Your first home could qualify for a $10,000 government grant, but the right property and purchase structure matter. This guide to the first home owners grant in Western Australia explains eligibility, application rules, stamp duty savings, property value caps and how Keystart may help you finance your first home.
Buying your first property involves more than saving a deposit. You also need to understand government assistance, construction requirements, settlement costs and lender approval. Below, you’ll learn how Western Australia’s grant and transfer duty concessions work together, where buyers commonly make mistakes, and how to plan your finances confidently.
Key Takeaways – First Home Owners Grant WA
| Key Area | What You Need To Know |
| Grant amount | Eligible applicants may receive $10,000 for a qualifying new home in Western Australia. |
| Existing homes | The grant generally does not cover established homes, even if you have never owned property. |
| Property location | The property must satisfy the applicable Western Australian location and value requirements. |
| Stamp duty | Eligible first-home buyers may receive a full exemption or concessional rate, depending on the property’s dutiable value. |
| Occupancy | You must meet the principal place of residence requirements and applicable occupancy deadlines. |
| Application | You can generally apply through an approved financial institution or directly through RevenueWA, depending on your circumstances. |
| Keystart | Eligible buyers may qualify for a Keystart home loan, subject to its lending criteria and available products. |
What Is The First Home Owners Grant In Western Australia?
The first home owners grant Western Australia scheme provides a one-off payment to eligible people buying or building their first new home.
The grant is administered by the Western Australian Government through RevenueWA. It aims to help eligible buyers enter the property market.
As of October 2026, the grant is worth $10,000. However, the amount payable cannot exceed the consideration paid for the home or its construction when that amount is lower.
For example, if your eligible transaction costs $9,000, the grant cannot exceed $9,000. If your eligible transaction costs $800,000, the grant remains $10,000.
Importantly, this is a state government grant, not a discount on your purchase price. You must satisfy the eligibility rules before receiving it.
Who Is Eligible For The $10,000 Grant?
Your eligibility depends on your ownership history, age, citizenship, property type and intended occupancy.
RevenueWA assesses each application against the relevant legislation and supporting evidence. Therefore, meeting one requirement does not guarantee approval.
First Home Buyer Eligibility Criteria
You generally need to satisfy these conditions:
- First-home ownership: You and your spouse or de facto partner must meet the applicable previous ownership rules. Certain earlier property ownership can disqualify you, even if you never received a grant.
- Age requirement: Every applicant must be at least 18 years old when applying. Special rules may apply to certain circumstances, so confirm these directly with RevenueWA.
- Citizenship or residency: At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Additional conditions apply to the other applicants.
- Property use: You must intend to occupy the property as your principal place of residence. Buying a property purely for investment does not satisfy this requirement.
- Eligible transaction: Your purchase or construction must meet the scheme’s definition of a new home. An ordinary established dwelling generally does not qualify.
- Property value: The transaction must remain within the applicable grant cap. RevenueWA assesses the relevant property and land values under its rules.
You should also check whether your circumstances affect the previous ownership test. For example, owning a home overseas may affect eligibility.
Does Your Partner’s Property History Matter?
Yes, your partner’s ownership history can affect your application.
RevenueWA considers the relevant applicant and spouse or de facto partner rules. You cannot automatically qualify simply because your name has never appeared on a property title.
Additionally, receiving a grant previously can affect your eligibility for another payment. Disclose your circumstances accurately rather than assuming you qualify.
Which Properties Qualify For The Grant?
The grant focuses on new residential homes, not ordinary purchases of established properties.
Eligible transactions can include buying a newly built home, entering a qualifying building contract or constructing a home yourself.
Property Types And Eligibility
| Property Type | Grant Eligibility |
| Newly built house | Potentially eligible if all requirements are met. |
| Newly built apartment | Potentially eligible if it qualifies as a new home and meets the applicable conditions. |
| House and land package | Potentially eligible when the transaction and construction arrangements qualify. |
| Vacant land alone | Not eligible because purchasing land without an eligible home does not qualify. |
| Established house | Not eligible for the grant, although duty concessions may still apply. |
| Substantially renovated home | May qualify if the renovations satisfy RevenueWA’s requirements. |
| Investment property | Not eligible when you do not intend to occupy it as your home. |
A property advertised as new does not automatically meet the grant definition. RevenueWA assesses the transaction and the home’s circumstances.
What Counts As A New Home?
A new home generally means a residence that has not previously been occupied or sold as a residence, subject to the scheme’s detailed rules.
Certain substantially renovated properties may also qualify. However, cosmetic improvements alone do not necessarily meet the required standard.
Before signing a contract, establish whether the property qualifies. Ask the seller or builder for supporting details and confirm any uncertainty with RevenueWA.
Western Australia Property Value Caps Explained
Property value caps determine whether your transaction qualifies for the grant.
The relevant cap depends on the home’s location and the transaction’s commencement date. The rules changed for eligible transactions commencing on or after 7 May 2026.
| Property Location | Grant Value Cap |
| South of the 26th parallel of south latitude, including Perth | $800,000 |
| North of the 26th parallel of south latitude | $1,000,000 |
These limits apply to eligible transactions commencing on or after 7 May 2026. Earlier transactions may be subject to previous thresholds.
The cap is not simply the advertised purchase price. RevenueWA uses specific valuation rules for purchases, building contracts and owner-builder arrangements.
For a house and land package, the relevant calculation generally includes the building contract value, including applicable variations, plus the land value.
For an owner-builder, the assessment generally considers the completed home’s unencumbered value and the land value.
Consequently, a package advertised below the cap could still require careful assessment if variations or other relevant amounts increase its value.
How Much Can You Save On Stamp Duty?
The grant is only one part of the potential savings available to eligible first-home buyers.
Western Australia also offers the First Home Owner Rate (FHOR), which reduces or removes transfer duty on qualifying property transactions.
Unlike the grant, the duty concession can apply to eligible established homes. Therefore, you may qualify for duty relief even when your property does not qualify for the $10,000 grant.
First Home Owner Rate Thresholds
For eligible transactions entered into on or after 7 May 2026, the current thresholds are:
| Property Type | No Duty Payable Up To | Maximum Value For Concession |
| Home, including established homes | $600,000 | $800,000 |
| Vacant land | $450,000 | $550,000 |
For homes valued above $600,000 and up to $800,000, concessional duty applies under the relevant rules. Vacant land valued above $450,000 and up to $550,000 can also qualify for a concession.
These thresholds reflect Western Australia’s announced 2026 changes. The applicable assessment depends on the transaction date and the rules in force for that transaction.
Read more: Stamp duty calculator Western Australia
Example: Buying A Home Worth $600,000
Suppose you purchase an eligible established home valued at $600,000.
If you meet the FHOR requirements and the relevant threshold applies, you may pay no transfer duty. However, the established home would not ordinarily qualify for the $10,000 grant.
Now consider a qualifying new home worth $600,000. You could potentially receive the $10,000 grant and qualify for the duty exemption.
This combination can significantly reduce your upfront costs. Nevertheless, you must satisfy each scheme’s separate eligibility requirements.
Example: Buying A Home Worth $800,000
Suppose you purchase a qualifying new home for $800,000 in Perth.
The property sits at the current grant cap for locations south of the 26th parallel. If you meet all other requirements, you may qualify for the $10,000 grant.
The home’s value also reaches the maximum threshold for the First Home Owner Rate. However, the concession is not a full exemption at this price.
How To Apply For The Grant
You can generally apply through an approved financial institution or directly through RevenueWA, depending on your transaction and circumstances.
Applying through an approved lender may allow the grant to be considered alongside your finance arrangements. However, approval of your home loan does not guarantee grant approval.
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Check your ownership history, residency status, intended occupancy and property type.
Also confirm the applicable value cap before signing a contract. This reduces the risk of relying on assistance that your transaction cannot receive.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
RevenueWA may require evidence supporting your identity, citizenship or residency, property transaction and intended occupancy.
Your supporting documents can vary depending on whether you purchase a completed home, build under contract or construct the property yourself.
Step 3: Choose Your Application Method
If you apply through an approved financial institution, ask about its process and timing. The lender may coordinate the grant application with your finance arrangements.
Alternatively, you can use RevenueWA’s official application information to determine the appropriate direct application process.
Step 4: Submit The Application On Time
RevenueWA states that you must apply within 12 months of completing the eligible transaction.
For a purchase, completion generally occurs when you become entitled to possession, usually at settlement. For a building contract, completion generally occurs when the home becomes ready for occupation.
The relevant commencement date determines which value cap applies. Therefore, do not confuse the date you sign your contract with the date your application deadline begins.
Step 5: Keep Your Records
Retain your signed contract, settlement documents, building paperwork and any requested supporting evidence.
These records can help RevenueWA assess your application and resolve questions about your transaction.
Start with the official application form and guidance.
How Keystart Can Help You Buy Your First Home
A government grant helps with upfront costs, but it does not replace the need for finance. This is where Keystart loans may become relevant.
Keystart is a Western Australian Government-backed home finance provider. It offers eligible buyers options designed to reduce barriers to home ownership.
Its products and eligibility settings can change, so check the current requirements before planning your purchase.
Keystart Low Deposit Home Loan
Keystart’s Low Deposit Home Loan may suit eligible buyers who cannot save a traditional 20% deposit.
As of October 2026, published settings include the following limits for its standard low-deposit product.
| Requirement | Metro And Regional Areas | Kimberley And Pilbara |
| Property price limit | $860,000 | $860,000 |
| Maximum single income | $155,000 | $225,000 |
| Maximum couple or family income | $228,000 | $285,000 |
These figures reflect Keystart’s published settings introduced in April 2026. Eligibility, assessment rules and product conditions still apply.
Visit Keystart’s Low Deposit Home Loan page for current details.
Can You Use The Grant Towards Your Deposit?
Potentially, yes. Keystart states that eligible applicants can use their grant funds towards their deposit.
This may help you reach the required contribution sooner. However, you must still demonstrate that you can afford repayments and satisfy the lender’s assessment.
Remember that a smaller deposit generally means borrowing a larger proportion of the property’s value. You should consider repayments, interest costs and other expenses before choosing a low-deposit option.
A Practical Keystart Finance Roadmap
You can approach the process in a sensible order:
- Review your budget: Calculate your regular income, expenses and existing debts before deciding what you can afford.
- Check Keystart’s criteria: Confirm the applicable income limits, property price caps and residency requirements for your circumstances.
- Estimate your available deposit: Include genuine savings and any assistance you may qualify for, without assuming an unapproved grant is guaranteed.
- Explore suitable properties: Compare eligible homes against your budget and the grant’s separate value cap.
- Seek finance approval: Understand your borrowing capacity and any conditions before committing to a purchase.
- Coordinate the grant application: Confirm when to apply and how the payment will be handled under your finance arrangements.
This approach helps you assess the complete purchase rather than focusing only on the grant amount.
Conclusion: Make Every First-Home Benefit Count
The first home owners grant western australia scheme can provide valuable assistance when you buy or build your first qualifying home.
However, the strongest outcome comes from understanding the grant alongside transfer duty concessions and suitable finance options.
Check the property value cap, confirm your eligibility and understand the occupancy requirements before signing a contract. Then assess whether a Keystart product or another suitable home loan can meet your needs.
With careful planning, you can avoid costly surprises and make better use of the assistance available to you.
Financial disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Government rules, eligibility criteria and lending conditions can change. Confirm your circumstances with RevenueWA, Keystart or an appropriately qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions About The First Home Owners Grant WA
1. How Much Is The First Home Owners Grant In Western Australia?
The grant is $10,000 for eligible applicants purchasing or building a qualifying new home. The payment cannot exceed the consideration paid when that amount is lower.
2. Can I Get The Grant When Buying An Established Home?
Generally, no. The grant covers eligible new homes and certain substantially renovated homes, not ordinary established properties. However, you may qualify for the First Home Owner Rate of duty.
3. What Is The Property Value Cap In Western Australia?
For eligible transactions commencing on or after 7 May 2026, the cap is $800,000 south of the 26th parallel and $1 million north of it. Earlier transactions may have different limits.
4. Can I Receive The Grant And A Stamp Duty Concession?
Potentially, yes. If you meet the requirements for both schemes, you may receive the $10,000 grant and a First Home Owner Rate duty concession.
5. Can I Use The Grant With A Keystart Home Loan?
Potentially, yes. Keystart states that eligible borrowers can use grant funds towards their deposit. You must still satisfy its lending criteria and the grant’s separate conditions.
6. How Long Do I Have To Apply?
You generally have 12 months from completion of the eligible transaction. The completion date depends on whether you purchase a home, build under contract or construct it yourself.
7. Do I Need A 20% Deposit To Receive The Grant?
No. The grant itself does not require you to save a 20% deposit. However, your lender determines the deposit and other finance requirements that apply to your application.
8. Are There Income Limits For The Grant?
No. The Western Australian grant does not have an income or assets test. However, lenders such as Keystart apply separate income limits and affordability assessments.
