windsordave

Help! Just about to put pen to paper on a mortgage but it is conditional on First Home Buyer Grant.

I have previously owned a property in the UK but my wife hasn't owned anything anywhere.

We are still eligible for the grant - right?

Thanks!

longreach

You are eligible for the grant if you have never owned a property in AUSTRALIA.

Owning a property in the UK or anywhere else does not matter.

Hope that helps,
Mark.

Streaks

yep, we were home owners in the UK but have only just bought our first Australian home and we were given it.
S xx

sassie

And also just to add that one of you has to be either an Australia citizen or permanent resident.

windsordave

Thank you all! What did people do before the internet and the BE forum????

Moving to the Redlands in less then a month!

Hoorah!

Dorothy

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you have to be also resident in Australia to qualify?

longreach

That is correct... I assume he is moving from a rental in Australia.

sassie

As I said above, you have to be an Australian Citizen or have PR to qualify.

Steve2438

You can also get another $2000.00 if your house was under $400.000 as well..you dont get it in your hand but knocked off your mortgage..

Steve

Dorothy

I know but there are lots of people who have simply validated but don't actually live here. We're in the process of applying for mortgages, first homeowner grant, etc and had to show not only our PR visa but proof of residency.

paulhill

Yes you are eligible for the First Home Buyers Grant however because you have owned a home before (anywhere in the world, not just Australia) you will have to pay stamp duty.

maverik1979

are you sure about that?, oh well, i've never owned a home anywhere in the world then if thats the case

Dorothy

No you don't. We've owned property in Canada and won't have to pay stamp duty.

jan&co

This is new to me. I'd thought stamp duty exemption is based on
the price of the property. In Queensland, property below $250,000
is exempt from stamp duty.

longreach

I will try to clear up the confusion...

The first home owners grant is a federal grant so is applicable nation wide. You are eligible if you have not owned a home in Australia only.

Stamp duty however is dictated at state level.

In QLD, for example, in order to qualify for the first home owners rate, the criteria extends to owning a property anywhere in the world.

However in WA, the criteria falls in line with the first home owners grant...i.e. in Australia only.

Each state is different in this regard.

Hope that helps,
Mark.