What you need to know about Queensland’s First Home Owner Grant
If you’re looking to get into the property market in Queensland, the Sunshine State’s First Home Owner Grant may be able to help.
Queensland offers one of the most generous First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) schemes of all Australian jurisdictions.
The one-time grant aims to help first home owners get into the housing market sooner, providing them with assistance to meet the many costs associated with purchasing a home.
If you’re an eligible first-time buyer planning to enter the housing market in Queensland, it’s certainly worthwhile applying. Here are the need-to-know details.
.jpg "What you need to know about Queensland’s First Home Owner Grant")
What is the Queensland First Home Owner Grant?
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) scheme is a federal government initiative introduced in 2000 to offset the effect of GST on home ownership.
Although it’s a national scheme, each state and territory is responsible for funding and administering the program. As such, each state has slightly different eligibility criteria and requirements.
Queensland’s FHOG provides first home buyers with either $30,000 or $15,000, depending on the timing of their purchase, for properties valued up to $750,000 (including land if they’re planning to build).
How do I work out how much I’m eligible for?
The amount you can receive through the First Home Owner Grant depends on when you sign the contract for your home:
- From 20 November 2023, first home owners can apply for a grant of $30,000.
- Those who signed contracts before 20 November 2023 can apply for $15,000.
For owner-builders, those dates apply to when the foundations of the home were laid.
Am I eligible for the Queensland First Home Owner Grant?
To qualify for the grant, you must be able to meet the eligibility criteria. Here’s a rundown:
| Eligibility category | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Age | Must be at least 18 years or older |
| Citizenship | Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or applying with someone who is. |
| Income | Income has no bearing on eligibility |
| Previous recipient | You or your spouse must not have previously received a first home owner grant in any state or territory. If you received a grant that you later paid back, you may be able to reapply |
| Previous home ownership | You or your spouse must not have owned residential property in Australia:That you lived in on or after 1 July 2000Before 1 July 2000, whether you lived in it or not |
| Investment properties | The grant is not available to purchase investment properties |
| Residence Requirements | Once successful, receivers of the grant must move into the property they applied with within one year of the completed transaction and must live there continuously for six months |
| Disqualifying arrangements | Even if you meet the eligibility criteria, you may not get the grant in some circumstances, including:If you enter into an arrangement to avoid requirements affecting eligibilityIf you enter into an arrangement with the sole purpose of obtaining the grant, rather than obtaining a homeIf you buy or build a home with financial help from a related person who is not eligible for the grant, who will also stay in the home or be there for long periods of time |
| Property | The property could be a house, unit, duplex, or townhouseIt must not have been lived in or sold as a place of residence at the time of its completionIt must be valued at $750,000 or less, including land and any contract variationsModular homes, kit homes, and homes in a manufactured home park could be eligibleProperties that are substantially renovated can also be considered under the grant |
The Queensland Revenue Office has an eligibility tester tool that can help identify whether your circumstances allow you to apply for the FHOG.
Applying for the Queensland First Home Owner Grant
When you need to submit your application for the grant depends on the type of property transaction you’re entering into. Here are the timeframes that need to be abided by:
- Buying a new home: You must apply within one year of taking possession of the new home and your title being registered
- Contract to build: You must apply within one year of the new home being completed
- Owner-builder: You must apply within one year of the new home being completed
You can apply for the grant in two ways: Through an approved agent (these are select banks and lending institutions) or through the Queensland Revenue Office.
First home buyers looking to simplify the process as much as possible might find the first option is the way to go. If you’re applying through a lender, it will confirm your eligibility for the grant and manage your application.
If you’ve signed a building contract or you’re applying as an owner-builder, you’ll need to apply through the Queensland Revenue Office. This can be done online using the Office’s web portal.
What documents do I need to apply?
When you submit for the grant online, you will need to provide several documents to support your application. You’ll need to provide one document from each of the following categories:
| Proof of Identity | Examples |
|---|---|
| Category 1 | Australian birth certificate |
| Australian passport | |
| Australian citizenship certificate | |
| Current passport or ImmiCard and visa | |
| Titre de Voyage | |
| Category 2 | Australian driver’s licence |
| Australian firearm licence | |
| Australian proof of age card | |
| Passport | |
| Category 3 | Medicare card |
| Car registration | |
| Debit or credit card | |
| Concession card | |
| Veteran card | |
| Category 4 | Utility bill (electricity, gas) |
| Bank statement | |
| Home insurance policy |
If you’ve changed your name or marital status, you’ll also need to provide the following:
- Change of name certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce certificate
- Any document that is evidence of another change in status (e.g. death, separation)
Specific documents for those who receive financial help
If you’ve received financial help to purchase the home, you will also need:
- A statutory declaration from each applicant with a description of the financial help received or expected, including details of amounts owing or gifted and the applicant’s relationship with the provider
- A copy of the financial arrangement (i.e. a loan agreement or deed), if the agreement is in writing
Specific documents for those buying new homes (including off the plan homes)
- Contract signed and dated by the seller and applicants
- Registration confirmation statement or current title search showing applicants as registered owners
- Final inspection certificate or certificate of occupancy
If you’re purchasing a new home, you must also provide a vendor statement from the seller confirming the home has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence.
Specific documents for those buying substantially renovated homes
- Contract signed and dated by the seller and applicants
- Registration confirmation statement or current title search that shows the applicants as the registered owners
- Tax invoice that shows the GST component of the home purchase price
- A statement from the seller confirming the sale of the home was taxable under the GST Act and was sold in the course of the seller’s business
- A statement confirming the home has not been sold or occupied as a place of residence since the renovations
- A statement outlining the type and extent of the renovations
Specific documents for those entering a contract to build
- Contract signed and dated by the seller and applicants
- Registration confirmation statement or current title search that shows the applicants as the registered owners
- Final inspection certificate issued by local council or private building certifier
- One of the following, dated no more than 12 months from the date of contract to build – independent valuation or market appraisal; stamped contract to purchase vacant land; stamped Titles Queensland Form 1 Transfer
Specific documents for owner-builders
- Registration confirmation statement or current title search that shows the applicants as the registered owners (available from Titles Queensland)
- First inspection certificate that shows the build’s commencement date (the date the footings or foundations were certified), issued by your local council or private building certifier
- Completed owner-builder cost summary annexure
- Copies of receipts equal to the grant amount
- Independent third-party valuation or market appraisal of the home dated on or after the completion of the eligible transaction
- Final inspection certificate issued by your local council or private building certifier
- One of the following, dated no more than 12 months from the date the foundations are laid, showing the value of the land as at commencement date of the build – independent valuation or market appraisal; stamped contract to purchase vacant land; stamped Titles Queensland Form 1 Transfer
When will the Queensland First Home Owner Grant be paid?
The timeframe for the payment of the grant depends on your property transaction and how you applied.
If you’re applying through your lender, you will receive the grant in the following situations:
- When buying a home, including off-the-plan purchases: You will receive the grant at settlement
- For contracts to build your new home: You will receive the grant on the first drawdown of funds
- When building your home as an owner-builder: You will receive the grant on receipt of a final inspection certificate
However, the timing may be different if you apply directly to the Queensland Revenue Office:
- The grant will not be paid until the home is complete and you have supplied all the supporting documents
- You will get paid when you have a registration confirmation statement of title search showing your name on the title of the property
- When building your home, your grant will be paid when you have a final inspection certificate
Frequently Asked Questions about the Queensland FHOG
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Queensland’s First Home Owner Grant:
Can I use the grant as a home loan deposit?
Although you can technically use it as a home loan deposit, chances are you won’t have it when you need to hand over your deposit.
The grant is paid at varying times depending on how and when you apply or whether you’re building or buying. This means it’s not ideal to use as a home loan deposit.
It’s highly recommended to have your own saved funds for this purpose.
Will my income impact my application for the grant?
No, your income will not impact your application for the grant.
Queensland’s FHOG is not means tested and does not have any income-related eligibility requirements.
When applying for the grant with a partner, will each of us be able to receive the grant?
The grant is payable per transaction.
This means that two first home buyers involved with the purchase of a single property will only be eligible for one grant.
Can I still apply for the grant even if I have property overseas?
You will still be eligible for the grant even if you own a property overseas, provided you have never owned a property in Australia.
Are there any additional incentives or concessions available for first-home buyers in Queensland?
Yes, on top of the FHOG, you may be eligible for other incentives and concessions, including a reduction in stamp duty for eligible properties and the First Home Vacant Land Concession, which offers a partial exemption or reduction of transfer duty for vacant land intended for building a first home.
Can the FHOG be combined with other government grants or schemes?
Yes, the FHOG can usually be combined with other government grants or schemes, such as the federal government Home Guarantee Scheme or the First Home Super Saver Scheme.
It’s crucial, however, to check the specific requirements and conditions of each program to ensure your eligibility and assess any potential limitations.
Is there a deadline for applying for the FHOG?
There is no specific deadline for applying for the FHOG in Queensland.
However, your application must be submitted at specific timeframes according to your property transaction.
Where can I find a home loan tailored specifically for first home buyers?
Our first home buyer loans page features some of the lowest interest rates on the market for first home buyers as well as helpful tips and expert advice.
Image by Evie Ge on Unsplash
What is a Contract of Sale?
Updated on 28 Aug 2025
‘Contract of sale’ is one of those real estate terms you hear thrown about all the time, but what exactly is it?ON THIS PAGEWhat is a contract of sale?How is the contract finalised?What property buyers need to know about the contract of saleWhat sellers need to know about a contract of saleContract of sale by state
Technically anyone who buys anything enters a contract of sale with the seller. While the terms of the contract might be implicit if you’re buying a chocolate bar, the seller still has obligations to you, the buyer, under Australian Consumer Law.
When it comes to something as complicated as property transactions, these terms need to be explicit. They also need to be laid out in what is known as a contract of sale.
What is a contract of sale?
A contract of sale outlines the specifics of a property transaction.
It is one of the most important legal documents involved in the conveyancing process and is mandatory for all property transactions in Australia.
Read more: Conveyancing checklist for Buyers and Sellers
Who prepares a contract of sale?
Generally, the contract of sale is prepared by a conveyancer or a solicitor.
If the property is being sold through a private sale treaty rather than auction, the seller needs to have the contract of sale ready before the property is advertised.
After a buyer and seller agree upon a sale, the contract will be amended to include details of the buyer and the sale price.
The buyer or their conveyancing agent will also go through the contract of sale before signing. In some cases, they might make amendments to the document before it’s made official.
What’s in a contract of sale?
In general, a completed contract of sale will contain the following:
- The name of the buyer and the seller, as well as the agents, conveyancers, and/or solicitors engaged
- The date of settlement and the cooling off period
- Details about the property (its address, for instance)
- Any of the property’s fixtures (things like dishwashers or built in ovens that cannot be removed) and fittings (things that aren’t fixed like curtains). Fixtures are generally assumed to be included in the sale while fittings are excluded. If there are exceptions (curtains are included in the sale, for example), this must be specified in the contract.
- Any special conditions, such as a ‘subject to finance’ clause
In some states, a contract of sale must be accompanied by a statement disclosing other details about the title of the property.
These details might include:
- Outstanding mortgages
- Covenants
- Easements
- Zoning
- Outgoings
- A declaration of whether the property is in a bushfire prone area
In the market for a low-rate home loan?
Check out some of the most competitive home loan deals available to property purchases right now.
| Lender | Interest Rate | Comparison Rate* | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.29% p.a. | 5.33% p.a. | Owner OccupierVariablePrincipal & Interest10% Min DepositRedrawExtra Repayments | Available for purchase or refinance, min 10% deposit needed to qualify.No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.Dedicated loan specialist throughout the loan application. | More details | Compare | Promoted | Disclosure | ||
| 5.24% p.a. | 5.15% p.a. | Built and funded by CommBankOwner OccupierVariablePrincipal & Interest20% Min DepositRedraw | A low-rate variable home loan from a 100% online lender.Backed by the Commonwealth Bank. | More details | Compare | Disclosure | |||
| 5.39% p.a. | 5.43% p.a. | Owner OccupierVariablePrincipal & Interest10% Min DepositOffsetRedrawExtra Repayments | Available for purchase or refinance, min 10% deposit needed to qualify.No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.Quick and easy online application process. | More details | Compare | Promoted | Disclosure |
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning
How is the contract finalised?
Once the buyer and seller have exchanged contracts and finalised the details, the contract will be signed. This is considered a formal offer to purchase.
At this point, the contract becomes legally binding. Although, in most cases there will be a ‘cooling off period’ during which the buyer can renege on the deal.
In some states a cooling off period is mandatory, while in others it’s an optional clause.
What property buyers need to know about the contract of sale
The terms of the sale are added into the contract of sale once a price is agreed upon.
The buyer or an agent acting on their behalf will review the contract, potentially making amendments, before signing.
Can a buyer cancel a contract of sale?
In general, a buyer cannot renege on a contract of sale once it is signed. Even if issues are uncovered later, the contract is likely still valid.
For that reason, buyers should use the cooling off period to their advantage, undertaking rigorous inspections to ensure the condition of the property.
Though, there are instances in which a buyer may have grounds to cancel a contract of sale:
- Property not as described
Typically, issues uncovered after the cooling off period expires won’t be grounds to cancel a contract of sale. Though, there may be grounds for cancelation in cases in which the condition of the property differs materially from how it was described in the contract. For example, in Victoria, if a seller misrepresents certain details concerning the property in a Section 32 statement, it could be grounds to invalidate the contract. - Finance unsuccessful (if subject to finance)
Many contracts of sale have a ‘subject to finance’ clause. That clause can void the sale in the case the buyer is unsuccessful in getting a home loan. If you are buying property and are not pre-approved for finance, this clause is extremely important to include. Without it, if you are turned down for the loan you need, you could still be legally required to buy the property, and may be open to a lawsuit from the seller if you cannot afford it.
What sellers need to know about a contract of sale
The seller or representatives of the seller will generally prepare the contract of sale before the property is listed.
Each state has its own requirements on what details that the vendor needs to offer up within the contract. You’ll need to make sure you are meeting all your obligations if you are selling.
In some states, you might need to provide extra documentation outlining further information about the property along with the contract of sale.
Can a seller cancel a contract of sale?
Once signed by both parties, a contract of sale is legally binding.
There are some circumstances where a buyer may be able to renege on the deal. But, in general, once the buyer signs they have an obligation to follow through.
As a seller, if a buyer doesn’t fulfil the terms of the contract, you may be able to take legal action to recoup losses you incur as a result.
Contract of sale by state
Each state and territory has its own particular rules surrounding the process of buying and selling properties, as the table below shows. In general, the cooling off period will not apply if the property is sold at auction.
