What grants are available for first home buyers in WA?
If you are a first time home buyer, you’re probably wondering what grants are available for first home buyers in WA. The good news? There are a lot!
On this page, we go over eligibility requirements for the the grants available in WA, recent changes to grants, and answers to FAQs so you can move forward with confidence toward homeownership.
First Home Owner Grant
Eligible first time home buyers may qualify for the First Home Owner Grant.
This one-off 10,000 payment can be a huge help in making homeownership a reality for eligible WA residents.
FHOG eligibility requirements
Here are some of the requirements to qualify for the FHOG in WA:
- Applicant must be 18 or older
- Applicant must be a permanent resident or Australian citizen
- Applicant must occupy the home as a primary residence for at least 6 continuous months within the first year of settlement or building completion
- A trust or company cannot be used to purchase the property (unless the trustee is for someone with a legal disability)
Additionally, eligibility requirements for the FHOG as stated by the WA government include:
- Applicants and/or their spouses or de facto partners cannot have previously received the grant or first home owner rate of duty from any jurisdiction in Australia
- Applicants cannot have owned residential property anywhere in Australia before 1 July 2000
- Applicants cannot have owned residential property anywhere in Australia on or after 1 July 2000 and occupied that property as a place of residence before 1 July 2004
- Applicants cannot have owned residential property anywhere in Australia on or after 1 July 2000 and occupied that property as a place of residence for a continuous period of at least six months that began on or after 1 July 2004.
There are more eligibility requirements to consider, but it is generally easy for first home buyers in WA to qualify for this grant.
Property eligibility requirements
The First Home Owner Grant also includes property requirements to be eligible.
These restrictions pertain to total property value and how long the buyer will reside in the home as their primary residence.
‘Total property value’ eligibility requirements are:
- South of the 26th parallel, eligible properties must be valued at less than $750,000
- North of the 26th parallel, eligible properties are limited to a value of $1 million
Helpful note: Perth metropolitan areas are considered south of the 26th parallel.
How to apply for the FHOG in WA
Want to apply for the FHOG? The good news is that it’s fairly easy.
You can apply directly through the Department of Finance, contact one of our first home buyer specialists for help, or work with an approved lending agent.
First Home Guarantee
The First Home Guarantee (FHG) scheme helps eligible first home buyers with their deposit.
As part of this scheme, eligible buyers can qualify to purchase a home with as low as a 5% deposit and no LMI (lender’s mortgage insurance) payments.
FHG eligibility requirements
From 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, 35,000 First Home Guarantee (FHG) places are available.
To be eligible to apply for the FHG, you must meet the following criteria:
- Residency Status: Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (including New Zealand Special Category Visa subclass 444 holders).
- Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
- Property Occupancy: Buyers must intend to occupy the property as their primary residence (and move in within 6 months of settlement or completion for new builds).
- Income Limits: Joint applicants can earn up to $200,000 combined, and individuals can earn up to $125,000, as shown on the Notice of Assessment from the Australian Taxation Office for the previous financial year (for 2025-26 applications, this means the 2024-25 NOA; if not available yet, pre-approvals can proceed until August 31, 2025, with settlement after providing it).
- Previous Property Ownership: Buyers must not have owned a property in Australia within the past ten years (this applies to all applicants in a joint application).
- Application Type: Can apply as an individual or two joint applicants.
- Property Type: Must be buying a residential property, which includes:
- Home
- Apartment
- Townhouse
- House and land package
- Off-the-plan townhouse or apartment
- Land and a home building contract
Additionally, the property value must not exceed location-specific price caps, which you can check using the Postcode Search Tool on the Housing Australia website.
These eligibility criteria ensure that the FHG assists those who are genuinely in need of support to enter the property market, including New Zealanders who migrate to Australia on the 444 visa.
*Even if you take advantage of other First Home Owner Grants, you can still be eligible for the First Home Guarantee Scheme.
Upcoming Changes from January 2026
As part of the re-elected Albanese Labor Government’s pledge to expand access to home ownership, the First Home Guarantee scheme will undergo significant updates starting January 2026. Key changes include:
- Property Price Cap Increase: The package cap will rise to reflect higher market values, with no overall limit on places available. For example, in Perth (and other WA capital-equivalent areas), the cap will increase from $600,000 to $850,000. Regional areas will see similar uplifts tied to state averages.
- No Income Caps: Income thresholds will be removed entirely, making the scheme open to all eligible first home buyers regardless of earnings.
- Other Expansions: The government will guarantee up to 15% of the loan to avoid LMI, potentially benefiting more buyers annually. There’s also a commitment to build new homes reserved for first home buyers.
These reforms aim to make the scheme more inclusive, but they’ll still require buyers to meet other criteria like residency and no recent property ownership. If you’re applying before January 2026, stick to the current rules—after that, it could open up options for higher-value properties in WA. Applications for the updated scheme are expected to open late 2025.
How to apply for the FHG in WA
Applying for the First Home Guarantee can be done in 3 easy steps:
- Get in touch with us and our knowledgeable team of first home buyer specialists will help check your First Home Guarantee eligibility.
- We’ll help you fill out and submit your First Home Guarantee application through a participating lender.
- Once you determine your eligibility and get your application approved, it’s time to buy or build your first home within 90 days of approval!
Home Buyers Assistance Account
The Home Buyers Assistance Account (HBAA) was created to help cover some of the costs home buyers face when purchasing their first home.
These expenses include things like valuation fees, establishment fees, mortgage registration fees, mortgage insurance premiums, conveyancing fees, and lending institution fees that may be required to buy your first home.
The grant can provide up to $2,000 to help cover these incidental costs.
HBAA eligibility requirements
HBAA applicants must meet the same criteria as the First Home Owner Grant.
According to the government of Western Australia, applicants and their spouse/partner must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a permanent resident or Australian citizen at the time of application
- Use the property as their primary place of residence for at least a year upon construction completion or settlement
- Not have previously owned a residence in WA (previous owners may qualify for a partial grant)
The property must also meet certain eligibility requirements:
- The property price must be within the $400,000 threshold
- The property must have been purchased through a licensed WA real estate agency
- The property must be financed by a lending institution
- The property must be established or at least partially built upon purchase rather than a plan outlining building intentions
- The application needs to be submitted within 90 days of contract settlement
How to apply for the HBAA in WA?
To apply for the HBAA, you need to complete section A of the Government of Western Australia’s website. This application must be sent to your lender to get pre-approved.
Applicants must also provide a copy of a final settlement statement. This will break down the costs and expenses you incurred when buying your first home.
Your lender will complete the second portion of the application and submit it for you.
First Home Owner Rate
First home buyers in WA may be eligible for a stamp duty concession under the First Home Owner Rate of Duty. The latest thresholds apply to contracts entered into on or after 21 March 2025.
FHOR eligibility requirements
Eligibility for the FHOR is aligned with the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) rules. You must meet FHOG-style criteria, even if you do not receive the grant.
To qualify as a first home buyer you must:
Be at least 18 years old
Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Live in the home as your principal place of residence for at least 6 continuous months, starting within 12 months of settlement or completion
Not buy in the name of a company or trust, unless you are a trustee buying for an individual with a legal disability
You can still qualify for FHOR even if you do not receive the FHOG if:
You would have qualified for the grant, but you bought an established home
You are an Indian Ocean Territories resident buying your first home in WA
Property value rules for 2025
There are two sets of limits to be aware of:
FHOG “cap” amounts (used to test grant eligibility)
FHOR dutiable value thresholds (used to calculate the duty concession)
You must be under both to receive FHOR.
1) FHOG cap amounts (location caps tied to the 26th parallel)
South of the 26th parallel, including all Perth metro areas: value must not exceed $750,000
North of the 26th parallel: value must not exceed $1,000,000
Note: The FHOG is only for new residential property, but these caps are still used to test FHOR eligibility.
2) FHOR dutiable value thresholds effective for contracts on or after 21 March 2025
Established or new homes (house and land):
Perth Metropolitan and Peel regions
No duty up to $500,000
Concession for $500,001 to $700,000 at $13.63 per $100 over $500,000
No FHOR above $700,000
Regional WA outside Metropolitan and Peel
No duty up to $500,000
Concession for $500,001 to $750,000 at $11.89 per $100 over $500,000
No FHOR above $750,000
Vacant land statewide:
No duty up to $350,000
Concession for $350,001 to $450,000 at $15.39 per $100 over $350,000
No FHOR above $450,000
Residence requirement
Applicants must occupy the home as their principal place of residence for at least 6 continuous months commencing within 12 months of completion or settlement. You can apply to vary this if needed.
How to apply for FHOR in WA
There are two ways to apply:
Through an approved lender using the combined FHOG and FHOR pre-approval application form.
Directly with RevenueWA using the same form. If approved, RevenueWA will issue an approval letter and a formal FHOR application form. You then lodge your completed form with your contract and other documents via your settlement agent or directly with RevenueWA.
If you have already paid full duty because your FHOG was not approved at the time, you can request a reassessment and refund once approved.
First Home Super Saver Scheme
The First Home Super Saver scheme is nationwide and offers an incentive to save through your super fund.
You can contribute up to $15,000 a year and up to a total of $30,000.
For more information on the First Home Super Saving Scheme, feel free to contact one of our first home buyer specialists with questions.
Family Home Guarantee
The Family Home Guarantee is designed to help single parents purchase a home for their family.
The Family Home Guarantee scheme is intended for single parents with at least one dependent. You may qualify for this even if you are not a first time home buyer.
Without the need to pay LMI and with a deposit of as low as 2%, the Family Home Guarantee is a great opportunity for eligible families.
From 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, the Australian government will hand out up to 5000 Family Home Guarantees.
Recently, eligibility for the Family Home Guarantee was expanded to include applicants beyond adoptive or natural parents. Now, legal guardians, including grandparents, aunts, and uncles may be eligible for the Family Home Guarantee.
Building Bonus Grant WA
The Building Bonus Grant is a one-time $20,000 incentive offered for a limited time. This is intended for Western Australians who plan to build a new home.
You are eligible to apply for the Building Bonus Grant WA if:
- You entered into a contract between 4 June 2020 and 31 December 2020 to build a new detached home on vacant land
- Or, if you entered into an off-the-plan contract between 4 June 2020 and 31 December 2020 to purchase a new home as part of a single-tier development on a strata plan or other land survey type
The Building Bonus Grant WA is different from the Australian Government Home Builder grant. You may be eligible to receive both.
If you receive one of these grants, you may also be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant.
Have questions? We know it can be tricky to navigate all the eligibility requirements.
Our first home buyer specialists are here to walk you through the entire process.
The Help to Buy Scheme
The Help to Buy scheme will help first time home buyers by eliminating the need to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) and requiring as low as a 2% deposit.
The scheme will give eligible first home buyers an “equity contribution” of up to 40% of the cost of their new home. Eligible first home buyers can also qualify for an equity contribution of up to 30% for existing homes.
It is important to note that this means the government will own an equity share of homes bought using the Help to Buy scheme. When they have enough money, homeowners can buy the equity back in the future.
Help to Buy Scheme eligibility requirements
- Must be an Australian citizen
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Your yearly income must be less than $90,000 for individuals, or less than $120,000 for couples
- You must occupy the purchased home
- You cannot own any other property or land in Australia or overseas (although it doesn’t have to be your first home)
- The purchaser must pay a 2% deposit of the home price and be able to finance the rest of the loan
- You are responsible for providing proof that you can pay all bank fees, legal fees, stamp duty, and other up-front costs
- You are responsible for all ongoing property costs (electricity bills, rates, strata, etc.)
- The property value must meet the threshold of the state and area
FAQs
No, the First Home Buyers Grant is only available for individuals who are buying or building a new home. Existing homes do not qualify.
A substantially renovated home *may* qualify as a new home, but adequate documentation is required.
While the FHOG does not apply to existing properties, you may still qualify for stamp duty exemptions.
Feeling confused or overwhelmed? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help you!
Generally, a 20% down payment is required to purchase your first home. Fortunately, many of these government schemes and grants decrease this amount.
This can make first time homeownership so much easier!
The New Home Guarantee, First Home Buyer Scheme, and Help to Buy Scheme can all help first time home buyers in WA put less money down. These schemes also eliminate the need to pay lender’s mortgage insurance (LMI).
Yes. The First Home Owner Grant offers $10,000 to eligible applicants building or buying a new home.
The home must serve as the primary place of residence for at least 6 months in the first year of building completion or settlement.
Yes, there are concessions and exemptions available through the First Home Owner Rate of Duty.
The First Home Owner Rate of Duty (FHOR) aligns with First Home Owner Grants requirements.
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