There is no First Home Owner Grant in the ACT
First Home Owner Grant payments ceased in the ACT on 1 July 2019. If you signed a contract on or before 30 June 2019 you may still be able to claim it, but for any purchase since then there is no cash grant. The ACT was the first jurisdiction in Australia to drop the FHOG, and it redirected the money into stamp duty relief instead — which for most buyers is worth considerably more.
What you get instead — the Home Buyer Concession Scheme
| Detail | ACT |
|---|---|
| Cash grant | None since 1 July 2019 |
| Conveyance (stamp) duty | $0 from 1 July 2026 if eligible |
| Income threshold | None for transactions from 1 July 2026 |
| Price cap | None |
| Property type | New homes, established homes and vacant residential land |
| Residence requirement | Live there at least 12 months, starting within a year of settlement |
Stamp Duty Concessions for First Home Buyers — ACT
From 1 July 2026 the Home Buyer Concession Scheme gives eligible buyers a full exemption from conveyance duty, with no income threshold and no property price limit. Before that date an income test applied. All ACT residential property is eligible, including established homes and vacant land — you do not have to buy new.
To qualify you must be 18 or over, meet the prior-property requirements, and live in the home as your principal place of residence for at least 12 months, starting within one year of settlement (or of the certificate of occupancy for vacant land). The ACT Revenue Office runs compliance checks, and penalty tax or interest can apply if you claim the concession without meeting every requirement.
Additional Schemes
ACT is transitioning from stamp duty to annual land tax over 20 years. Buyers may opt into the new system.
Federal Schemes (Available Everywhere)
These federal programs stack on top of ACT state benefits:
| Scheme | Benefit |
|---|---|
| First Home Guarantee | Buy with 5% deposit, no LMI. No income caps. Unlimited places. |
| Help to Buy | Government co-owns up to 30–40%. You need as little as 2% deposit. Budget 2026-27 expansion: income caps lifted to $100k single / $160k couple; Sydney property cap $1.3M, Brisbane/Canberra $1M. Details → |
| FHSSS | Save for a deposit inside super at 15% tax. Withdraw up to $50,000. |
| Family Home Guarantee | Single parents: 2% deposit, no LMI. |
Eligibility — ACT
- You (and your partner) must never have owned residential property in Australia
- At least one applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- At least one applicant must be 18 or older
- You must live in the home as your principal residence for at least 12 continuous months
- You must move in within 12 months of settlement
- The property must meet ACT's value cap and property type requirements
How to Apply
Your bank, lender, or conveyancer usually handles the FHOG application as part of the settlement process. You don't need to apply separately to the state revenue office in most cases. Have your ID, contract of sale, and proof of citizenship ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the first home buyer grant in ACT?
The ACT has no First Home Owner Grant — payments ceased on 1 July 2019. Instead, from 1 July 2026 eligible first home buyers pay no conveyance (stamp) duty at all under the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, with no income threshold and no price cap.
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in ACT?
Home Buyer Concession Scheme: full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $1,000,000 (income thresholds apply).
Can I get the FHOG for an established home in ACT?
The FHOG is generally for new homes only. However, stamp duty concessions for established homes may be available — check the state revenue office for current eligibility.
Can I combine the FHOG with the First Home Guarantee?
Yes. The FHOG (state grant), First Home Guarantee (federal loan guarantee), stamp duty concessions, and FHSSS can all be used together. They're separate schemes from different levels of government.