The Northern Territory government made a splash when it announced its First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) was being replaced with a HomeGrown Territory Grant of $50,000 for first homebuyers building or buying a new home.
The payment applies to first home buyers purchasing or building a new home, with the application period now extending to 30 September 2026.
The HomeGrown Territory grant also extends the NT's previous First Home Owner Grant, now providing a $10,000 payment to first home buyers purchasing established homes.
Those who don't qualify as first home buyers may be eligible for a FreshStart New Home Grant of $30,000 to buy or build a new home.
This article will cover assistance specifically targeted at first home buyers in the NT.
How does the NT HomeGrown Territory Grant work?
The Territory government payment of $50,000 is available to eligible first home buyers building their own homes or making off-the-plan purchases. It can also be used for a new transportable home, as long as the home is permanently fixed and legally approved to live in.
There is no cap on the build or purchase price.
To be eligible, you must:
- be a first-home buyer (not have owned a home before anywhere else in Australia)
- sign a contract to buy or build a home in the Territory between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2026
- it must not replace other contracts signed before 1 October 2024
- the home must have never been previously lived in or sold as a place of residence
- be a person and not a company or trustee
- have at least one person over the age of 18
- ensure one applicant is an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- live in the home for at least 12 months after taking possession of the property (name is on the title) or once construction of the home is complete
All owners of the home must meet the eligibility requirements.
Grant for established home purchasers
The HomeGrown Territory grant also extends the First Home Owner Grant of $10,000 for first home buyers purchasing established homes.
The same criteria applies and there is also no cap on the purchase price.
It's important to note that HomeGrown Territory Grants can't be used in conjunction with the $30,000 FreshStart New Home Grant aimed at existing home owners.
Details regarding eligibility and accessing payments are available via the NT government's home owner assistance website.
How do you apply for the NT First Home Owner Grant?
There are two ways to lodge your application.
Through your financial institution: Generally the lender that is providing your finance.
Through the Territory Revenue Office (TRO): Fill in the application form (with all the required supporting documents) and mail or email it to the TRO.
When will the grant be paid?
If you apply through your financial institution, the grant will be paid to your lender once your eligibility is confirmed.
If applying through the Territory Revenue Office, the grant will be paid:
- after settlement when purchasing a property
- after the foundation is laid when building
For owner-builders, the grant will be paid once the certificate of occupancy is issues.
Can you use the grant towards your deposit?
The NT government says you can ask your financial institution to release the grant early to help with your deposit.
This, of course, will be subject to the standard financial approval process and your lender's policies.
Access to low deposit home loans
HomeBuild Access is a Northern Territory government initiative to provide access to low-deposit home loan options for:
- new-built homes
- the purchase of vacant land for people to build their own homes
There are limits to the purchase price for properties using HomeBuild Access, as follows:
- properties with up to 2 bedrooms, maximum purchase price is $475,000
- properties with 3 or more bedrooms, maximum purchase price is $550,000
Find more details on HomeBuild Access via the Northern Territory government website. Also see the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme below.
If you're in the market for a low deposit home loan, the table below features some of the most competitive interest rates on the market for 90% LVR (10% deposit) home loans.
| Lender | Home Loan | Interest Rate | Comparison Rate* | Monthly Repayment | Repayment type | Rate Type | Offset | Redraw | Ongoing Fees | Upfront Fees | Max LVR | Lump Sum Repayment | Extra Repayments | Split Loan Option | Tags | Features | Link | Compare | Promoted Product | Disclosure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.94% p.a. | 5.98% p.a. | $2,978 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $530 | 90% |
| Promoted | Disclosure | ||||||||||
6.39% p.a. | 6.42% p.a. | $3,124 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $845 | 90% | |||||||||||||
6.79% p.a. | 7.16% p.a. | $3,256 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $450 | 90% | Disclosure | ||||||||||||
7.09% p.a. | 7.09% p.a. | $3,357 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $160 | 90% | Disclosure |
Do first home buyers get stamp duty discounts in NT?
There are no stamp duty exemptions or concessions specifically for first home owners in the Northern Territory. However, if you buy a house and land package in the NT, you may be eligible for a stamp duty exemption under the Territory's House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).
To be eligible, you must:
- buy a house and land package from a building contractor in a single transaction
- sign the contract between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2027
Under the contract, the building contractor agrees to sell land to the purchaser and do one of the following:
- build or place a detached, new home on the land being conveyed
- complete the building of a partially completed and detached new home on the land being conveyed
- transfer ownership of a completed and detached new home on the land being conveyed
The building contractor must have bought the land from a developer and paid stamp duty on the dutiable value of the land.
The exemption is not means tested and there is no cap on the value of the property.
At least one applicant for the HLPE must live in the home as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of six months within 12 months of the home being completed.
Applications can be made via the Territory Revenue Office.
What other schemes and grants are available in NT?
Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme
The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, formerly the Home Guarantee Scheme, provides the opportunity for first home buyers to secure a home loan with as little as 5% deposit without the need for lenders mortgage insurance (LMI).
Essentially, the federal government acts as a guarantor for up to 15% of the property's value on a loan taken out through a participating lender.
The guarantee is not a cash payment, nor does it go towards your home loan deposit. Rather it is a legal arrangement that would see the government step in to pay up to a certain amount should you ever default on your home loan.
The scheme, administered by Housing Australia, is available for eligible Australian citizens or permanent residents who haven't previously owned property.
From 1 October 2025, places in the Scheme are unlimited and there are no income caps. There are, however, property price caps that differ according to location.
The 5% Deposit Scheme takes in the former First Home Guarantee, Regional First Home Guarantee, and Family Home Guarantee. The latter allows eligible single parents the opportunity to purchase their own homes with deposits as low as 2%.
The First Home Super Saver Scheme
The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS) helps first home buyers save a home deposit by taking advantage of tax discounts that superannuation can offer. Essentially, it allows first home savers to salary sacrifice up to $15,000 per year towards the scheme at a discounted tax rate of only 15% (instead of their usual marginal tax rate).
When participants are ready to buy a house, up to $50,000 can be released from the scheme, plus any earnings.
Read more about state First Home Owner/Buyer Grants in other Australian states: