$30k First Home Owner Grant Queensland (2025–2026 Guide)

Thinking about buying or building your very first place in Queensland? This step-by-step guide explains exactly how the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) works in QLD, who qualifies, what properties are eligible, how to apply (fast), and how the grant fits alongside stamp duty concessions and Queensland’s new Boost to Buy shared-equity scheme. You’ll also find key dates, common pitfalls, and crisp answers to FAQs so you can move from research to keys-in-hand with confidence.

What is the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant?

The FHOG is a one-off, state-based payment that helps first-home buyers into a brand-new home. In Queensland, the grant is $30,000 for eligible transactions in a set window and $15,000 outside that window. The grant supports new builds, off-the-plan purchases, and substantially renovated homes that haven’t been lived in before.

Queensland temporarily doubled the grant from $15,000 to $30,000 for eligible transactions to boost supply and ease entry costs for first-time buyers. The higher amount is tied to specific contract/foundation dates (explained below).

Who is Eligible for the $30k FHOG in Queensland?

Buying your first home in Queensland? Eligibility comes down to two checklists: you (the buyer) and the home you’re buying or building. The people’s rules confirm you’re a genuine first-home buyer who will live in the property. The property rules confirm the home is new and under the value cap. If either set of rules isn’t met by you, your partner, or the property; the grant won’t be approved. Below, we break down the personal requirements and the property requirements so you can spot any gaps early and avoid delays.

Personal Eligibility

Personal eligibility ensures the grant goes to true first-home buyers who will live in the property.

• You are 18 or older and a natural person (not a company or trust). You’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or applying with someone who is). NZ citizens holding a Special Category Visa are treated as permanent residents for eligibility. 
• Neither you nor your spouse has owned residential property you lived in (after 1 July 2000) anywhere in Australia, and neither has received an FHOG before. 

Property Eligibility

The grant is for new housing only, Queensland has separate stamp duty concessions for established homes.

• New home only: never been occupied or sold as a residence, or a substantially renovated home. No grants for established homes. 
• Value cap: under $750,000 (including land and any contract variations). 
• Eligible types include off-the-plan, new builds, substantially renovated dwellings, and owner-builder projects (with specific rules below).

Can I Get the $30,000 FHOG in QLD if I Inherited a Property?

Yes, if you never lived in the inherited home. You’re ineligible if you (or your spouse/de facto) owned and lived in any residential property on or after 1 July 2000, or owned any residential property before 1 July 2000 (even if you never lived in it). If the inherited place was always an investment and you never occupied it, you may still qualify, be ready to show full evidence (e.g., leases, utilities, tax returns showing rent). Remember, both partners must meet these rules.

Can I Get the $30,000 FHOG in QLD if I Already Own an Investment Property?

Yes, if you’ve never lived in it. You can still be eligible when you buy/build a brand-new home to live in if your existing property has been strictly an investment the whole time since 1 July 2000. You’ll need to prove non-occupation for the entire ownership period (e.g., leases, utility bills, tax returns showing rent). If you ever lived in that property on or after 1 July 2000, or you owned residential property before 1 July 2000 (even if never occupied), you’re not eligible. Also note: the grant can’t be used to buy an investment property.

How Much Can You Get & When Does It End?

Here’s the practical overview so you can plan your timeline and budget.

Grant amount:

• $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026 (inclusive).
• $30,000 for owner-builders where foundations are laid between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026.
• Otherwise, the grant is $15,000.
  The grant amount reverts to $15,000 on 1 July 2026 (unless further extended/changed by the government).

Tip: If you’re building as an owner-builder, your eligibility date is when foundations are laid, not when you first thought about building, important if you’re close to the cut-off

How to Apply for the Grant

You can apply via an approved bank/lender (fastest) or directly to the Queensland Revenue Office (QRO). Timing and documents depend on your purchase/build path.

• Best speed: Apply through an approved agent (your lender), this is typically how buyers get the grant to flow at settlement (buying) or at the first progress draw/final draw (building), depending on your lender’s process. 
• Apply directly to QRO: If you apply directly, payment occurs after completion, when your name is on title (buying) or when you have your final inspection certificate (building).
• Lodgement window: Apply within 12 months of the completed eligible transaction (settlement/completion).
• Processing time (direct): once you’ve lodged a complete application with all supporting documents, allow about 10 business days for processing.
• Documents: ID, signed contract/building contract, evidence of title/occupancy, and other supporting items listed by QRO. Use the QRO checklist to avoid delays

Residency Rules You Must Follow

The grant is to help owner-occupiers, so you must move in and stay for a minimum period.

• Move in within 12 months of settlement/completion;
  Live there for at least 6 continuous months.

Can You Rent Out a Room?

Yes, after you meet the grant’s principal place of residence test, renting a room is generally compatible with FHOG; however:

• If you rent before moving in, QRO warns you can keep the grant but you may lose transfer duty concessions, the grant and concessions are separate benefits with different rules.
• From a tax perspective, renting out part of your home can reduce your CGT main-residence exemption later. Get advice before you list that spare room.

Other Incentives for First-Home Buyers in QLD

A short intro: FHOG is just one lever. Queensland updated stamp duty concessions and launched a shared-equity program that can meaningfully change your “buy now vs later” maths.

Stamp Duty Concessions & Exemptions

• New homes & vacant land (to build): From 1 May 2025, eligible first-home buyers get a full transfer (stamp) duty concession, that’s no duty, with no value cap for the home or residential land.
• Established homes: The first home concession gives full duty exemption up to $700,000, with the concession phasing out to $800,000 (contracts dated on/after 9 June 2024). Above $800k, the standard home concession may still apply. Check QRO’s calculator for exact numbers.

FHOG requires a new home, but established homes can still be attractive if stamp duty is nil or reduced under the $700,000–$800,000 band.

Boost to Buy Scheme (Shared Equity)

Queensland’s Boost to Buy is a state shared-equity scheme designed to reduce the deposit gap:

• Government equity contribution: up to 30% on new homes (and published settings indicate up to 25% on eligible existing homes), typically with as little as a 2% deposit, subject to income caps and price caps (published information references up to $1 million).
• Status & how to apply: the scheme has launched with strong demand and EOIs via Queensland Treasury/“A Place to Call Home”. Always check the current eligibility, caps and application steps

Stacking benefits: You can combine FHOG with transfer duty concessions and, if eligible, Boost to Buy. QRO also notes the national Home Guarantee schemes are separate and don’t affect FHOG eligibility. 

Common Mistakes & Pitfalls to Avoid

Small missteps can delay payment or cost you the grant/concessions.

• Buying over $750k total value for FHOG, easy to miss once you add land + variations. 
• Missing the 12-month lodgement window after completion. Set reminders early
• Not meeting residency (move-in within 12 months, stay 6 months). Keep evidence (utilities, rates, licence address) in case QRO seeks verification. 
• Confusing FHOG with stamp duty concessions. You can rent before moving in and keep FHOG, but you’ll likely lose the transfer duty concession. 
• Overlooking tax impacts of renting out a room, partial CGT may apply later

FAQ

Related reading

• Stamp Duty: Rates, Exemptions & Transfer Duty (2025 Guide)

• Conveyancing Cost & Fees in Australia (State-by-State Guide) 

• A Guide to Contract of Sale for Real Estate Purchases 

• Property Settlement Process Explained

• Top 5 Buyer’s Agents in Brisbane (2025) 

• Housing Affordability Calculator