- Eligible first home buyers can receive up to $15,000 to help purchase or build a new residential property.
- The grant applies only to new homes, not established homes or vacant land.
- Applicants must meet age, residency, and property ownership requirements, and only one grant is available per property transaction.
Buying property in South Australia has become an increasingly attractive option, with Adelaide leading the charge through remarkable long-term growth, with house prices surging by more than 500% since 2000.
Backed by a diverse economy, abundant natural resources, and strong rental demand, the state offers a stable environment for first home buyers.
South Australia's first home owner grant is a one-off payment designed to help eligible first home owners with the cost of building or buying a new home.
What is the SA First Home Owner Grant?
The South Australian FHOG provides eligible first home buyers with up to $15,000 towards the purchase or construction of a new residential home.
To receive the grant, you must be either:
- building a new home on vacant land or
- purchasing a newly constructed residential property
The grant is not available for the purchase of vacant land but houses, units, townhouses, duplexes, or off-the-plan apartments are all eligible purchases. Knock-down rebuild projects may also qualify but only for contracts entered into before 13 February 2025.
The grant is unavailable to those purchasing an established home. In some cases though, substantial renovations might be enough to qualify the property as new. But if you're borrowing to renovate an existing home, you will not be eligible.
There is no means test on income or assets to qualify for the grant, and as of 6 June 2024, there is also no cap on the property value. This means all eligible first home owners can get the grant regardless of the price of their home. (For property price caps before that date, see below.)
It's important to note that there is only one grant available per property transaction. So, even if you're buying with a spouse or partner, you're still only eligible for one $15,000 payment.
How do you qualify for the First Home Owner Grant in SA?
To be eligible for the grant:
All applicants need to be at least 18 years of age at the time of making their application
At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen permanently residing in Australia on a Special Category Visa
All applicants must include their spouse's or domestic partner's details on their application, as their circumstances may affect their eligibility. This applies even if they are not an applicant and are not going to hold an interest in the home.
Property ownership requirement
For those entering into a contract on or after 13 February 2025:
you will not be eligible for the first home owner grant if you or your spouse or domestic partner own or have previously held an interest in Australian residential property
For those entering into a contract before 13 February 2025:
- you may be eligible for the first home owner grant if you or your spouse or domestic partner owned or had previously owned an Australian residential property after 1 July 2000 and did not reside there for six months or longer
You will not be eligible if you or your partner owned an Australian residential property purchased before 1 July 2000, regardless of whether you live there or not.
Residence requirement
All applicants must reside in the home as the principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least six months. This must be done within 12 months of the date of settlement or the date construction is completed.
Competitive home loan rates
If you're looking for a home loan to buy a first property, the table below features some of the most competitive owner occupier interest rates on the market.
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
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How do you apply for the SA First Home Owner Grant?
The most common way to apply for the SA FHOG is through an 'approved agent'. This basically means the bank or credit union providing your finance lodges the application on your behalf. If you need the grant before settlement or the first progress payment, you'll need to lodge through your agent.
If you can't lodge through an approved agent (if you aren't getting a loan, for example, or your lender isn't on the approved list), applications for the SA FHOG can be made through the RevenueSA website by completing the First Home Owner Grant Application and Lodgement Guide.
You'll need to provide information based on your circumstances, which will include:
- 100 points of ID (birth certificate, passport, drivers license).
- Evidence you live in Australia (Medicare Card, debt/credit card).
- Evidence of residential address (utility documents, insurance policies).
- Evidence of relationship (if applicable).
- Contract to purchase a new home or an off-the-plan home (if applicable).
- Contract to build a home (if applicable).
- Copy of all major receipts for building costs during the construction of the home (if applicable).
When will the grant be paid?
If applying through Revenue SA, the grant will be paid:
Within five days after approval of the application and evidence has been provided showing settlement has taken place when purchasing a new home or an off-the-plan home.
Within five days after approval of the application and evidence providing foundations have been laid, when you have a contract to build.
Within five days of RevenueSA approving the application and all evidence has been provided, if you're an owner-builder.
If applying through an approved agent, the grant will be paid:
At the date of settlement, when purchasing a new home or an off-the-plan home.
On the date of first progress payment by Approved Agent, when you have a contract to build.
When an application with evidence has been provided to the Approved Agent, along with paperwork confirming the home is complete and ready to live in, if you're an owner-builder.
Can you use the grant for a deposit?
RevenueSA states there are no requirements as to how you use the grant so you could put the grant towards a deposit, but it's unlikely to cover the entire amount.
Lenders might also prefer to see evidence of genuine savings to demonstrate your financial discipline.
Can first home buyers get stamp duty discounts in SA?
The South Australia government introduced stamp duty relief for eligible first home buyers on 1 June 2023. The eligibility criteria is similar to the first home owner grant, but applicants must apply for each separately.
Unlike in many states and territories in Australia, stamp duty relief is not available for the purchase of an established home.
Property price caps
For contracts entered into on or after 6 June 2024, no property price cap applies to first home owners claiming stamp duty relief.
For contracts emtered into between 15 June 2023 and 5 June 2024, relief is only available on:
- a new home with a market value of under $700,000
- vacant land that has a market value of under $450,000
According to RevenueSA, if you are eligible for the FHOG, you will likely be eligible for relief, while some people who aren't eligible for the FHOG may still qualify for relief.
Prior property ownership
Similar to the FHOG criteria, there are also some restrictions on claiming stamp duty relief according to previously owned properties:
For those entering into a contract on or after 13 February 2025:
you will not be eligible for stamp duty relief if you or your spouse or domestic partner own or have previously held an interest in Australian residential property
For those entering into a contract before 13 February 2025:
- you may be eligible for stamp duty relief if you or your spouse or domestic partner owned or had previously owned an Australian residential property after 1 July 2000 and did not reside there for six months or longer
The same residency requirements apply to stamp duty relief as to the first home owner grant. All applicants must live in the home as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of six months, commending within 12 months of settlement.
What other schemes and grants are available for first home buyers use?
In addition to the SA FHOG and stamp duty relief, there are some federal government incentives that can assist eligible first home buyers.
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 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 potentially available for 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 and stamp duty concessions in other Australian states:
- Victoria first home buyer grants
- NSW first home owner grants
- Queensland first home buyer grants
- WA first home buyer grants
- Tasmania first home buyer grants
- Northern Territory first home owner grants
Frequently Asked Questions
You generally can’t use the FHOG on established properties as it’s designed to support purchases of new builds, off‑the‑plan homes, or major renovations.
The FHOG can reduce how much you need to save upfront, but it doesn’t replace the requirement for a genuine deposit. Lenders are still expecting that you'll contribute most of it yourself, and you’ll need a minimum of 20% to avoid paying LMI.
Yes, if you fail to meet the residency or eligibility conditions after settlement, the FHOG can be revoked, and you may be required to repay the grant. Revenue offices regularly conduct audits to check if conditions are being met.