First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) Scheme: Application Form and Lodgement Guide for New Homes (OFH 001)

The First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) is a $10,000 grant (s 18 of the First Home Owner Grant and Shared Equity Act 2000) for buying or building a first new home in NSW: newly built, bought off the plan or substantially renovated, but not established homes. OFH 001 is the application for eligible transactions that commenced on or after 1 July 2017 and before 1 July 2023. For those, the total value cannot exceed $600,000 for buying a new home or $750,000 for building one (land plus the building contract, or owner builder) (s 13A). The form states that at least one applicant must live in the home as their principal place of residence for 6 continuous months, starting within 12 months of completion. Applicants and their spouses must not have received a first home owner grant under the Act or a corresponding law, owned residential property before 1 July 2000, or lived for 6 continuous months in a residential property they held an interest in (ss 10, 11).

When you need it

• You signed a contract to buy a new home, or a comprehensive home building contract, on or after 1 July 2017 and before 1 July 2023.
• You are an owner builder who started laying foundations in that period.
• Every person who will hold a relevant interest in the home is applying, each is 18 or over and not holding as trustee, and at least one is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• For contracts from 1 July 2023 use OFH 002, which has a 12-month residence requirement (s 12).

1. 1

   Section 1: eligibility

   Answer the seven yes or no questions for every applicant and spouse or partner, as at the commencement date of the eligible transaction.

2. 2

   Section 2: applicant details

   State how many people will hold a relevant interest, whether any are related to the vendor or builder, any ADF residence exemption claim, and each applicant's identity, other names, birth details, addresses and spouse status.

3. 3

   Section 3: spouse or partner

   A spouse or partner who will not hold an interest in the home completes their details here and signs the declaration.

4. 4

   Section 4: property and transaction

   Give the address and lot and plan details, the date you started or intend to start living there, and the transaction type with its questions (first sale, bought from the builder, first occupant, substantially renovated, or replacing demolished premises). Enter the contract price or construction cost and, for a building contract, the land value with evidence. Rates and council valuations are not accepted.

5. 5

   Section 5: payment details

   Only if you are applying directly through Revenue NSW: nominate the account for the electronic payment. Leave blank if an approved agent is lodging.

6. 6

   Sections 7 and 8: declaration and checklist

   Every applicant and spouse or partner signs. Attach the proof of identity and transaction evidence listed in the guide, such as the contract, a vendor statement that it is the first sale, the building contract and final builder's statement, the occupation certificate and a title search.

• If you need the grant at settlement or for the first drawdown or progress payment, lodge through the approved agent (usually your lender) that is providing your finance.
• Otherwise apply after completion through the FHOG customer portal at firsthome.gov.au, within 12 months of settlement or completion of construction. Owner builders, terms contracts and related party purchases must lodge with Revenue NSW.
• When you lodge through Revenue NSW, the grant is paid within 15 working days of a complete application, after completion.
• If you disagree with a decision, Revenue NSW says you can lodge an objection or request a reassessment within 60 days.

• One grant is payable per transaction, not per person (s 7(4)).
• Disclose all previous names, including married names. Revenue NSW checks ownership records in every state.
• If the grant was paid before you met the residence requirement and you cannot move in within 12 months or stay for the required period, notify Revenue NSW and repay the grant within 14 days after the period allowed ends (s 20(3)). Revenue NSW says a fine of up to $11,000 can apply.
• Leaving the home vacant, or living elsewhere during renovations, does not meet the residence requirement.