First Home Buyer Grant WA 2026

The Western Australian First Home Owner Grant is $10,000 for new builds and substantially renovated homes. WA is one of the more accessible states for first home buyers due to relatively lower median house prices and the availability of the Keystart loan scheme.

To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old, an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and neither you nor your partner can have previously owned residential property in Australia. You must move into the property within 12 months and live there for at least 6 continuous months. The grant is only available for new homes — established properties do not qualify.

How to apply: Apply through your lender when you apply for your home loan. Your broker handles the paperwork and the $10,000 is credited at settlement. You can also apply directly through the WA Department of Finance within 12 months of settlement. Documents needed include your contract of sale, proof of identity, and evidence the property is new.

First home buyers in Western Australia receive a full stamp duty exemption for properties valued up to $500,000. For properties between $500,000 and $700,000, concessional rates apply on a sliding scale. Properties above $700,000 attract the full transfer duty rate.

This exemption applies to both new builds and established homes, which is important because Perth's median house price sits well within the exemption threshold — making WA one of the most affordable states for first home buyers.

Example savings: On a $400,000 property, you pay $0 stamp duty (saving approximately $13,015). On a $500,000 property, you still pay $0 (saving approximately $17,765). On a $600,000 property, you receive a concessional rate, saving around $13,000 compared to the full rate. Your settlement agent applies the exemption during the transfer process.

Western Australia's off-the-plan stamp duty concession gives buyers a 100% stamp duty exemption on contracts up to $750,000 (capped at approximately $50,000 of duty saved). The concession is currently legislated until 30 June 2026 — about 6 weeks away. Contracts signed on or before that date qualify; from 1 July 2026, standard WA stamp duty rates apply (unless the state government announces an extension, which has not happened yet).

Eligibility: strata or community-title properties contracted before construction completes. Applies to both first home buyers and existing homeowners — the concession is NOT restricted to FHBs. Worth checking even if you already get the WA FHB stamp duty exemption ($500K full / $700K concession), because the OTP concession can save additional duty on contracts above $500K.

On a $700,000 Perth off-the-plan apartment: the saving is approximately $26,150 vs the standard rate. On a $750,000 contract, the saving is approximately $29,180. Your settlement agent or conveyancer lodges the concession application with Revenue WA alongside the standard transfer paperwork.

Source: WA Revenue Office. Combined with Keystart (2% deposit, no LMI) and the federal 5% Deposit Scheme (no income cap since October 2025), eligible WA FHBs buying off-the-plan stack the strongest scheme combination in Australia.

Keystart Home Loans: WA's unique government-backed lender lets you buy with just a 2% deposit and no LMI. Keystart is designed specifically for buyers who can't save a large deposit. Income limits apply — generally $105,000 for singles and $155,000 for couples. Keystart uses shared equity, meaning the government co-owns a portion of your home which you can buy out over time. Read our full Keystart guide →

First Home Guarantee (federal): Purchase with just a 5% deposit and pay no LMI. The Australian Government guarantees up to 15% of the property value. No income caps and unlimited places since October 2025. This is a good option if you don't qualify for Keystart or prefer a mainstream lender.

First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS): Save up to $50,000 in your superannuation fund for a home deposit with tax advantages. Contributions are taxed at 15% instead of your marginal rate.

Combining schemes: A WA first home buyer purchasing a new $450,000 property could receive the $10,000 FHOG, pay zero stamp duty (saving ~$15,000), and use Keystart to buy with a 2% deposit ($9,000) — entering the market with as little as $9,000 in savings and receiving $25,000+ in government support.

Step 1 — Get pre-approved: Speak to a mortgage broker who can assess whether Keystart or a mainstream lender is better for your situation. They'll factor the $10,000 FHOG and stamp duty savings into your affordability calculations.

Step 2 — Apply through your lender: Whether you go with Keystart or a standard lender, you can apply for the FHOG through them at the time of your home loan application. The $10,000 is credited at settlement.

Step 3 — Apply directly (if needed): You can apply directly through the WA Department of Finance within 12 months of settlement. Documents needed include your contract of sale, proof of identity, evidence the property is a new home, and your settlement statement.

Common mistakes to avoid: Don't assume Keystart is your only option — a mainstream lender with the First Home Guarantee may offer better rates. Don't forget that WA has no cooling-off period — once you sign, you're committed. Make sure all conditions (finance, inspection) are in the contract before signing. And don't wait to apply for the FHOG — lodge it with your home loan application.