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The first home owner boost applies to contracts entered into between 14 October 2008 and 31 December 2009. You must apply for the boost within 1 year of buying or building your home.
Boost extended
The Australian Government announced a six-month extension to the First Home Owner Boost Scheme as part of its 2009–2010 Budget.
The first home owner boost provided eligible first home buyers with $7,000 for established homes and $14,000 for new homes. To be eligible for the boost, first home buyers had to enter into a contract (and owner builders had to commence construction) on or after 14 October 2008 and on or before 30 September 2009. In combination with the existing $7,000 first home owner grant, this meant that first home owners received $14,000 for established homes and $21,000 for new homes.
First home buyers who entered into contracts (and owner builders who commenced construction) on or after 1 October 2009 and on or before 31 December 2009 received a reduced boost—$3,500 for established homes and $7,000 for new homes. In combination with the existing $7,000 first home owner grant, this brought the grant to $10,500 for established homes and $14,000 for new homes.
| Commencement date | QLD grant |
Commonwealth boost (established homes) |
Commonwealth (new homes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before 14 October 2008 | $7,000 | n/a | n/a |
| 14 October 2008 to 30 September 2009 | $7,000 | $7,000 | $14,000 |
| 1 October 2009 to 31 December 2009 | $7,000 | $3,500 | $7,000 |
| 1 January 2010 | $7,000 | n/a | n/a |
Eligibility for the boost
To receive the boost, you must also have been eligible for the first home owner grant.
See the boost addendum form (PDF 275 K) for more information regarding eligibility requirements.
New homes—timeframes
Prescribed building periods applied to new homes and newly constructed homes.
Building contracts
| $14,000 boost | $7,000 boost | |
|---|---|---|
| Sign contract for building |
From 14 October 2008 to 30 September 2009 (inclusive) |
From 1 October 2009 to 31 December 2009 (inclusive) |
| Commencement of building |
Within 26 weeks of signing contract | Within 26 weeks of signing contract |
| Completion of building |
Contract must specify a completion date within 18 months of building commencing, or the building must be completed within 18 months of building commencing |
Contract must specify a completion date within 18 months of building commencing, or the building must be completed within 18 months of building commencing |
Note: In limited circumstances, you may be allowed an extension of time to start and complete building your home. You must apply for an extension in writing—include any relevant documentation to support your request.
Owner-builders
| $14,000 boost | $7,000 boost | |
|---|---|---|
| Commencement of building |
Must lay foundations between 14 October 2008 and 30 September 2009 (inclusive) | Must lay foundations between 1 October 2009 and 31 December 2009 (inclusive) |
| Completion of building |
Within 18 months of the commencement of building |
Within 18 months of the commencement of building |
Note: In limited circumstances, you may be allowed an extension of time to complete building your home. You must apply for an extension in writing—include any relevant documentation to support your request.
Off-the-plan
| $14,000 boost | $14,000 boost | $7,000 boost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sign purchase contract | From 14 October 2008 to 30 June 2009 (inclusive) |
From 1 July 2009 to 30 September 2009 (inclusive) |
From 1 October 2009 to 31 December 2009 (inclusive) |
| Commencement of building |
n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Completion of building |
On or before 31 December 2010, as stipulated in contract.
|
On or before 31 March 2011, as
|
On or before 30 June 2011, as stipulated
|
Note: The First Home Owner Grant Act 2000 does not allow any time extension beyond the dates listed above. However, where building work cannot be completed on time due to special circumstances, you may be able to receive an ex gratia payment provided you meet the other conditions for the boost. Apply in writing for an ex gratia payment, stating the reason why the building completion has been delayed and why your case deserves relief, and include any relevant supporting documentation. You can apply for this payment when you lodge your first home owner grant application.
Applying for the boost
If you were buying an established home, you only needed to complete the first home owner grant application form (PDF 750 K) to claim the boost.
If you were building a new home or buying a newly constructed home, you needed to complete both the first home owner grant application form and the boost addendum form (PDF 275 K) to claim the boost.