FHOG… or First Home Owners Grant
Thinking about building your first home in South Australia? The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) could give you a helping hand with up to $15,000 towards your new home! Here’s what you need to know to get started.
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Who can benefit?
Buying or building a brand-new home
Purchasing an off-the-plan apartment
Taking on a substantial renovation
Doing a knock-down rebuild (if your contract was before 13 Feb 2025)
Acting as an owner-builder
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Basic Requirements:
You must be 18 or older
You must be a natural person
At least one applicant must be:
An Australian citizen or permanent resident, or
A New Zealand citizen living permanently in Australia with a Special Category visa
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Important Property Rules:
If your contract starts after 13 February 2025, you won’t qualify if you or your partner currently own or have previously owned any Australian residential property.
If your contract was before 13 Feb 2025, you may still be eligible if you owned a property after 1 July 2000 but didn’t live in it for 6 months or more. Properties owned before 1 July 2000 make you ineligible.
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Living in your new home:
You’ll need to live in your home as your principal place of residence for at least 6 months, starting within 12 months of completion. If your circumstances change, you’ll need to let RevenueSA know within 14 days.
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How to get your grant:
Most banks and lenders can lodge your application for you if they’re an approved agent
You can also apply directly through RevenueSA
If you need the grant for settlement or your first progress payment, it must be lodged via an approved agent https://www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au/FHOG/approved-agents)
Be prepared to provide documentation for you and your spouse or domestic partner, even if they’re not applying
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Why this matters for first home builders?
The FHOG is a fantastic opportunity to make your dream home more affordable. Whether you’re building from scratch, doing a knock-down rebuild, or purchasing off-the-plan, this grant can help cover a portion of your costs.
Starting your home-building journey can feel overwhelming—but with the First Home Owner Grant, you’ve got a little boost to make it easier.
