MaCCCa

I hear first time buyers in Oz get some help towards their first house which I guess comes in very handy. However as a home owner in the Uk We are hoping to sell and are booked to fly out to Melbourne at the end of October. (Although due to the slump we have just a few grand in equity :/ )

Would we qualify as first time buyers in Australia? Or are previous overseas residence taken in to account?

I have searched the forum but didn't find any previous thread....

pproehann

I got $7,000 in Aus even though had had a house in UK and know friends who during the recent incentive drive got almost $14,000 I think it was. Depending on the size of the house it covers stamp duty and fees so you break even.

comet555

It depends what visa you are on. I don't believe those on temporary visas get anything.

MaCCCa

I am on a PR Spouse Visa - My wife is an Aussie (although never lived there).

If it covers the fees then I am happy! Although we plan on renting for a while in the hope the housing market in Oz takes a tumble.

spottydog

You should get the government $7k but any state grants can be dependent on whether you have owned a house anywhere in the world

sassie

Provided you or your partner is an Australian citizen or a PR and neither of you have ever owned property in Australia, then you should be entitled to the grant. However, different states have different rules, so it depends where you will be settling.