First Home Buyers Grant QLD | Rules, Eligibility & Amount

If you’re trying to buy your first home in Queensland, the first home buyers grant can feel like the difference between “one day” and “we’re doing this now”. But the rules can be confusing, especially when partners, investment properties and residency requirements are involved.

In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly what the First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is in QLD, how much you can get, who qualifies, and answer the big questions first-time buyers are Googling, including why applications get rejected and how long you need to live in the home before renting it out.

What is the First Home Buyers Grant?

In Queensland, it is officially called the First Home Owners Grant (FHOG), often also referred to informally as the First Home Buyers Grant. It’s a one-off payment from the Queensland Government to help eligible first-time buyers purchase or build a new home to live in.(Queensland Revenue Office)

Key points:

It’s only available for new homes (including newly built houses, townhouses, units, off-the-plan purchases and some substantially renovated homes).
There is no grant for buyers of established (second-hand) homes in QLD.(Queensland Government)
It’s a once-only benefit – you can’t receive the FHOG more than once anywhere in Australia.(Hallmark Homes)

How much is the First Home Owner Grant in QLD?

As at November 2025,the FHOG for eligible new home purchases or builds in Queensland is:

$30,000 – for contracts signed (or foundations laid for owner-builders) between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026 (inclusive)
$15,000 – for eligible transactions before 20 November 2023, and expected to revert back to $15,000 for transactions after 30 June 2026

In addition, your new home must be valued at less than $750,000, including the land and any contract variations.(Queensland Government)

So when people ask “How much is the first home owner grant?”, in Queensland right now the answer is usually $30,000 – as long as you meet the timing, property value and eligibility rules.

First Home Owner Grant QLD: Who is Eligible?

The Queensland Revenue Office sets out clear criteria for the first home owner grant QLD. In simple terms, you and your partner must be genuine first-time homeowners who will live in the property as your home.(Queensland Revenue Office)

You may be eligible if:

You’re at least 18 years old.
You’re a natural person (not a company or trust).
You or your partner are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
You and your partner have never received a First Home Owners Grant anywhere in Australia.
You and your partner have not previously owned residential property in Australia that you’ve lived in as your principal place of residence on or after 1 July 2000, and did not own any residential property before that date.
You’re buying or building a new home valued under $750,000 (including land and variations).
You intend to live in the home as your principal place of residence and meet the residency requirements (more on that below).

If any person who will hold a legal interest in the property doesn’t meet these criteria, that can affect your eligibility, especially when it comes to spouses and de facto partners.

Can I Get the First Home Owner Grant if My Partner Already Owns a Home?

This is one of the most common and most misunderstood questions.
The FHOG rules in Queensland apply a “spouse test”. That means when the Queensland Revenue Office checks eligibility, they look at you and your spouse or de facto partner together, even if only one of you is applying.(Queensland Revenue Office)
In general:

If your partner owns or has owned a home they have lived in as their principal place of residence in Australia on or after 1 July 2000, you will not be eligible for the FHOG, even if they’re not going on the application.
If your partner has only ever owned an investment property they have never lived in, you may still be eligible. The key question is whether either of you has previously owned and occupied a residential property, not simply whether you’ve owned one.
If your partner has previously received a FHOG in any state or territory, you will not qualify for another one as a couple.

Because the details can be nuanced (especially where inherited or jointly owned property is involved), it’s always wise to:

Check your circumstances using the QRO eligibility tester; and (Queensland Revenue Office)
Call the Queensland Revenue Office or speak with your lender/broker before assuming you’re eligible.

Do I Need to Live in the Property to Receive the First Home Owner Grant?

Yes – the first home owner grant is for owner-occupiers, not investors.
To keep the grant, all applicants must:(Queensland Government Publications)

Move into the home within 12 months of completion or settlement; and
Live in it as their principal place of residence for at least 6 continuous months.

Your “principal place of residence” means the home where you genuinely live, not somewhere you just use occasionally.
You’ll also need to be able to prove you lived there, if asked. That might include:

Electoral roll records
Utility bills in your name
Driver’s licence address
Bank statements showing day-to-day spending from that address

Failing to meet the residency requirement can lead to the grant being clawed back, plus possible penalties.

How Long Do I Need to Live in My Home Before Renting it Out?

In Queensland, the key requirement is:

Live in the home for at least 6 continuous months, starting within 12 months of completion/settlement.(Queensland Government Publications)
Once you’ve met that requirement, you’re generally free to:

Move out and rent the property to tenants, or
Use it as an investment property, or
Sell it, if that suits your strategy

A couple of important cautions:

Because the FHOG and the first home concession are separate, renting the home out before you move in may impact your stamp duty concession, even if you can still meet the FHOG residency requirement.
Don’t move in only “on paper”. The QRO can and does audit FHOG recipients. If it looks like you’ve only pretended to live there (for example, you’ve stayed a few weeks but kept your life elsewhere), you risk having to repay the grant.(Which Real Estate Agent)

If you’re planning to rent out a room while you live there (e.g. to a flatmate), that may be allowed, but it can have tax implications, particularly later with capital gains tax. Always get personalised advice from your accountant before going down that path.

Why Was My First Home Owner Grant Application Rejected?

A rejected FHOG application is stressful, but it’s also quite common, and in many cases, fixable.

Some of the most frequent reasons FHOG applications are declined or delayed include:(Queensland Revenue Office)

1. Previous ownership or grant history
  You (or your partner) have previously:
  – Owned and lived in a residential property in Australia; or
  – Received a FHOG in another state or territory.
2. Property doesn’t meet “new home” rules
  – The property is an established home that’s been lived in or sold as a place of residence before.
  – The dwelling doesn’t qualify as a “substantially renovated” home under the rules.
3. Value over the $750,000 cap
  – The combined value of the land, build and variations exceeds $750,000.
4. Residency requirement not met (or can’t be demonstrated)
  – You don’t move in within 12 months.
  – You can’t show that you actually lived there for 6 continuous months.
5. Incomplete or incorrect paperwork
  – Missing contracts, ID, citizenship/residency evidence or build documents.
  – Using a builder without the appropriate licence number.
  – Errors in dates, names or contract details.
6. Lodged too late or in the wrong way
  – Applications usually need to be lodged within 12 months of completion/settlement.
  – In some cases, applications lodged directly with QRO take longer or are sent without full documentation.

If your FHOG application is rejected, you can often:

Resubmit with the correct documents, or
Appeal the decision through the Queensland Revenue Office if you believe an error has been made.

Your mortgage broker or lender can be a great ally in helping you understand what went wrong and how to fix it.

FHOG Myths First-Time Buyers Still Believe

There’s a lot of misinformation floating around about the first home buyers grant. Here are some myths we regularly hear from Queensland buyers – and the reality behind them.

Myth 1: “I can use the grant on any first home, new or old.”

Reality: In Queensland, the FHOG is only available for new homes (including new builds, off-the-plan purchases and qualifying substantial renovations). Established homes don’t qualify.

Myth 2: “My partner’s property history doesn’t matter if they don’t apply.”

Reality: The QRO looks at both you and your spouse/partner. If your partner has previously owned and lived in a home, or received a FHOG, there’s a strong chance that neither of you will qualify, even if only one name goes on the grant application.

Myth 3: “If I get the grant, I have to live in the home forever.”

Reality: You don’t need to live there forever. You just need to:

Move in within 12 months, and
Live there for at least 6 continuous months as your principal place of residence.

After that, you’re allowed to move out, rent it out, or sell – subject of course to your loan conditions and any tax considerations.

Myth 4: “The FHOG is applied automatically when I buy.”

Reality: The grant is not automatic. You must apply either through:

An approved lender or broker (often the fastest route); or
Directly through the Queensland Revenue Office with the FHOG application form and supporting documents.

How to Apply for the First Home Owner Grant in Queensland

Here’s a simple overview of the process:

1. Check your eligibility
  – Use the Queensland Revenue Office’s online eligibility tools and read their criteria carefully.
2. Choose your property and sign the contract
  – Make sure it’s a new home under $750,000, and that your contract dates fall within the correct period for the grant amount you’re expecting.
3. Decide how to lodge your FHOG application
  – Through your lender or broker, many banks act as approved agents and can lodge on your behalf (often resulting in faster assessment).
  – Directly with QRO, either online or via mail, using the official FHOG application form.
4. Gather your documents
  Typically, you’ll need:
  – Identification (e.g. passport, driver’s licence)
  – Proof of citizenship or permanent residency
  – A full copy of the purchase or building contract
  – Evidence of completion (for builds)
  – Evidence of name changes, if applicable
  – Any additional documents requested by QRO or your lender
5. Lodge your application within 12 months
  For most applicants, the grant is paid at or after settlement or completion, depending on how you lodge.
6. Move in and keep evidence of your residency
  – Update your address on key records (licence, electoral roll, utilities, bank accounts)
  – Keep documentation in case QRO asks you to prove that you met the 6-month continuous residency requirement.

Final Thoughts

The first home owner grant can be a powerful boost towards owning your first home in Queensland, especially while the grant is temporarily increased to $30,000 for eligible new homes. But it’s crucial to understand:

What is the first home buyers grant (and what it’s not)
Exactly how much you’re entitled to based on your timing
How your partner’s property history affects your eligibility
The residency rules you must follow before renting the place out
The common traps that lead to rejected applications

Before you sign a contract or lodge your FHOG application, it’s always worth:

Checking the latest rules on the Queensland Revenue Office website
Talking to an experienced mortgage broker
Getting tailored advice from a buyers agent and/or accountant if your situation is complex (e.g. existing investments, inheritance, or a partner who already owns property)

That way, you can confidently structure your purchase to make the most of the First Home Owners Grant QLD and avoid any unpleasant surprises down the track.

How Streamline Property Buyers Guides Your Brisbane First Home Purchase

At Streamline Property Buyers, one of Brisbane’s most awarded buyers agents, your goals come first. Whether you’re buying your first home or an investment property, we provide expert guidance every step of the way:

Identifying the right property based on your goals, budget, and FHOG eligibility
Preparing competitive offers and negotiating terms for the best outcome
Accessing off-market opportunities for exclusive options
Safeguarding your interests throughout the contract, settlement, and FHOG application process

Our team’s personalized approach ensures you can buy with confidence, reduce stress, and make decisions that align with your long-term property and investment goals.

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First Home Buyers Grant in Queensland: Rules, Amounts & Eligibility Explained