in – that can affect your
eligibility. This is a nuance that catches some buyers off guard, so it’s worth checking your situation carefully before assuming you qualify.
Property Eligibility Requirements
The property itself also needs to meet specific conditions. The FHOG in WA applies to:
- Newly built homes (purchased from a builder or developer)
- Off-the-plan purchases (where the home is yet to be built at time of contract)
- Substantially renovated homes, in limited circumstances
Established homes are excluded. This is one of the most common points of confusion. If the property has been previously occupied as a residence, it generally won’t qualify. This is regardless of how old it is or how much work it needs.
Property Value Caps in WA
There are value thresholds you need to stay within. In WA, these differ depending on the location of the property:
- Metro Areas: The cap applies to properties up to a set value (check current thresholds via the WA Government website or your broker, as these can be updated)
- Regional Areas: A higher cap typically applies for properties outside of the metro boundary
Going over the applicable cap means you won’t qualify for the grant, even if you meet every other requirement. It’s something worth factoring into your property search from the beginning.
Residency Requirements
The FHOG isn’t just about what you buy, but also how you use it. To satisfy the residency requirement, you must:
- Move into the property as your principal place of residence
- Do so within 12 months of settlement or construction completion
- Live there continuously for at least 6 months
This requirement exists to ensure the grant supports owner-occupiers, not investors. If your plan is to rent the property out immediately after purchase, you won’t meet this condition.
Stamp Duty Concessions For First Home Buyers in WA
Alongside the FHOG, stamp duty concessions are one of the most valuable financial benefits available to first home buyers in WA – and the two often go together.
Stamp duty (also called transfer duty) is a government tax applied to property purchases. For first home buyers, the WA government offers significant concessions that can reduce this cost substantially or eliminate it entirely, depending on the value of the property.
Here’s how it works in WA:
- First home buyers purchasing a property valued up to $500,000 may be eligible for a full exemption from transfer duty
- For properties valued between $500,001 and $700,000 in the Perth Metropolitan or Peel regions, a partial concession applies on a sliding scale. Outside these regions, the sliding scale extends to $750,000
- Properties above these thresholds are generally not eligible for the concession
These thresholds were recently updated by the WA Government in June of 2026. As such it’s always a good idea to check their website for the most up-to-date figures. You can visit the relevant page on the Western Australian Government website here.
These thresholds apply to established homes as well as new builds, which is worth noting since the FHOG does not apply to established properties. Even if you’re buying an established home and miss out on the grant, you may still be eligible for a stamp duty concession.
The concession applies where at least one buyer is a first home buyer who intends to live in the property. The same residency intention rules apply, meaning this isn’t available for investment purchases.
This matters as stamp duty on a $500,000 property can be several thousand dollars. For first home buyers already stretching to save a deposit, even a partial concession makes a real difference to upfront costs and borrowing capacity. To understand how much stamp duty you can expect to pay on a property purchase, use our stamp duty calculator. Understanding both the FHOG and the stamp duty concession together gives you a clearer picture of the support available to you.
Common Mistakes That Affect FHOG Eligibility
A lot of first home buyers assume they’ll qualify without checking the finer details. Here are the mistakes we see most often:
- Assuming All First Home Buyers Are Eligible: The grant is specifically for new homes. Buying established takes you out of the running straight away.
- Not Knowing About A Previous Ownership Interest: Even a part-ownership in a property – perhaps through a deceased estate or a prior investment – can disqualify you. Check your history carefully.
- Exceeding The Property Value Cap: It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of finding a home you love. Make sure the purchase price sits within the applicable threshold before you go too far down the track.
- Not Meeting The Residency Requirement: Buying a new property with the intention of renting it out doesn’t satisfy the grant conditions. If you’re planning to live there, make sure your timeline and documentation reflects that.
- Errors or Delays in The Application: An incomplete application can cause settlement delays. Getting the paperwork right – and submitted at the right time – matters.
How to Apply for the First Home Buyers Grant in WA
The FHOG application is typically lodged as part of your home loan process. There are two ways to apply:
- Through An Approved Agent: most commonly your mortgage broker or lender, who lodges the application on your behalf as part of the finance process
- Directly Through RevenueWA: if you’re not using an approved agent, you can apply directly, though this is less common
You’ll generally need to provide proof of identity, your signed building or purchase contract and evidence of Australian citizenship or permanent residency. Your broker will guide you through exactly what’s required for your situation.
The timing of the application matters too. For new builds, the grant is typically paid at the time of first drawdown of the construction loan. For off-the-plan or completed new homes, it is paid at settlement.
Can You Combine FHOG With Other First Home Buyer Schemes?
Yes, and in many cases, it makes sense to. The FHOG, stamp duty concessions and federal schemes like the First Home Guarantee can all be accessed alongside each other, provided you meet the eligibility requirements for each.
The First Home Guarantee allows eligible buyers to purchase with as little as a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). Combined with the FHOG and a stamp duty concession, this can significantly reduce the upfront cash you need to get into your first home.
Each scheme has its own eligibility criteria, income thresholds and property price caps – so it pays to map out which ones apply to your situation before you start your search.
How Whiteroom Finance Can Help
Getting across all of this before you start your property search is genuinely worthwhile. We work with first home buyers every day, and the questions we hear most often are the ones this guide is designed to answer. That being said, every situation is a little different.
At Whiteroom Finance, we take the time to look at your specific circumstances and work out what you’re eligible for across the FHOG, stamp duty concessions and any federal schemes that apply. We’ll also structure your loan to work alongside the grant and handle the application on your behalf, so nothing gets missed.
There’s no cost to work with a broker, and we have access to over 50 lenders so you’re not limited to what one financial institution can offer.
Conclusion
The First Home Owners Grant can make a real difference for eligible WA buyers – but eligibility isn’t always straightforward and the details matter. Understanding the criteria before you start searching for a property means you won’t get caught out at the wrong moment.
When you factor in stamp duty concessions and other available schemes, the combined financial support for first home buyers in Western Australia can be substantial. It’s worth understanding the full picture.
If you’d like to confirm your eligibility or talk through your options, get in touch with the team at Whiteroom Finance. We’re here to make your first home ownership process as clear and straightforward as possible.
