First Home Buyer Settlement in WA: Grants, Concessions & the Settlement Process 

If you’re a first home buyer in Western Australia, the First Home Owner Grant and the first home buyer duty concessions can make a real difference at settlement. Here’s what they’re worth, who can get them, and how your settlement agent handles them on the day. 

Quick answer: The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in Western Australia is a one-off payment of up to $10,000 for eligible buyers building or buying a new home. It only applies to new or substantially renovated homes, not established properties. First home buyers may also qualify for a separate duty concession on the transfer duty payable at settlement. Both are assessed and paid by the WA Office of State Revenue, and your settlement agent coordinates the paperwork so the grant and any concession are factored in before settlement day. 

This guide covers what the FHOG is worth, who typically qualifies, how it applies to established homes, how it’s handled at settlement, and where transfer duty concessions fit in. For the full walkthrough of every stage of a WA property transaction, see our guide to the property settlement process. 

What Is the First Home Owner Grant in WA? 

The First Home Owner Grant in Western Australia is a one-off payment of up to $10,000 (the grant is $10,000, or the purchase price if that’s lower). It’s available to eligible first home buyers building a new home, or buying one that’s never been lived in before. The WA Office of State Revenue funds and administers the grant, not your settlement agent or your lender.

There’s a property value cap attached to the grant. For homes south of the 26th parallel (which covers greater Perth), the cap is $800,000. The WA Government raised this cap from $750,000 as part of its 2026-27 Housing Taxation Package, effective for eligible transactions from 7 May 2026 onward.

The grant amount and cap can change with each state budget. It’s worth checking the current figures directly with the WA Office of State Revenue before you rely on them for your own purchase. The up to $10,000 grant and $800,000 cap are current as of July 2026. Verify the latest figures at wa.gov.au before relying on this information. 

FHOG Eligibility in WA: Who Typically Qualifies? 

A settlement agent cannot determine whether you qualify for the FHOG. The WA Office of State Revenue assesses eligibility, and the list below is a general guide, not a determination of your own situation. 

Generally, to be considered for the FHOG in Western Australia, applicants: 

  • Must be buying or building their first home in Australia (neither applicant nor their spouse or de facto partner can have previously owned residential property in Australia, subject to some exceptions)
  • Must be at least 18 years old at the time of application
  • Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or applying with someone who is)
  • Must intend to live in the home as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least six months,generally starting within 12 months of settlement 
  • Must be buying or building a new home, or asubstantially renovated home, not an established property 

Because eligibility depends on individual circumstances, including prior property ownership and residency status, we recommend checking your position directly with the WA Office of State Revenue before you sign a contract. 

Does the FHOG Apply to Established Homes in WA? 

No. The FHOG in Western Australia applies only to new homes, homes being built, or homes that have been substantially renovated. If you’re buying an established home, meaning one that’s already been lived in and hasn’t been substantially renovated, you won’t be eligible for the FHOG itself. 

This is one of the most common points of confusion for first home buyers. You may still be eligible for the separate first home buyer duty concession on an established home (covered below), even though the grant itself doesn’t apply. The two benefits work differently, and it’s common to qualify for one but not the other. 

Property type  FHOG (grant)  Duty concession 
New home or house and land package  Eligible  May be eligible 
Substantially renovated home  Eligible  May be eligible 
Established home  Not eligible  May still be eligible 

How the FHOG Is Applied at Settlement 

If you’re eligible, the FHOG isn’t paid to you directly as cash in hand before settlement. In most cases, it’s applied at settlement itself, reducing the amount you need to contribute on the day. 

Here’s generally how it works: your settlement agent lodges the FHOG application with the WA Office of State Revenue as part of preparing your file. Once approved, the WA Office of State Revenue typically releases the grant funds through the settlement process, alongside your loan funds and any other contributions. This coordination is one of the reasons a clear, itemised quote from your settlement agent matters. When you request a settlement agent fee quote, it’s worth confirming upfront whether grant and concession handling is included or billed separately. 

Timing can vary depending on how quickly the WA Office of State Revenue processes the application, and how your loan is structured with your lender. Ask your settlement agent and your mortgage broker early how the grant will be factored into your settlement figures. 

First Home Buyer Transfer Duty Concessions in WA 

Alongside the FHOG, first home buyers in Western Australia may also be eligible for a concession on transfer duty, the state government tax payable on the transfer of property ownership. This is separate from the FHOG and has its own thresholds. 

As it currently stands, eligible first home buyers purchasing in the Perth metropolitan area generally pay no duty on homes valued up to $500,000, with a concessional rate applying up to $700,000. These thresholds are set to rise under the WA Government’s 2026-27 Housing Taxation Package, though the increase hadn’t taken effect at the time of publishing. We’ll cover the full breakdown of current and upcoming duty concession thresholds, including off-the-plan and pensioner rates, in a dedicated guide soon.

A settlement agent can lodge your duty concession claim as part of the transfer process, but cannot advise on whether you qualify. That determination sits with the WA Office of State Revenue. Verify the current thresholds directly at wa.gov.au before relying on them for your own purchase. 

The Settlement Process for First Home Buyers: Step by Step 

Buying your first home comes with its own settlement process, plus a couple of extra steps for the grant and concession paperwork: 

  1. Contract signed. You agree on price, terms, and a settlement date with the seller. 
  2. Finance approved. Your mortgage broker or lender confirms your loan, making the contract unconditional. 
  3. FHOG and duty concession applications prepared. Your settlement agent lodges these with the WA Office of State Revenue alongside your standard settlement paperwork. 
  4. Title and rates searches completed. Your settlement agent checks the title for encumbrances or issues that need resolving before settlement. 
  5. The PEXA workspace opens. In the days before settlement, your settlement agent, the seller’s settlement agent, and your lender lodge documents and funds electronically through PEXA, Western Australia’s electronic settlement platform. 
  6. Settlement day. Funds and title transfer electronically. Your settlement agent factors your grant and any duty concession into the figures they’ve prepared, and your real estate agent arranges key handover once settlement is confirmed. 

If you’re new to the process altogether, our guide to the property settlement process walks through each stage from offer to settlement day in more detail. 

Perth Property Show: Property Finance Tips 

Grants and concessions are only part of the finance picture. On Perth Property Show, Episode 265, host Trent Fleskens covers general property finance tactics, including ways to improve your loan serviceability, avoid Lender’s Mortgage Insurance, and find a more competitive interest rate. It’s a useful listen alongside this guide, particularly if you’re weighing up your deposit and borrowing position before you start house hunting. 

For the lending and pre-approval side of your purchase specifically, a mortgage broker in Perth can walk you through your borrowing position before you start house hunting. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How much is the First Home Owner Grant in WA? 

The FHOG in Western Australia, also known as the first-time home buyers grant, is a one-off payment of up to $10,000 for eligible first home buyers building or buying a new home. It doesn’t apply to established homes. The WA Government sets this figure and can change it, so check the current amount at wa.gov.au before relying on it. 

Can I get the FHOG on an established home in WA? 

No. The FHOG applies only to new homes, homes under construction, or substantially renovated homes. If you’re buying an established property, you won’t qualify for the grant itself, though you may still be eligible for a separate duty concession. 

Is the FHOG the same as the Australian Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme or Help to Buy Scheme? 

No. The FHOG is a Western Australian state government payment. The 5% Deposit Scheme and the Help to Buy Scheme are separate Australian Government initiatives that help eligible buyers purchase with a smaller deposit or with government co-ownership. Some buyers can use more than one scheme on the same purchase, but eligibility for each is assessed separately, so check with the relevant government body for each one. 

Who decides if I’m eligible for the FHOG or duty concession? 

The WA Office of State Revenue determines eligibility for both the FHOG and the first home buyer duty concession, not your settlement agent. Your settlement agent can lodge the applications as part of your settlement, but can’t advise on whether you’ll be approved. 

Do I need to apply for the FHOG myself? 

In most cases, your settlement agent lodges the FHOG application with the WA Office of State Revenue as part of preparing your settlement file. It’s worth confirming with your settlement agent early in the process so the application is lodged in time for settlement. 

Is the FHOG paid before or at settlement? 

The FHOG is typically applied through the settlement process itself, reducing the amount you need to contribute on settlement day, rather than being paid to you as cash beforehand. Timing depends on Office of State Revenue processing and your loan structure. 

Does the FHOG cover the full cost of transfer duty? 

No. The FHOG and the first home buyer duty concession are two separate benefits. The grant is a fixed payment toward the purchase; the duty concession reduces or removes the transfer duty payable, depending on the property’s value. Many first home buyers are eligible for both, but eligibility for each is assessed separately by the WA Office of State Revenue. 

What happens if I don’t meet the FHOG residence requirement after settlement? 

If you’re approved for the FHOG but don’t end up occupying the home as your principal place of residence for the required period, you may be required to repay the grant and could face penalties. If your circumstances change and you won’t be able to meet the requirement, notify the WA Office of State Revenue in writing as soon as this becomes apparent, generally within 30 days. 

Buying Your First Home in WA? 

If you’re working through grants, concessions, and settlement all at once, having an experienced settlement agent on your file can take a lot of the guesswork out of the process. Get a settlement quote from Strategic Settlements, and we’ll walk you through how your FHOG and any duty concession fit into your settlement figures. 

Prefer to talk it through first? Contact us and our team can answer your questions directly. 

*The information in this article is general in nature and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Strategic Settlements is a licensed settlement agent and cannot provide legal advice. Individual circumstances vary. We recommend consulting a qualified professional, including a solicitor, tax adviser, or the WA Office of State Revenue, before making property decisions.*