At Endeavour Homes, our top priority is to help Western Australians achieve homeownership by navigating them through financial aids like the First Home Owner Grant, Home Buyers Assistance Account, and First Home Owner Rate of Duty. These schemes and grants are designed to lower the initial costs of buying a home, making it easier for first-time buyers. Read on to discover how these programmes could be the key to unlocking the door to your new home.
The First Home Owner Grant
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in WA is designed to support and encourage first-home buyers by providing a one-off payment to assist them in purchasing or building a new residential property. This grant is intended for the property to be used as the buyer’s principal place of residence.
Key details about the FHOG include:
Grant amount: The grant provides $10,000, or the actual consideration paid to buy or build the house if it’s less than this amount.
Eligibility for transactions: Only one grant is available per eligible transaction. This means that if two people are purchasing a home together, they are entitled to only one grant between them.
Purpose: The FHOG aims to encourage and assist first home buyers in acquiring a new home for use as their primary residence, distinct from other housing-related schemes such as the Australian Government’s First Home Guarantee scheme.
Eligibility criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Must be Australian citizens or permanent residents
- The property must be the applicant’s first home in Australia
- Must use the home as the primary place of residence for a continuous period of 6 months within the first 12 months of the transaction
Home Buyers Assistance Account
The Home Buyers Assistance Account in WA provides a financial boost to first-time homebuyers, offering up to $2,000 to help cover the costs associated with buying a first home. This programme is designed to make homeownership more accessible for newcomers to the property market.
Overview of the Home Buyers Assistance Account
Grant amount: Eligible recipients can receive up to $2,000, intended to offset some of the costs associated with purchasing a first home.
Eligibility for transactions: The account is designed for transactions where the purchase price of the home does not exceed $400,000, ensuring support is directed towards more affordable housing options.
Qualified purchases: To qualify, the property must be purchased through a licensed real estate agent in WA and must be an established or partially built home, not vacant land or a property still in the planning stages.
Residency requirement: Buyers must live in the purchased property as their main home for a minimum of 12 months after buying, highlighting the scheme’s focus on encouraging actual home occupancy.
Application deadline: Applications need to be submitted within 90 days post the settlement of the home purchase, ensuring new homeowners receive prompt support.
Eligibility criteria:
- Prospective buyers must be purchasing their first home in WA
- The home must serve as the buyer’s primary residence for at least 12 months after purchase
- Applicants should lodge their application within the specified timeframe following the settlement
First Home Owner Rate Of Duty
The First Home Owner Rate of Duty in Western Australia is a beneficial scheme tailored to assist first-time home buyers in the state by offering significant stamp duty concessions. This initiative aims to make the path to homeownership more attainable by reducing one of the key upfront costs associated with purchasing a property.
Overview of the First Home Owner Rate of Duty
The First Home Owner Rate of Duty in Western Australia provides substantial stamp duty concessions for first-time buyers, aiming to ease a significant financial barrier to homeownership.
Concession amount: Delivers significant stamp duty reductions, making the initial purchase cost more manageable for first-time homeowners and easing their entry into the housing market.
Eligibility for transactions: Aims at transactions meeting certain criteria, including the buyer’s residency, age, and the home’s intended use, to ensure targeted support.
Qualified purchases: Applies to the acquisition of a first home in Australia, with full exemptions for homes up to $430,000 and graduated concessions for those valued between $430,000 and $530,000, focusing support on affordable options.
Residency requirement: To be eligible, applicants need to live in the home they buy as their main residence. This supports the scheme’s aim of encouraging real homeownership over investment. It highlights the importance of creating stable, long-term communities.
Property value thresholds: Establishes clear thresholds for property values that qualify for stamp duty concessions, aiming to promote accessibility to the property market for first-time buyers by focusing on more affordable housing options.
Eligibility criteria:
- Residency status: To qualify, applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents, ensuring that the benefits are allocated to individuals committed to long-term residency in Australia.
- Age requirement: Applicants need to be 18 years or older, aligning with the legal capacity to enter into a property purchase agreement.
- First home ownership: The scheme is specifically designed for individuals purchasing their first home in Australia, aiming to support new entrants into the housing market.
- Property value thresholds: Concessions vary based on the property’s value, with complete exemptions for homes up to $430,000. For homes priced between $430,000 and $530,000, concessions are on a sliding scale, offering partial relief correlating with the purchase price.
Building Bonus Grant (applications close 30 April 2024)
The Building Bonus Grant in Western Australia provides a notable $20,000 incentive aimed at stimulating the construction and real estate sectors by encouraging the building or purchasing of new homes under specific conditions.
Key aspects of the Building Bonus Grant
Grant value: A flat amount of $20,000 is offered to eligible applicants, providing substantial financial support towards the cost of building or purchasing a new home.
Purpose and scope: The grant is specifically designed to boost new home construction and sales within the state, contributing to economic growth and increasing housing stock.
Targeted developments: The grant focuses on encouraging the construction of new detached homes on vacant land or the purchase of new homes within a single-tier development on a strata plan, promoting a diverse range of housing options.
Eligibility criteria:
- Contract timing: Eligibility is determined based on the signing dates of contracts for building or purchasing. The grant targets specific periods to ensure the incentive supports timely construction and sales activities.
- Type of property: The scheme is applicable for new detached homes built on vacant land and new homes in single-tier developments, ensuring a focus on increasing new housing developments.
First Home Super Saver Scheme (nationwide)
The First Home Super Saver Scheme in Australia is an innovative approach that enables first-home buyers to leverage their superannuation funds to save for a home deposit. This scheme recognises the challenges many face in saving for a substantial deposit amidst rising property prices and living costs.
Overview of the First Home Super Saver Scheme
Contribution limits: Individuals can contribute up to $15,000 per year into their superannuation fund under this scheme, with a total limit set at $30,000 for the purpose of saving for a first home.
Purpose: The scheme’s main goal is to provide a tax-effective savings pathway for first-home buyers, utilising the concessional tax treatment of superannuation to boost savings for a home deposit.
Eligibility criteria:
- Savings target: The scheme allows for a total savings goal of up to $30,000, aimed specifically at accumulating a deposit for purchasing a first home.
- Annual contribution cap: There is a cap on how much you can contribute each year, set at $15,000, to ensure the scheme is used for its intended purpose of saving for a home deposit.
Family Home Guarantee (nationwide)
The Family Home Guarantee is a pivotal initiative designed to support single parents in Australia in securing home ownership with a minimal deposit requirement. This programme is part of a broader effort to provide more accessible housing solutions to families facing unique financial challenges.
Key features of the Family Home Guarantee:
Target audience: Exclusively aimed at single parents with dependents, recognising the particular financial pressures they may face in achieving home ownership.
Deposit requirement: The scheme allows for a significantly reduced deposit, as low as 2% of the purchase price. This lower threshold is intended to make it more feasible for single parents to enter the housing market.
Citizenship requirement: Applicants must be Australian citizens, ensuring that the benefits of the scheme are extended to citizens with a long-term commitment to living and raising their families in Australia.
Eligibility criteria:
- Single status: Single parents or legal guardians with dependents eligible
- Minimal deposit requirement: as low as 2%
- Citizenship: Australian citizenship or permanent residency required
- Age requirement: 18 years and above
- Income cap: $125,000 per year
- Occupancy: Must intend to occupy the purchased property
- Open to: First-home buyers and previous homeowners
- Settlement: Applicants must not own property at settlement
Final thoughts
With the number of grants and schemes available to prospective homebuyers, it can feel daunting as to which you are best suited for. Remember that Endeavour Homes is with you every step of the way. Our expertise and commitment to quality mean we’re not just builders; we’re partners in making your vision of homeownership come true. Discover how Endeavour Homes can be part of your journey. Get in touch today and let’s make your dream home a reality together.
