The First Home Owner Grant WA pays eligible buyers $10,000, and the property value cap that decides who qualifies just went up. Here’s the correct current cap, why some guides still show the old number, and what else changed alongside it.
Quick Answer: First Home Owner Grant WA
The First Home Owner Grant WA is a one-off $10,000 payment for eligible first home buyers building or buying a new home. As of May 7, 2026, the property value cap sits at $800,000 for homes south of the 26th parallel, which covers the Perth metro area, and $1,000,000 for homes further north. A couple of older guides still quote the previous $750,000 cap, so always check the date on whatever source you’re reading.
1. The Grant Amount and Who Qualifies
- $10,000 per eligible transaction. This applies to new homes only, not established properties.
- No income or asset test. So your eligibility doesn’t depend on how much you earn or already own in savings.
- You must be 18 or older. At least one applicant also needs to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- You can’t have owned residential property before. This condition generally applies going back to July 1, 2000.
- You must live in the home. A continuous six-month stretch is required, starting within 12 months of completion.
2. The Property Value Cap That Actually Applies Now
- $800,000 south of the 26th parallel. This covers Perth and the southern half of WA, effective from May 7, 2026.
- $1,000,000 north of the 26th parallel. This higher cap applies to regional and northern parts of the state.
- The previous cap was $750,000. So if a guide still quotes that figure, it’s likely outdated content written before the May 2026 change.
- This cap is expected to hold until June 2028. So buyers currently have a fairly long runway before the threshold might shift again.
3. What Else Changed on the Same Day
- Stamp duty exemptions expanded too. The threshold for vacant land purchases rose from $350,000 to $450,000 alongside the grant cap increase.
- Both changes landed together. So a buyer purchasing land and building a home could benefit from both the higher grant cap and the wider stamp duty exemption at once.
- This makes house-and-land packages more accessible. More properties across Perth and regional WA now fall under both thresholds than before.
- Always check both figures together. Since they moved on the same date, checking one without the other could leave money on the table.
4. Stacking the Grant With Other WA Schemes
- Stamp duty concessions can apply on top. Many first home buyers qualify for reduced or waived stamp duty in addition to the $10,000 grant.
- Keystart low-deposit loans are worth checking. These can help buyers who don’t have a full standard deposit saved.
- Combining schemes adds up. So stacking the grant with stamp duty relief can meaningfully lower your total upfront cost.
- Eligibility rules can differ slightly between schemes. So check each program’s own criteria rather than assuming they all match the grant’s rules exactly.
For related reading, see our guides to US Housing Market Stays Stuck in Mid-6% Mortgage Rates as Pending Sales Slip.
FAQ: First Home Owner Grant WA
How much is the First Home Owner Grant in WA?
$10,000 for eligible first home buyers purchasing or building a new home, with no income or asset test.
What is the current property value cap for the WA FHOG?
$800,000 for homes south of the 26th parallel (including Perth), and $1,000,000 for homes further north, effective from May 7, 2026.
Why do some guides show a $750,000 cap instead?
That was the cap before May 7, 2026. Guides written or last updated before that date haven’t been refreshed with the new $800,000 figure.
Did anything else change alongside the grant cap increase?
Yes. The stamp duty exemption threshold for vacant land also rose, from $350,000 to $450,000, on the same date.
Can I combine the First Home Owner Grant with other WA schemes?
Yes, in most cases. Stamp duty concessions and Keystart low-deposit loans can often be combined with the grant, though each has its own eligibility rules.
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