Congratulations, you're about to buy your first home! Not only are you about to become a home owner, but each state government has a number of financial schemes and grants available to you. Since each state and territory has its own first home owner scheme, we're going to dive into each one and how much money you can expect to receive back (if you're eligible).

If you need help or just someone to talk to, our Sonder support team is available 24/7 to chat whenever you need it.

The ACT introduced the 'Home Buyer Concession Scheme' in 2019 to replace the now-obsolete 'First Home Owner Grant'. Under the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, new home buyers - you don't necessarily have to be a first home buyer to qualify, you just can't be a current homeowner - will be entitled to a full (capped at $34,970) or reduced duty concession.

The amount of reduced stamp duty you are entitled to is dependent on the income threshold of you or your household, and the number of dependent children you have.

To see if you're eligible, which income threshold you fit into, or if you want to apply, head over to the ACT Revenue Office's website here.

For first home buyers looking at buying an existing property, you may be eligible for the First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme where you're entitled to a concessional rate or an exemption of transfer duty. Under the new 'First Home Buyer Choice' change to the scheme, first home buyers purchasing properties for up to $1.5 million will be able to choose to pay an annual property tax instead of stamp duty. The property tax will only be payable by first home buyers who choose it, and will not apply to subsequent purchasers of a property.

If the home is brand new, then you may be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant, where you can receive $10,000 towards the purchase price, in addition to the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme benefits.

The NT has a number of grants and schemes available to first home buyers:

Queensland has its own First Home Owners Grant, which allows eligible individuals to receive a $15,000 grant towards buying or building a new house, unit or townhouse (valued at less than $750,000).

It's important to note that a new home here means a place that has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence, including a substantially renovated home.

To see if you're eligible, head over to the QLD government website here.

South Australia has its own First Home Owners Grant, which allows eligible individuals to receive a $15,000 grant towards buying or building a new house, unit or townhouse (valued at less than $575,000).

It's important to note that a new home here means a place that has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence, including a substantially renovated home.

To see if you're eligible, head over to the SA government website here.

Tasmania has has a number of grants and schemes available to first home buyers:

It's important to note that a new home here means a place that has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence, including a substantially renovated home.

Victoria has its own First Home Owners Grant, which allows eligible individuals to receive a $10,000 grant towards buying or building a new house, unit or townhouse (valued up to $750,000).

It's important to note that a new home here means a place that has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence, including a substantially renovated home.

To see if you're eligible, head over to the Victoria government website here.

Australia has its own First Home Owners Grant, which allows eligible individuals to receive a $10,000 grant towards buying or building their first new home.

It's important to note that a new home here means a place that has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence. A substantially renovated home may be considered a new depending on the discretion of the Commissioner.

To see if you're eligible, head over to the WA government website here.

If you have any questions or need extra support, we're here to help you anytime in any language. Simply start a chat with us via the home screen of the Sonder app.

Information sourced from: Firsthome.gov

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