First Home Owner Grant Tasmania 2026

What Is the First Home Owner Grant in Tasmania?

The Tasmanian First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a $30,000 payment from the state government to help eligible first home buyers purchase or build a new owner-occupied home. Administered by the State Revenue Office of Tasmania (SRO), this grant is the joint most generous in Australia, matching Queensland's $30,000 offering.

What makes Tasmania's FHOG particularly attractive is the combination of a generous grant amount and the state's relatively affordable property market. With Hobart's median house price remaining well below the mainland capital cities, the $30,000 grant represents a significant proportion of a typical deposit. On a $500,000 home, the grant alone provides 6% of the purchase price, exceeding the 5% minimum deposit required under the federal First Home Guarantee scheme.

Tasmania is also unique in that the FHOG does not have a strict property value cap in the same manner as most other states. The key requirement is that the home must be new and owner-occupied. This flexibility, combined with the generous grant amount, makes Tasmania one of the most supportive states for first home buyers in Australia.

TAS FHOG Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the $30,000 Tasmanian First Home Owner Grant, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (at least one applicant if purchasing jointly)
• You must be aged 18 years or older at the date of the transaction
• You (or your spouse/de facto partner) must not have previously owned residential property in Australia
• You (or your spouse/de facto partner) must not have previously received a first home owner grant in any Australian state or territory
• The home must be a new home — newly built, purchased off the plan, or substantially renovated
• The home must be owner-occupied (you intend to live in it as your principal place of residence)
• You must move into the property within 12 months of completion and live there for at least six continuous months
• The property must be in Tasmania

There is no income test for the Tasmanian FHOG, and the grant applies regardless of your earnings level. This makes the grant accessible to all first home buyers who satisfy the property and ownership criteria.

Property Value: No Specific Cap

One of the distinctive features of the Tasmanian FHOG is the absence of a strict property value cap in the same way other states impose them. The grant is available for new owner-occupied homes across Tasmania, with the primary requirements being that the home is new and that you will live in it as your principal place of residence.

While there is no hard dollar cap preventing higher-value homes from qualifying, the practical reality is that the grant is most impactful for typical first home buyer purchases. In Tasmania's market, new homes and house and land packages are generally available across a wide price range, from under $400,000 in regional areas to $600,000 or more in Hobart's inner suburbs and desirable coastal locations.

This absence of a value cap is a genuine advantage over other states. In NSW, for example, a property valued at $601,000 receives no FHOG at all. In Tasmania, the same property would still qualify for the full $30,000 grant, provided it is a new home and will be owner-occupied.

New Homes vs Existing Homes in Tasmania

The FHOG in Tasmania is exclusively for new homes. The State Revenue Office defines a new home as:

• A home that has not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence
• A newly constructed home purchased off the plan
• A substantially renovated home where the renovation is so comprehensive that the result is effectively a new dwelling
• A home built by an owner-builder on their own land

Established (existing) homes that have been previously lived in do not qualify for the FHOG. However, first home buyers of existing homes in Tasmania are not left without support. The 50% stamp duty discount applies to both new and existing homes, providing meaningful savings regardless of property type. Additionally, federal schemes such as the First Home Guarantee and the First Home Super Saver scheme are available to all eligible first home buyers.

It is worth noting that Tasmania's new housing supply is more limited than in larger mainland states. While new developments are increasing, particularly around Hobart's northern suburbs and in Launceston, the supply of new homes is smaller than in fast-growing areas of South-East Queensland or Melbourne's western corridor. This means it is important to start your property search early and be prepared to act when suitable new homes become available.

TAS Stamp Duty Discount for First Home Buyers

Tasmania offers a 50% discount on stamp duty (transfer duty) for eligible first home buyers. This discount is a valuable benefit that applies to both new and existing homes, making it relevant for all first home purchases in the state.

How the 50% Discount Works

When you purchase your first home in Tasmania, you are entitled to pay only half the standard transfer duty rate. This 50% reduction applies to the full duty amount, regardless of the property value. Here are some examples of the savings:

• $350,000 home: standard duty approximately $12,498, with 50% discount you pay approximately $6,249 — saving $6,249
• $450,000 home: standard duty approximately $16,498, with 50% discount you pay approximately $8,249 — saving $8,249
• $500,000 home: standard duty approximately $18,498, with 50% discount you pay approximately $9,249 — saving $9,249
• $600,000 home: standard duty approximately $22,498, with 50% discount you pay approximately $11,249 — saving $11,249

Combining the FHOG and Stamp Duty Discount

For a new home in Tasmania, you can receive both the $30,000 FHOG and the 50% stamp duty discount. On a $500,000 new home, the total savings would be approximately $39,249 — the $30,000 grant plus approximately $9,249 in stamp duty savings. This represents nearly 8% of the property value in government support, which is one of the most generous packages in the country.

For buyers of existing homes, the 50% stamp duty discount is the primary concession available at the state level. On a $500,000 existing home, the $9,249 saving still represents a meaningful reduction in upfront costs.

How to Apply for the Tasmanian FHOG

There are two ways to apply for the Tasmanian First Home Owner Grant:

Option 1: Through Your Lender (Most Common)

The most straightforward method is to apply through your bank or mortgage broker when you submit your home loan application. Your lender includes the FHOG application forms with your loan documentation, and the $30,000 grant is credited at settlement. This ensures the grant is available when you need it most, reducing your out-of-pocket settlement costs.

Option 2: Directly with the State Revenue Office

You can apply directly to the SRO of Tasmania within 12 months of settlement or completion of construction. This option is typically used by buyers who paid cash or who did not apply through their lender. You will need to provide proof of identity, your contract of sale or building contract, evidence that the home is new, and a statutory declaration confirming eligibility. Applications can be submitted through the SRO website or by post.

For the 50% stamp duty discount, your conveyancer handles the application as part of the settlement process. Ensure your conveyancer knows you are a first home buyer so they can apply the discount when lodging the transfer documents with the Lands Titles Office.

Other First Home Buyer Benefits Available in Tasmania

First Home Guarantee (Federal Scheme)

The First Home Guarantee allows eligible first home buyers to purchase with just 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. In Tasmania, property price caps are approximately $500,000 for Hobart and $400,000 for regional areas. Income limits apply: $125,000 for singles and $200,000 for couples. Combined with the $30,000 TAS FHOG, this scheme can cover most or all of a typical first home deposit.

First Home Super Saver Scheme

The FHSS scheme lets you withdraw up to $50,000 in voluntary super contributions for your first home deposit. Contributions are taxed at just 15% through super, compared to your marginal tax rate in a standard savings account. Combined with the $30,000 FHOG, you could have up to $80,000 in grants and tax-advantaged savings — a significant deposit on a Tasmanian property.

MyHome Shared Equity Scheme

The Tasmanian Government's MyHome scheme provides shared equity assistance to eligible Tasmanians. Under this arrangement, the government takes an equity share of up to 30% in your property, reducing the size of your mortgage and your ongoing repayments. This scheme is particularly aimed at essential workers and lower-income earners who may struggle to secure sufficient financing on their own.

Tips for Maximising Your First Home Buyer Benefits in Tasmania

• Buy a new home for maximum savings: The $30,000 FHOG is only for new homes. Combined with the 50% stamp duty discount, total savings on a new home can approach $40,000 or more.
• Explore Hobart's northern growth corridor: Areas like Brighton, Gagebrook, Granton, and New Norfolk are seeing new housing developments at price points well suited to first home buyers.
• Consider Launceston and regional centres: Lower property prices in Launceston, Devonport, Burnie, and other regional towns mean the $30,000 grant has an even greater impact on your purchase.
• Combine all available schemes: Use the FHOG, 50% stamp duty discount, First Home Guarantee, and FHSS scheme together for the best possible financial outcome.
• Start early with new home searches: Tasmania's new housing supply is more limited than mainland states, so begin your search early to secure a suitable property.
• Engage a mortgage broker: A broker can help you navigate the combination of state and federal schemes and find the best lender for your situation. The service is free to you.