South Australia

South Australian First Home Owner Grant

From 13 February 2025, changes to eligibility criteria for the first home owner grant have come into effect. 

The first home owner grant is a one-off payment of up to $15,000 for eligible first home owners by the State Government.  It is intended for eligible applicants who are buying or building a new residential property  which will be used as a principal place of residence in South Australia. 

The eligibility criteria for the first home owner grant is similar to stamp duty relief for eligible first home buyers, but you must apply for each separately.  If you don't qualify for the first home owner grant, you may still qualify for stamp duty relief.

Applications for the first home owner grant can be made at any time from the commencement of the eligible transaction but must be made within 12 months of completion of the eligible transaction. The date you will be paid the grant depends on whether you are building or buying, whether you lodge your application through an approved agent or you lodge your application yourself to RevenueSA, and when your application is approved.

Eligible properties

The first home owner grant applies to:

• the purchase or construction of a new home
• an off-the-plan apartment
• a substantially renovated home
• a comprehensive building contract or a contract to build a home 
• owner builders
• knock-down rebuild projects (for contracts entered into prior to 13 February 2025)

Conditions and eligibility criteria apply.  Property value caps may apply, depending on when you enter or entered into your contract.

Find out more about eligible properties.

Eligible applicants

The first home owner grant may be available where each applicant is both:

• at least 18 years of age at the time of making an application
• a natural person.

In addition, at least one of the applicants must be either:

• an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia
• a  New Zealand citizen permanently residing in Australia who holds a Special Category visa.

Other criteria regarding eligible applicants apply.

Important: You must include your spouse or domestic partner's details on your application as their circumstances may affect your eligibility.  This applies even if they are not an applicant and will not own (hold a relevant interest) in the home.

Find out more about eligible applicants.

Property ownership

If you entered into your 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 owned (hold or held a relevant interest Link to definition in) an Australian residential property.

If you entered into your contract before 13 February 2025:

• you may be eligible for the first home owner grant if you if you or your spouse or domestic partner owned or had previously owned (hold or held a relevant interest Link to definition in) an Australian residential property after 1 July 2000 and did not reside in the residential property for 6 months or longer.
• You will not be eligible for the first home owner grant if you or your spouse or domestic partner own or have owned (hold or held a relevant interest Link to definition in) an Australian residential property and that property was purchased or acquired before 1 July 2000, regardless of whether you lived in the home or not.

Other criteria regarding property ownership apply.

Find out more about current or previous property ownership.

Residence requirement

All applicants must reside in the home as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least 6 months commencing within 12 months after completion of the eligible transaction.

If you are unable to meet your 6 month residence requirement because of a change in circumstances, you must tell us in writing within 14 days of the change.  Penalties may apply if you receive the first home owner grant and are not eligible for it.

Grant details

A one-off payment of up to $15,000 is available to assist eligible applicants to buy or build a new residential property.

Only one grant is available per eligible transaction Link to definition to purchase or build a residential home.

The time at which you will receive the grant depends on whether you lodge your application with an approved agent or with RevenueSA.

More Information:

https://www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au