MandyB

Hi everyone, I have been told that when living in Australia you are entitled to some kind of help from the government when buying your first home. I was given the figure $10,000 but don't know how accurate this is. My question is, as a New Zealand Citizen coming over to live and work in oz would i be entitled to this help or is it only for Permanent Residents?

Thanks for your help

Fluid36

It seems one of you has to be a PR or Citizen (maybe Kiwis are exempt), link is shown below:

Main link: http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/benefits/first_home/

Eligibility: http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/benefits/f...s/eligibility/

bcworld

The rules & amounts depend on the state you're buying the property in.

I think it's typically the case that one applicant must be an Aus citizen or PR.

bcworld

http://www.homeloanexperts.com.au/no...itizens-loans/

Fluid36

Looks like you can get it, a permanent resident in this case is cateragised as below:

"A person who holds a permanent residency visa (under section 30 of the migration act 1958 of the Commonwealth) or a New Zealand Citizen who is the holder of a special category visa (under section 32 of the migration act 1958)

You will have a 444 visa so will be eligible to get the first home buyers grant and stamp duty exemption in NSW (I have not checked Victoria).

NSW link: http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/lib/doc/forms/ofh001.pdf

Fluid36

So confirmed by both of us that you can get it as a Kiwi, good news.

Amazulu

I worked with a Kiwi temp resident and he got it

Fluid36

As a Kiwi you are classified as a Permanent Resident according to bcworlds post, I wasn't aware of this?

Link states the following:

"Are first home benefits available

The Australian government’s first home owners grant and other benefits are available for permanent residents as if they were citizens of Australia. New Zealand citizens are considered to be permanent residents of Australia and so are eligible for the grant.

Please refer to your state governments first home buyer website for information about which benefits are available in your state."

MandyB

Brilliant, thanks for all your help everyone.

fish.01

Don't think kiwi's are considered permanent residents. Think officially classed as temp resident.

Buzzy--Bee

Its a grey area.

Immigration counts them as temp.
FHOG counts them as perm.

BB

Fluid36

Yeah that's right, a bit weird as i thought Kiwis were temp full stop but it seems like FHOG and maybe other issues they are classified as Perm.

Amazulu

You're allowed a few breaks I guess

Fluid36

Yeah good, about time you guys gave us a few handouts.

Amazulu

As long as you stay temp, I'm happy that we throw you a few morsels