First Home Owner Grant WA: 2026 Guide

What is the First Home Owner Grant in WA?

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a one-off $10,000 payment from the Western Australian State Government to help eligible first home buyers purchase or build a new residential property. You don't repay it, and there's no interest. It's paid at settlement for a purchase, or at the first progress draw for a construction loan.

The grant has been $10,000 since 2017 and hasn't changed. What has changed is the stamp duty concessions that sit alongside it, and the property cap: effective 7 May 2026, the maximum eligible property value for Perth and south of the 26th parallel increased from $750,000 to $800,000. Most guides published before that date show the old figure.

Who qualifies for the FHOG?

To be eligible for the $10,000 WA First Home Owner Grant in 2026, both you and the property must meet all of the following. This is the current position as at June 2026, after the property value cap rose to $800,000 on 7 May 2026.

• A new home, not an established one. The grant covers newly built homes, off-the-plan purchases, owner-builder construction, and substantially renovated homes. A previously lived-in home does not qualify at any price.
• Total property value within the cap. House and land combined must not exceed $800,000 south of the 26th parallel (Perth metro), or $1,000,000 north of it.
• Aged 18 or over at the time of application
• An Australian citizen or permanent resident (at least one applicant must qualify; both must if applying jointly)
• Never previously owned a residential property in Australia (either individually or as a couple)
• Never previously received the First Home Owner Grant in any Australian state or territory
• Intending to occupy the property as your principal place of residence within 12 months of completion, for a minimum continuous period of six months

What counts as a qualifying property?

The grant applies only to new residential properties. This includes:

• A newly constructed home purchased for the first time
• An off-the-plan apartment or house purchased before or during construction
• A home you build yourself as an owner-builder
• A house and land package (the grant is paid at the first construction progress draw, not at land settlement)
• A home that has undergone substantial renovation (contact Revenue WA for what qualifies under this category)

Does the FHOG apply to established homes?

No. This is the most common misconception. The WA First Home Owner Grant is for new construction only. If you're buying an established home (one that's been previously occupied), you're not eligible for the $10,000 FHOG regardless of the purchase price.

Buying established doesn't mean you miss out on all government support, though. First home buyers purchasing established properties in WA may still be eligible for:

• Stamp duty concessions: no stamp duty on properties up to $500,000 (current law from 21 March 2025), with concessional rates between $500,001 and $700,000 (Metropolitan and Peel). A May 2026 proposal would lift these to $600,000 and $800,000, subject to legislation. Applies to both new and established homes.
• First Home Guarantee (federal): purchase with a 5% deposit and no lenders mortgage insurance. Available for both new and established homes. Unlimited places, no income caps, and no waiting list as of the current scheme settings.
• Keystart: WA Government lender with a 2% minimum deposit and no LMI. Available for eligible first home buyers on new and established properties.

On a $560,000 established home, the stamp duty saving alone is worth approximately $16,000-$17,000. That's more than the FHOG on its own.

Property value caps: Perth and regional WA

The total value of your home and land must fall within the following caps to qualify for the FHOG:

Location	Maximum property value
Perth metro and south of the 26th parallel	$800,000 Updated
North of the 26th parallel (Geraldton, Port Hedland, Broome, Kimberley)	$1,000,000

The 26th parallel runs roughly through the middle of Western Australia's coast. If you're buying in Perth or anywhere south, the $800,000 cap applies. This figure increased from $750,000 on 7 May 2026. For construction loans, the cap applies to the combined value of the land plus the build cost at contract date.

First home buyers in Perth: 2026

Perth's property market has shifted significantly over the past few years. The median house price across Perth metro now sits above $730,000, which means many established homes in the inner and middle ring suburbs are approaching the FHOG's $800,000 cap. The increase from $750,000 to $800,000 (effective May 2026) brings more house and land packages and newer builds within reach of the grant.

Perth's outer growth corridors, including Baldivis, Alkimos, Brabham, Ellenbrook, Byford, and Wellard, typically have house and land packages priced well under the $800,000 threshold. Buyers in those areas are in the strongest position to access the full combination of FHOG, stamp duty exemption, and low-deposit lending through Keystart or the First Home Guarantee.

Perth also has a higher proportion of house and land package purchases than other Australian capital cities. Construction loan structures are a more common part of the first home buyer journey here than elsewhere. The FHOG is paid at the first construction progress draw rather than at land settlement, which affects how you plan your deposit and cash flow. See our house and land finance guide for how the two-contract structure works and what lenders assess.

Stamp duty in WA: 2026 update

Stamp duty concessions for first home buyers were updated in March 2025. Many published guides still show older thresholds. If you've seen articles referring to a $430,000 or $530,000 threshold, those figures are out of date.

Property value	Stamp duty payable (first home buyers, current law)
Up to $500,000	$0 (full exemption)
$500,001 to $700,000 (Metro/Peel)	Concessional rate (sliding scale)
Over $700,000 (Metro/Peel)	Standard duty rate applies

These thresholds apply to both new and established homes for eligible first home buyers under current law from 21 March 2025. On a $500,000 property, a first home buyer saves approximately $17,765 compared to a standard purchaser. A May 2026 budget proposal would increase the duty-free threshold to $600,000 and the concessional ceiling to $800,000, subject to legislation passing Parliament. See our WA stamp duty guide for the status of the proposed changes.

Always verify current thresholds with the WA Office of State Revenue, as these can change with each state budget.

For a full breakdown of stamp duty at each price point, including the concessional rate calculations and the separate thresholds that apply to vacant land, see our WA stamp duty guide for first home buyers.

Other schemes you can stack with the FHOG

The $10,000 FHOG is rarely the only support available. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible to combine it with one or more of the following:

A good broker will check all of these against your situation (deposit, income, property type, price) to work out which combination delivers the most value before you make a purchase decision.

How to apply for the FHOG, and the broker's role

Most first home buyers apply for the FHOG through their lender or mortgage broker as part of the loan application process. There's no separate grant application form to complete. Your broker or lender submits it on your behalf to the WA Office of State Revenue, and the grant is paid automatically at settlement (purchase) or at the first progress draw (construction).

If you're not borrowing (for example, paying cash), you can apply directly via the RevenueWA application portal. This is uncommon for first home buyers.

What documents you need

• Proof of identity (passport or driver's licence)
• Evidence of Australian citizenship or permanent residency
• Contract of sale or building contract
• Title search or details of the property
• Bank account details for payment

For construction loans you'll also typically need council-approved plans, a building permit, and your builder's registration number. Your broker will guide you through what's needed for your specific transaction.

Timing

For a purchase, the FHOG is paid at settlement and can count toward your funds to complete. For a construction loan, it's paid at the first progress draw once the foundation stage is reached. The application must be submitted within 12 months of the completion date of your home.

Common mistakes that disqualify applications

• Expecting FHOG on an established property. The grant applies to new homes only. If the property has been previously lived in, you're not eligible regardless of the purchase price.
• One applicant has owned property before. If either applicant has previously owned residential property in Australia, neither is eligible on a joint application. The rules apply to the transaction, not to each person individually.
• Buying through a trust or company structure. The FHOG is only available to individuals purchasing in their own names. Trust or company purchases don't qualify.
• Not moving in within 12 months of completion. The 12-month window starts from the completion date, not the contract date. If delays are likely, contact the WA Office of State Revenue early as extensions can be requested.
• Property value over the cap. If your house and land package exceeds $800,000 at contract date, you're not eligible. Final market value doesn't matter; it's the contract value that counts.

Frequently asked questions