Can I use the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) as my deposit with HomeStart?

One of the most useful things an eligible first home buyer can do is put the First Home Owner Grant toward their deposit, and HomeStart supports exactly that. It is a genuine way to get into a home sooner. There are two things to understand though, the grant only applies to new homes, and the timing of when it is actually paid can change how you use it.

What the First Home Owner Grant is

The First Home Owner Grant, or FHOG, is a South Australian state grant for eligible first home buyers buying or building a new home. It is administered by RevenueSA, and the amount is set by the state government. As at 2026 the grant is 15,000 dollars for an eligible new home, but because the amount and rules are set by the state and can change, you should confirm the current position with RevenueSA before relying on it.

Using the grant toward your HomeStart deposit

HomeStart allows eligible first home buyers to apply the grant toward their deposit and upfront costs. In practice that means the grant can reduce the amount you personally need to have saved, which is a meaningful help when you are trying to get in with a small deposit. Combined with HomeStart already low deposit requirements and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance, it can bring a purchase within reach sooner than many people expect.

Who is eligible for the grant

The grant has its own eligibility rules, separate from your HomeStart loan. In broad terms it is for first home buyers who are buying or building a new home to live in, and there are requirements around being an individual rather than a company, occupying the home, and the value of the property. Because these rules are set by the state and reviewed over time, the reliable way to know if you qualify is to check the current criteria with RevenueSA.

Timing: when the grant is actually paid

This is the part that catches people out. For a new build, the grant is generally not paid at the very start. It is typically paid at a construction milestone, often once the slab or foundation stage is reached. That means the grant may not be available as cash at the moment you sign, so you need to plan your deposit and early costs around when the grant actually lands. A broker or HomeStart can help you map this timing so there are no surprises mid build.

New homes only

It is important to be clear that the First Home Owner Grant in South Australia applies to new homes, such as building a new home or buying a newly built one, not to established homes. So the grant pairs naturally with building, which is one reason building can be such a strong path for first home buyers. If you are buying an established home you will not receive the grant, but you may still use HomeStart low deposit options to get in with less.

Combining the grant with HomeStart and other help

The grant does not have to work alone. Eligible buyers can combine the First Home Owner Grant with HomeStart low deposit loans and booster loans such as the Advantage and Starter loans, which can further bridge deposit and budget gaps. There are also separate federal programs for first home buyers, which are run independently of the state grant but can sometimes apply alongside it. A broker can help you see which combination you actually qualify for, so you use every bit of help available.

Stamp duty is separate

People often bundle the grant in with stamp duty relief, but they are different things. The grant is a payment toward a new home. Stamp duty, and any first home buyer concession on it, is a separate state matter, also handled by RevenueSA, with its own rules. Both can apply to the same purchase, but they are not the same benefit, so check each one rather than assuming one covers the other.

What you still need to confirm

Before you count on the grant, confirm three things: that you are eligible under the current RevenueSA rules, that you meet HomeStart eligibility, and how the grant timing lines up with your builder and your deposit. Getting those clear early is what turns the grant into a smooth head start rather than a last minute scramble.