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Frequently Asked Questions:
First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

General Information

What is the purpose of the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)?
The Grant is designed to assist eligible first home buyers offset the impact of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on home prices.

What is the definition of a home?
A home is a building, permanently affixed to the land that may lawfully be used as a principal place of residence, such as a newly constructed or established home, townhouse, villa, unit etc.

What type of home qualifies for the Grant?
The home must be:

	-	situated in the Northern Territory; and
	-	is, in the Commissioner's opinion, a suitable building for use as a place of residence.

Who is eligible for the Grant?
To be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant, all applicants must satisfy the following eligibility criteria:

 

	-	each applicant and their spouse/defacto (includes same sex partners) can not have received a grant under the First Home Owner Grant Act 2000 or under a corresponding law of another state or territory of Australia;
	-	each applicant and their spouse/defacto (includes same sex partners) can not have owned an interest in residential property prior to 1 July 2000, in any state or territory of Australia;
	-	each applicant and their spouse/defacto (includes same sex partners) can not have owned an interest in and occupied residential property (other than the property to which an application relates), on or after 1 July 2000, in any state or territory of Australia;
	-	each applicant must be a natural person (not a company) not acting as an agent or trustee (except for a person with a legal disability). Each applicant must be at least 18 years of age or applying with a person who is. The Commissioner has the discretion to exempt a person from this criterion where genuine circumstances exist;
	-	at least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or a  permanent resident (includes a New Zealand citizen who is the holder of a special category visa) or applying with a person who is; and
	-	each applicant must take occupancy of the home as their principal place of residence within twelve (12) months of either settlement or completion of construction and reside there for a continuous period of not less than six (6) months.
		In special circumstances, the Commissioner may extend the period for commencing occupation, reduce the six (6) month period of occupancy (but not waive it entirely) or where there is two or more applicants, exempt one from the occupancy requirements.

and they must have on or after 1 July 2000:

	-	entered into a contract to purchase, or agreement for the purchase of, a home in the Northern Territory;
	-	entered into a comprehensive building contract to have a home built on their land in the Northern Territory; or
	-	in the case of an owner builder, commenced construction (laying of foundations) of a home on their land in the Northern Territory.

How much is the Grant?
$7000 or, the consideration paid to buy or build the home if less than $7000. For example, if you buy or build a home for $5000, your Grant will be for that amount.

What is ‘consideration’?
The term consideration may be defined according to the following:

	-	For the purchase of a home, it refers to the amount paid for the transaction.
	-	For a comprehensive home building contract, it refers to the total amount paid for the building work.
	-	For an owner-builder, it refers to the actual costs to the owner, not including costs for the builder’s own labour.

Can I use the Grant as part of the deposit on my home?
No. The Grant is not paid until the settlement date if you apply through an Approved FHOG Agent or, after settlement if you apply through Territory Revenue Office.

Does the Grant apply to renovations to an existing home?
No. Renovations, of any kind, do not qualify for the Grant.

If people buy a home together and neither has owned a home before, can they get more than one grant?
No. Only one Grant is payable for the same eligible transaction. This means that where two or more persons jointly purchase or build their first home, in which they will all reside as their principal place of residence, only one Grant will be paid.

If I receive the Grant, will it affect my eligibility for other home concessions or assistance?
No. You may still be eligible for other home concessions or assistance. For further information, please click here.

Will my/our income affect the Grant?
No, the Grant is not means tested. Applicants’ income is not taken into consideration when assessing applications.

Will the value of my new home affect my eligibility?
No. There is no valuation ceiling on the home you purchase or the home you build.

If I run a business from home, will I be eligible for the Grant?
Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.

I purchased my first home without a loan and intend to live in it as my principal place of residence. Will I be eligible for the Grant?
Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. The Grant is not means tested and is not conditional upon receiving financial assistance.

What happens when my circumstances change?
You must advise the Commissioner of Territory Revenue in writing within 30 days of your circumstances changing if you are not able to comply with any of the requirements. For example, if you are not able to reside in the home within twelve (12) months either after the settlement date or the completion of construction.

How will the Government know if I have owned a home in Australia before, signed a contract to purchase or build my own home, or made any declarations that are not true?
The Commissioner of Territory Revenue has the authority, at any time after an application for the Grant is lodged, to authorise an investigation. Applicants need to be aware that the penalty for making a false statement on an application is two (2) years imprisonment.

Spouse

Who is a spouse?
A spouse is someone you are either legally married to or are in a de facto relationship with, at the time of making an application.

Who is a de facto?
A de facto is a person (of the same or opposite sex) to whom you are not married but with whom you have a marriage-like relationship at the time of making an application.

When is a spouse considered an ex-spouse?
When the spouse is no longer legally married or in the de facto relationship.

Spouse and Relevant Interest

My ex-spouse owned a home whilst we were married, will I still be eligible for the Grant?
If you were not registered as an owner of that home, your eligibility will not be affected.

My current spouse owned a home prior to 1 July 2000, will I still be eligible for the Grant?
No. If your current spouse previously owned a home then you are not eligible.

If I am married and my spouse previously owned a home solely or together with another person after 1 July 2000, would I still be eligible for the Grant?
If your spouse purchased the home after 1 July 2000 and did not reside in the home, you may still be eligible for the Grant.

Eligible Transaction

What is an eligible transaction?

An eligible transaction is:

	-	a contract made on or after 1 July 2000 for the purchase of a home;
	-	a comprehensive home building contract made on or after 1 July 2000; or
	-	in the case of an owner-builder, building work on the home is to begin on or after 1 July 2000

What is considered to be the commencement date of an eligible transaction?

	-	For the purchase of a home, it is the date when the contract is made.
	-	For a comprehensive home building contract, it is the date when the contract is made.
	-	For an owner-builder, it is the date when building commences, ie. when the foundation for the home is laid.

What is considered to be the completion date of an eligible transaction?

	-	For the purchase of a home, it is the date when the purchaser becomes entitled to possession of the home under the contract and has obtained registered title to the land on which the home is situated.
	-	For a comprehensive home building contract, it is the date that the building is ready for occupation as a place of residence.
	-	For an owner-builder, it is the date when the building is ready for occupation as a place of residence.

Residence Requirement

How long do I have to live in the home for?
You must take occupancy of the home within twelve (12) months of completion of the eligible transaction, or a longer period if approved by the Commissioner of Territory Revenue, and reside there for a continuous period of not less than six (6) months. In special cases (ie. job transfers), the Commissioner may waive the requirement to reside in the home for this period.

After purchasing the home, the vendor wishes to rent the home back for three (3) months from the date of settlement. If I occupy the home after this time and I have not applied for the Grant, will I still be eligible?
Yes, providing that all other eligibility criteria is met and an application is made within twelve (12) months from the completion of the eligible transaction.

The vendor wishes to rent the home back for twelve (12) months from the date of settlement. If I occupy the home after this time, will I be eligible for the Grant?
No. You must take occupancy of the home within twelve (12) months from the date of settlement. However, in special circumstances the Commissioner of Territory Revenue may, on request, extend the period required for occupation beyond twelve (12) months.

I purchase a home with the intention of living in it but I have just received a work transfer overseas or interstate. However, I intend to live in the property upon my return in 24 months. Am I eligible for the Grant?
You must reside in the home within twelve (12) months from the date of settlement. The Commissioner of Territory Revenue may in special circumstances however, on request, extend the period required for occupation beyond the required twelve (12) months.

Vacant Land

If I own vacant land that was purchased before 1 July 2000, will I be eligible for the Grant?
Yes. Owning vacant land will not affect your eligibility before or after 1 July 2000.

If I own land and allow my children to build on it, will they be eligible for the Grant?
Yes. Providing permission is given to them to build and occupy the home as their principal place of residence and they meet all the eligibility criteria.

I have purchased a block of land and intend to build a home on this land sometime in the future. Can I apply for the Grant now?
No. You are not entitled to the Grant unless you entered into a comprehensive building contract to have a home built on the land or, if you are an owner-builder, you have commenced construction of the home.

Caravan and Transportable Homes

If I purchase a transportable home to erect on a vacant block of land and use it as my principal place of residence, will I be eligible for the Grant?
Yes, provided the home is affixed to the land and may lawfully be used as a place of residence. The transaction is deemed to commence on the date the contract to purchase the transportable home is made and is completed when the transportable home is ready for occupation as a place of residence.

Will I be eligible for the Grant if I intend to purchase and live in a caravan?
No. If the caravan is situated in a caravan park and you do not have a relevant interest in the land, you will not be eligible for the Grant.

Relevant Interests - Other scenarios

I own commercial properties but have never owned residential property. Will I still qualify for the Grant if I purchase a home?
Yes. Commercial property is not recognised as residential property.

I previously received an interest in a home, as a beneficiary under a will, am I still eligible for the Grant?
If you obtained your interest prior to 1 July 2000, you are ineligible for the Grant because you have held a previous relevant interest. However, if you obtained your interest after 1 July 2000 and you have not occupied the home as your principal place of residence, you may still be eligible for the Grant.

I have previously owned a home in another state or territory, but I am purchasing my first home in the Northern Territory, am I eligible for the Grant?
No. You are only eligible if you have not previously owned a home anywhere in Australia.

Legal Disability

I own a home, however, I intend to purchase a home as trustee or guardian for my child who suffers a legal disability. Will my child be eligible for the Grant?
The home must be held on trust exclusively for the child. The trustee or guardian may make an application on behalf of the child however, the child is considered to be the applicant and must meet the eligibility criteria to receive the Grant.

I intend to purchase a home as trustee for a person with a legal disability. Who must reside in the home?
Since the person with the legal disability will be considered the applicant, s/he must live in the home as their principal place of residence to be eligible for the Grant.

Payment of Grant

When will the Grant be paid?
The date of payment will depend on the type of transaction and with whom your application is lodged.

Type of transaction	Application through Approved FHOG Agent	Application through Territory Revenue Office
Purchasing a home	At settlement	When your name is registered on the title
Purchasing a home under a terms contract	Not applicable	When you are in possession of the property and instalments (excluding the deposit) of at least $7000 have been paid
Contract to build a home	When the foundations have been laid and progress payments (excluding the deposit) totalling at least $7000 has been paid	When the foundations have been laid and progress payments (excluding the deposit) of at least $7000 has been paid
Owner builder	When construction of the home has been completed	When construction of the home has been completed

Do I have to spend the Grant on my home?
No. If you are eligible for the Grant, the use of the grant funds is at the discretion of the applicant(s).

Lodgement of an Application

Where can I obtain the application forms?

• - from an Approved FHOG Agent;
• - from the Territory Revenue Office; or
• - by clicking here.

Where can I lodge the application form?

• - through an Approved FHOG Agent if seeking finance; or
• - with the Territory Revenue Office.

Is there a time limit to lodge an application?
Yes, the application must be submitted within twelve (12) months of the completion of the eligible transaction.

Objection and Appeal

If my application for the Grant has been rejected, can I have the decision reviewed?
Yes. If you are unhappy with the decision, you must submit your request for review as an objection in writing to Territory Revenue Office within 60 days from the date on which notice of the decision is given. Your request for review should set out in detail the grounds of the objection.

If I am unhappy with the outcome of the objection, can I appeal the decision?
Yes. You may have the decision treated as an appeal to the Local Court.