You've found a new home to buy, or you're about to sign a building contract, and someone has mentioned the first home owner grant. For eligible buyers in Queensland, the grant is $30,000 toward the purchase of a new home, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. But it comes with conditions that catch people by surprise, especially the difference between new and established homes, the residence requirements and a citizenship rule that changed in 2026.
The grant is available only for new homes, not established ones. It cannot be used as a deposit before settlement. And from 1 August 2026, the Queensland Government requires that at least one applicant be an Australian citizen or permanent resident before a duty concession can be claimed on the same purchase. Understanding where the grant fits in your timeline, and what it does and does not cover, makes a real difference to how you plan the purchase.
As a Springfield law firm, we help clients across Greater Springfield and Ipswich with buying their first home, from reviewing the contract through to settlement.
Here is how the first home owner grant generally works in Queensland, and what the key conditions mean for a new home purchase.
Key takeaways
- The grant is $30,000 for eligible new homes valued under $750,000.
- Established homes do not qualify for the first home owner grant.
- The buyer must move in within one year and live there for six months.
This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Every situation is different, and you should speak with a solicitor about your own circumstances.
What is the first home owner grant in Queensland and who can get it?
The first home owner grant is a $30,000 payment from the Queensland Government for eligible first home buyers who purchase or build a new home, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. It is not available for buyers of established homes, and there is no equivalent grant for that type of purchase.
To qualify, the applicant must be a natural person aged 18 or older, which means companies and trusts cannot apply. At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. The applicant and their spouse must not have previously received a first home owner grant in any Australian state or territory. They must also not have owned residential property in Australia on or after 1 July 2000 that they lived in, or before that date whether or not they lived in it.
The new home must be valued at less than $750,000, including the land and any contract variations. For a contract to build, value means the building contract price plus the unencumbered value of the land at the contract date, according to the Queensland Revenue Office.
What counts as a new home for the grant?
A new home, for grant purposes, is one that has not previously been occupied or sold as a place of residence, or is a substantially renovated home. This covers off-the-plan apartments, contracts to build on vacant land and owner-builder projects, according to the Queensland Revenue Office.
An established home that has been lived in before does not qualify. This is the distinction that catches many first home buyers out, particularly those who assume the grant applies to any first purchase. It does not. The grant is specifically designed to encourage the construction and purchase of new housing stock.
"The first home owner grant applies only to new homes. A buyer who signs a contract on an established property may still qualify for a duty concession, but the grant itself is off the table."
Jade Kickbusch, Principal, Brookwater Legal
What are the eligibility rules and key conditions?
The Queensland Revenue Office sets out several conditions a buyer must meet to receive the grant and keep it.
Residence requirements:
- › Move in within one year: the buyer must move in as their principal place of residence within one year of the completed transaction and the title being registered.
- › Live there for six months: after moving in, the buyer must live there continuously for six months. The Queensland Revenue Office notes that in some exceptional circumstances this requirement may be treated with discretion by the Commissioner.
- › No renting before moving in: the property cannot be sold, transferred, leased or rented out before the buyer moves in.
- › Investment property exclusion: the grant is not available to purchase investment properties.
Citizenship requirement (from 1 August 2026):
From 1 August 2026, buyers claiming a home, first home or first home vacant land concession must be Australian citizens, permanent residents or specified foreign retirees, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. This applies to duty concessions on the same purchase, and any article or legal advice covering concessions must reflect this requirement.
Repayment:
Under Queensland's First Home Owner Grant and Other Home Owner Grants Act, a grant paid before the residence requirements are met must be repaid, with written notice, within 14 days after the relevant date if the requirements are not complied with. A buyer who does not meet the move-in or occupation obligations must lodge a notice for reassessment within 28 days and may have to repay all or part of the grant, with interest and penalty tax also possible, according to the Queensland Revenue Office.
How does the grant work in practice for different purchase types?
The grant operates differently depending on how a buyer is purchasing their new home. This is the distinction most first home buyers do not fully understand before they sign.
Off-the-plan purchase: the grant is generally paid at settlement of the completed home. The property has not been previously occupied, so it qualifies as a new home where the value is under $750,000.
Contract to build: where a buyer signs a building contract for a new home, the grant is generally paid at the first drawdown of construction loan funds, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. The value test applies to the building contract price plus the land value at the contract date.
House and land package: a package may be a single contract or two linked contracts, one for the land and one for the build. The Queensland Government refers to linked or single house-and-land contracts. For the first home owner grant, a buyer does not have an off-the-plan contract if they have both a separate vacant land contract and a separate building contract, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. The contract structure affects when and how the grant is paid, and a solicitor can review the specific documents.
Vacant land to build on: where a buyer purchases vacant land and intends to build their first home on it, they may be eligible for the first home vacant land concession on duty as well as the grant. The Queensland Revenue Office requires that no building exists on the land at acquisition and that the buyer builds, moves in and lives there within two years of settlement.
How does a solicitor help with the grant process in Queensland?
Step 1: Talk to us
Get in touch and we'll explain how the grant fits into your purchase and what the eligibility conditions mean for your situation generally.
Step 2: Review the contract
We review the contract of sale or building contract to confirm the purchase structure, the value and the key conditions, including anything that might affect grant eligibility or timing.
Step 3: Apply through an approved agent
A buyer applies for the grant through an approved agent, meaning a bank or lending institution, or directly to the Queensland Revenue Office. We assist with the conveyancing side of the purchase and coordinate with the lender where the application runs through them.
Step 4: Settlement and handover
We handle the settlement process, including the transfer of title and confirmation that the grant conditions align with the settlement arrangements, so nothing is missed at the final stage.
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What are the common misunderstandings about the first home owner grant in Queensland?
Most errors with the first home owner grant come down to two assumptions: that it applies to established homes, and that it can be used as an upfront deposit. Neither is correct.
The grant is not paid before or at contract signing. It is paid at settlement or at the first drawdown of a construction loan, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. A buyer who plans to use it to cover their deposit is making a timing error that can affect the whole purchase. The deposit must be funded separately.
The second common misunderstanding involves co-buyers. Where one buyer qualifies and another does not, the qualifying buyer can still claim on their own interest or share, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. The grant is not lost because one co-buyer fails the eligibility test, but the qualifying buyer's share governs what is paid.
The third involves house and land packages with two separate contracts. As noted above, the Queensland Revenue Office has set out that a buyer holding both a vacant land contract and a separate building contract does not have an off-the-plan purchase contract for grant purposes. The structure of the contracts matters, and reviewing them before signing avoids a surprise later.
When does the first home owner grant not apply?
Understanding when the grant does not apply is as useful as knowing when it does. The Queensland Revenue Office sets out the following situations where a first home buyer would not be eligible.
- › Established homes: no grant is available for a home that has previously been occupied or sold as a place of residence.
- › Homes valued at $750,000 or more: the new home must be valued at less than $750,000 including land and any contract variations.
- › Prior grant or prior ownership: if the applicant or their spouse has previously received a first home owner grant in any state or territory, or has owned residential property in Australia in the relevant periods, the grant is not available.
- › Companies and trusts: the applicant must be a natural person aged 18 or older. Companies are not eligible. Trustees are not eligible for the grant.
- › Investment properties: the grant is not available where the home is purchased as an investment property rather than a principal place of residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the first home owner grant in Queensland in 2026?
The grant is $30,000 for eligible contracts signed on or after 20 November 2023, for a new home valued at less than $750,000 including land and any contract variations, according to the Queensland Revenue Office.
Can I get the first home owner grant in QLD if I'm buying an established home?
No. The Queensland Revenue Office confirms the grant is not available for established homes that have previously been occupied or sold as a place of residence. There is no equivalent grant for established home purchases in Queensland.
When is the first home owner grant paid in Queensland?
It is generally paid at settlement for an off-the-plan purchase, or at the first drawdown of a construction loan for a contract to build, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. It is not paid at contract signing and cannot be used as a deposit.
Do I have to live in the home to keep the Queensland first home owner grant?
Yes. The Queensland Revenue Office requires the buyer to move in within one year of the completed transaction and live there continuously for six months. A grant paid before those requirements are met must be repaid under Queensland's first home owner grant Act.
What is the new citizenship requirement for the QLD first home owner grant in 2026?
From 1 August 2026, the Queensland Revenue Office requires that at least one applicant claiming a home or first home duty concession be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or a specified foreign retiree. This requirement applies to duty concessions on the same purchase as the grant.
Do you need a solicitor to apply for the first home owner grant in Springfield or Ipswich QLD?
The application is lodged through an approved lender or directly with the Queensland Revenue Office, but a solicitor plays an important role in reviewing the contract, confirming eligibility conditions and managing settlement. Our conveyancing team helps first home buyers across Greater Springfield and Ipswich navigate the process.
Can I claim the first home owner grant and a stamp duty concession in Queensland?
Generally yes, where both eligibility tests are met. For a new home, the first home (new home) concession introduced from 1 May 2025 reduces transfer duty to nil for eligible buyers, according to the Queensland Revenue Office. Only one duty concession can be claimed per transaction.
Your Next Steps
The first home owner grant is a genuine financial benefit for eligible buyers in Queensland, but only where the purchase qualifies, the conditions are met and the timing is right. For first home buyers in Greater Springfield and Ipswich, getting clear on those conditions before signing a contract avoids problems that are much harder to fix afterwards.
Every first home purchase is different, and that's exactly why it's worth a conversation. Make an appointment with the Brookwater Legal team or call (07) 3437 8555.
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External Resources
- Queensland Revenue Office - First home owner grant eligibility criteria
- Queensland Revenue Office - First home owner grant: how to apply
- Queensland Revenue Office - First home (new home) concession
- Queensland Revenue Office - First home vacant land concession
- Queensland Legislation - First Home Owner Grant and Other Home Owner Grants Act 2000
Brookwater Legal · This article contains general information only and does not constitute legal advice. It does not take into account your individual circumstances. You should obtain legal advice about your own situation before acting on anything in this article. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
