What grants are available in NSW?

The main grant available is the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG).

In NSW, this typically provides:

  • $10,000 one-off payment for eligible first home buyers
  • available when buying or building a new home
  • can be used towards your deposit or upfront costs

There are also additional forms of support, including:

  • stamp duty exemptions or concessions under the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme
  • access to federal low deposit schemes (if eligible)

These can often be combined — but only if structured correctly.

How first home buyer grants work

Grants are not automatically applied — they need to align with your purchase and loan.

Typically, this involves:

  • confirming eligibility before purchase
  • ensuring the property meets grant criteria
  • structuring your loan to incorporate the grant
  • lodging the application through your lender or conveyancer

In most cases, the grant is applied at settlement or during the loan process — not paid directly upfront.

Key eligibility requirements

Eligibility is based on both the buyer and the property.

You will generally need to:

  • be 18 years or older
  • be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • be a first home buyer (no prior ownership)
  • intend to live in the property for a minimum period
  • purchase or build a new home (not established)

Property value caps also apply, typically:

  • up to $600,000 for new homes
  • up to $750,000 for house and land packages

These rules are strict — and often where buyers get caught out.

What properties qualify?

Grants in NSW are primarily linked to new properties.

This can include:

  • newly built homes
  • off-the-plan purchases
  • house and land packages
  • substantially renovated properties

Established homes generally do not qualify for the FHOG, although other concessions (like stamp duty relief) may still apply.

Common mistakes with grants

Grants are often misunderstood or incorrectly assumed.

Common issues include:

  • assuming all first home purchases qualify
  • not realising grants are limited to new builds
  • exceeding property price caps
  • not meeting residency requirements
  • relying on grants too late in the process
  • structuring the purchase in a way that makes the grant ineligible

These mistakes can lead to missed opportunities or failed expectations.

How we structure grants at Evolve

We treat grants as part of the overall strategy — not a bonus.

This includes:

  • confirming eligibility early
  • aligning your property search with grant criteria
  • structuring your loan to incorporate the grant
  • identifying all available state and federal support
  • ensuring timing and documentation are correct
  • avoiding lenders or structures that complicate eligibility

The objective is to make sure the grant actually works for you — not just looks good on paper.

Speak with a broker before relying on grants

Grants can materially improve your position — but only if they’re applied correctly.

Before proceeding, it’s worth understanding:

  • whether you’re actually eligible
  • what property types qualify
  • how the grant fits into your deposit
  • whether multiple schemes can be combined
  • how to avoid losing eligibility

A well-structured approach can unlock real savings. A poorly structured one can mean missing out entirely.

Government support should be reviewed as part of the broader lending strategy, so you may also want to review our first home buyer loans page and guidance from a mortgage broker in Penrith or mortgage broker in Parramatta.

Speak with Evolve Lending & Finance to review your structure and next steps.