Last updated: August 14, 2026
The short answer
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in Queensland is a $30,000 one-off cash grant from the Queensland Government paid to eligible first home buyers who purchase or build a brand new home valued at $750,000 or less including land. The $30,000 amount applies to contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2030 (extended by four years in the June 2026 Queensland State Budget). It’s paid at settlement (or first drawdown for a build), administered by the Queensland Revenue Office (QRO), and is one grant per property, not per applicant.
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What is the First Home Owner Grant Queensland?
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a payment from the Queensland Government to help first home buyers get into their first property. It was introduced in 2000 to offset the impact of the GST on new home construction and has been maintained (with changing amounts) ever since.
The grant is administered by the Queensland Revenue Office (QRO), which is the state agency responsible for administering state taxes, grants, royalties, and duties in Queensland. FHOG is a separate scheme to federal first home buyer assistance (the First Home Guarantee) and to Queensland stamp duty concessions, all three of which can be stacked for an eligible new home buyer.
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How much is the First Home Owner Grant QLD in 2026?
The current grant is $30,000, applicable to contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2030.
In the June 2026 Queensland State Budget, the government extended the $30,000 amount by four years. Previously it had been due to revert to $15,000 on 1 July 2026. That extension was significant news for first home buyers in 2026 because it removed the artificial deadline pressure that had been driving hurried contract decisions in the first half of the year.
| Contract date | FHOG amount | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Before 20 Nov 2023 | $15,000 | Historical - not applicable to 2026 buyers |
| 20 Nov 2023 to 30 Jun 2030 | $30,000 | Current amount for 2026 contracts |
| From 1 Jul 2030 | TBC (currently $15,000 unless further extended) | Future - subject to Government decisions |
The contract date is what matters, not the settlement date. Signing on 29 June 2030 for a settlement in September 2030 still qualifies at $30,000, provided all other eligibility conditions are met.
Full eligibility criteria for FHOG QLD
To qualify for the First Home Owner Grant in Queensland, all of the following conditions must be met:
Personal eligibility
- Age: At least one applicant must be 18 years or older at the time of application.
- Residency: At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Joint applicants both need to meet this if they are applying together.
- First home buyer status: You (and your spouse or de facto partner, if applicable) must never have owned residential property in Australia that you occupied as a place of residence, and never have previously received a first home owner grant in any Australian state or territory.
- Living-in requirement: You must intend to move into the home as your principal place of residence within 12 months of settlement (or completion for a build) and live there continuously for at least 6 months.
Property eligibility
- New home only: The property must be brand new, meaning it has not previously been lived in or sold as a place of residence. See the next section for what qualifies as a new home.
- Price cap: Total value of $750,000 or less, including land and any contract variations. For a house-and-land package this is the combined value.
- Location: The property must be in Queensland.
What counts as a ‘new home’ for FHOG purposes?
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of the FHOG rules, so it’s worth working through carefully.
A new home is one that:
- Has never been previously occupied as a residence, and
- Has never been previously sold as a residence
This covers four main property types:
1. House-and-land packages
You buy a block of land, sign a build contract with a builder, and the completed home is your first residence. Both the land and build contract count toward the $750,000 combined cap.
2. Off-the-plan purchases
You buy a home or apartment before or during construction, typically from a developer. Provided the property has never been previously occupied when you settle, it qualifies as new.
3. Newly built homes
You buy a home that a builder or developer has already completed but that has never been occupied or sold as a residence. Common with spec-build homes and new estate release homes that haven’t yet been lived in.
4. Substantially renovated homes (edge case)
Homes that have undergone substantial renovation may qualify as new if the renovation was extensive enough to be treated as a new residence. This is a nuanced area where QRO guidance and case-by-case assessment applies. If the property was previously sold post-renovation, or previously occupied post-renovation, it typically won’t qualify. Speak to a broker or QRO directly if this is your specific situation.
What doesn’t count as new
- Established homes (previously occupied)
- Second-hand homes being onsold
- Investment properties being converted to owner-occupier residences
- Properties purchased from a related party (potential compliance flag)
- Homes where a display home or short-term occupancy has occurred (varies by circumstance)
How to apply for FHOG QLD: the 6-step process
Applications are typically lodged through your lender or mortgage broker as part of the home loan application, not separately. Applying directly through the Queensland Revenue Office is also possible but is less common because the timing has to align with settlement anyway.
- Confirm eligibility. Work through the criteria above with your broker or check the QRO website. Confirm both your personal eligibility and the property’s eligibility before signing any contract.
- Sign the contract. For a purchase, this is the property purchase contract with the vendor or developer. For a build, this is both the land contract and the build contract with the builder. The contract date determines which FHOG amount applies.
- Lodge the FHOG application with your loan application. Your lender or mortgage broker submits the QRO Form F-FHOG-1 as part of the loan documentation. The application requires proof of identity, evidence of the contract, and evidence of citizenship or permanent residency.
- Loan approval. The lender processes your home loan application in parallel with the FHOG application. Both need to be approved before settlement can proceed.
- Grant approval. The QRO reviews the application and confirms eligibility. Approval typically comes through within 10 business days if all documentation is in order. Approvals are conditional until settlement occurs.
- Payment at settlement. The $30,000 is paid at settlement for an existing new build (or first loan drawdown for a construction loan). The funds are typically credited into your account by the lender on the settlement day.
Common reasons FHOG QLD applications are declined
From our experience settling first home buyer transactions on the Sunshine Coast, these are the most common reasons applications are declined:
Spouse or partner previously owned property. Covered above. The eligibility check applies to both people in a couple, even if only one is on the title.
Property doesn’t meet the ‘new home’ definition. Substantially renovated or briefly occupied properties often fail this test. Check with QRO directly if there’s any ambiguity.
Property value exceeds $750,000. Contract variations pushing the total over the cap will disqualify the application, even by $1.
Applicant is not a citizen or permanent resident. Temporary visa holders (including some skilled migration visas) do not qualify. Timing on permanent residency approval matters.
Failure to meet the living-in requirement. Not intended at time of application, or not completed after settlement. QRO can require repayment of the grant if the living-in requirement is not met.
Documentation errors. Missing signatures, incorrect information, or inconsistencies between the FHOG application and the loan application.
Previously received FHOG in another state. The scheme is national in scope for eligibility purposes. Receiving FHOG in NSW or VIC before disqualifies you from claiming in Queensland.
FHOG QLD timing: when does the money actually land?
For a completed new home purchase, the $30,000 is paid at settlement. Your lender receives the grant funds from the QRO and applies them to reduce the amount you need to fund at settlement. In practice, this means you need less cash at settlement, not that you receive a lump sum in your bank account afterwards.
For a construction loan (house-and-land package or knock-down rebuild), the grant is paid at first drawdown of the construction loan. This is usually the ‘slab down’ or foundation stage progress payment. The grant helps fund your contribution at that stage of construction.
A common misunderstanding: the FHOG cannot be used as part of your genuine savings for the deposit. It only lands at settlement, so you still need to save the deposit and closing costs separately. Most lenders require at least 5% genuine savings independent of the grant.
After settlement: the living-in requirement
Receiving the grant comes with a condition: you must move into the home as your principal place of residence within 12 months of settlement (or completion for a build) and live there continuously for at least 6 months.
QRO does audit compliance with this requirement. If they determine you didn’t meet it, they can require repayment of the full grant, sometimes with interest. Common triggers for a compliance review include:
- Rental listings for the property soon after settlement
- Utility bills at a different address
- Council rates notices redirected elsewhere
- Property being used as a short-term rental (Airbnb, Stayz) rather than owner occupancy
Legitimate exemptions exist for defence force personnel and specific hardship circumstances, but they must be applied for. If your circumstances change after receiving the grant (job relocation, illness, relationship breakdown), contact QRO before making decisions about the property.
FHOG QLD vs the other first home buyer schemes in 2026
FHOG is one of three main pieces of assistance available to Queensland first home buyers. For the full picture on how they stack, read our complete first home buyer playbook for the Sunshine Coast. In brief:
| Scheme | Amount | Property type | Administered by |
|---|---|---|---|
| FHOG QLD | $30,000 | New homes only, under $750,000 | QRO |
| Stamp duty exemption | Full duty saved on new homes, no price cap | New homes and vacant land (also concessions on established up to $800,000) | QRO |
| First Home Guarantee | 5% deposit, no LMI (save ~$20-25k) | New or established, up to $1m (SEQ) | Housing Australia (federal) |
For an eligible new home purchase under $750,000, all three can be stacked. Combined benefit for a Sunshine Coast first home buyer can exceed $55,000 to $65,000 in equivalent value.
FHOG QLD on the Sunshine Coast: where it works
The $750,000 property cap and the new-homes-only requirement together shape where FHOG is realistically applicable on the Sunshine Coast. Most applicable in:
- Growth corridor suburbs: Palmview, Aura, Bells Reach, Nirimba, where new house-and-land packages under $750,000 are widely available.
- New apartment stock: SunCentral Maroochydore CBD apartments and other new-build unit developments within the cap.
- Selected build sites: Custom builds on land in outer suburbs where the combined land plus build cost lands under the cap.
For a full look at first home buyer options across the Sunshine Coast, see our first home buyer playbook. We work with first home buyers in Maroochydore, Noosa, Mooloolaba, Buderim, Caloundra, Sippy Downs, Coolum, Kawana and the surrounding suburbs. Our office is at 18/8 Fairfax Street, Sippy Downs.
Ready to work out if you qualify for FHOG QLD?
Book a free 15-minute call. We’ll walk through your eligibility, work out which schemes you can stack, and confirm what your deposit needs to be. No hard sell, no pressure.
Or call us on 07 5437 9073 during business hours. Our office is at 18/8 Fairfax Street, Sippy Downs, and we work with first home buyers across the Sunshine Coast.
Frequently asked questions about the FHOG QLD
$30,000 for eligible new homes valued at $750,000 or less. The amount applies to contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2030, following the extension announced in the June 2026 Queensland State Budget.
No. FHOG QLD is only available for brand new homes that have never been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence. Established homes are not eligible for the grant, though first home buyers may still qualify for stamp duty concessions on established homes valued up to $800,000.
At settlement for a completed home purchase, or at first drawdown of a construction loan for a house-and-land package or build. The funds are typically applied to reduce the amount you need to fund at settlement, rather than paid to you separately afterwards.
No. The grant is one payment per property, not per applicant. Two people buying together receive one $30,000 grant, not two.
Generally no. The eligibility check applies to your spouse or de facto partner as well as to you, even if only one of you is on the property title. There are limited exceptions where the previous ownership was purely as an investment (never lived in) and occurred after 1 July 2000, but these are edge cases.
Australian citizens and permanent residents qualify. Temporary residents (including many skilled visa holders) do not. If applying jointly, at least one applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident.
You would not qualify for FHOG QLD. The $750,000 cap is a hard cutoff, including any contract variations that push the total price above it. If you’re close to the cap, get the contract structured carefully to stay under, or the grant is lost entirely.
Not directly. The grant lands at settlement, not before, so you can’t use it to reach the deposit or genuine savings requirements upfront. You still need to save the deposit and settlement costs separately. The grant reduces the amount you contribute at settlement itself.
For a principal place of residence, the FHOG is generally not treated as taxable income. Speak to your accountant for confirmation based on your specific situation.
QRO can require repayment of the full grant, sometimes with interest. Legitimate exemptions exist (defence force, specific hardship) but must be applied for. Contact QRO before your circumstances change if you may not be able to meet the requirement.
Yes. We handle the FHOG application as part of the home loan application process. We confirm your eligibility, lodge the application with the correct documentation, coordinate with the lender, and ensure the grant is applied correctly at settlement. We work with 40+ lenders and have been serving Sunshine Coast first home buyers for 15 years.
Meet Chris Wilson, the heart of Sunshine Coast Financial Solutions (SCFS). With over a decade of experience in finance, Chris started his journey as a broker with Aussie Home Loans in 2009. His dedication earned him the title of Rookie of the Year in 2010. By 2011, he was ready to build a business based on trust and strong partnerships.
