Home Buyer Assistance Finder – 'Why am I not eligible?’

Find out why the assessment tool determined you aren't eligible for NSW Government home buying assistance.

If you received the message below while using the Home Buying Assistance Finder, this page will help you understand why.

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Sorry, it looks like we can’t help you.

Based on your last answer it appears no NSW Government home buying assistance will be available to you.

From the list below, choose the last question you answered before you received this message. If you completed the assessment as a single applicant, ignore the references to your partner.

The last question I answered was:

Will the property you purchase cost less than $1 million?

The 3 current NSW Government home buyer assistance programs don't apply to properties valued at over $1 million.

Which of the following describes your situation and how you will apply for home buying assistance?

You cannot buy your property through a company or trust, unless you are buying on behalf of an individual who may be eligible. In this case, retake the assessment and answer as if you are that individual (the trust’s beneficiary).

What is the citizenship status of you and your partner?

Only Australian citizens and permanent residents (including New Zealand citizens) can access home buying assistance.

How old are you and your partner?

All purchasers must be aged 18 years or over. In some circumstances this requirement can be waived. Contact Revenue NSW to discuss your individual situation.

What best describes your current property ownership?

If you (or your partner) currently own any residential property, you will generally not be eligible for any home buying assistance.

Exceptions can include if:

it is overseas residential property
it is vacant residential land in Australia
the property has been solely used for investment purposes since 1 July 2000.

Owning property with an ex-partner

If you jointly own land or property with an ex-partner – and you are currently single and earning $93,200 or less – you may be able to use the Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper to purchase their share.

Contact our lending partners to discuss your individual circumstances and see if the initiative will be available to you.

What best describes your previous property ownership?

If you (or your partner) previously owned any residential property, you will generally not be eligible for any home buying assistance.

Exceptions can include if:

you are a single parent or primary caregiver
you are single and aged 50 or over
you are a victim survivor of domestic and family violence
it was overseas residential property
it was vacant residential land in Australia
the property was solely used for investment purposes since 1 July 2000.

What type of property are you planning to purchase?

To access the First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) you must purchase a newly built or ‘substantially renovated’ home. You are ineligible for the First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme and Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper because of your property ownership history.

Do you plan to move into the property within 12 months of final settlement?

To access any of the 3 programs you must move into the property within 12 months of purchasing an existing home or your newly built home being completed. This rule does not apply to Australian Defence Force members and their partners.

Do you plan on staying in the property for 12 months once you move in?

You must live in the property continuously for at least 12 months to access the First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) and the First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme.

You can’t access Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper because of:

the way you are purchasing the property, or
your property ownership history, or
you are aged under 50 with no carer responsibilities.

Have you ever received government first home buyer assistance?

Previously accessing either NSW State or Australian Federal Government assistance has made you ineligible for additional help.

How much of the property will be purchased by first home buyers?

To access the First Home Owner Grant (New Homes), 95% of the property must be purchased by first home buyers.

For the First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme 50% of the property must be purchased by first home buyers.

Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper can’t be accessed using these purchasing arrangements.

What is you and your partner's gross annual income?

Your gross annual income is too high to access the Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper.

Your property ownership history, or the type of property you are purchasing, make you ineligible for either the First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme or the First Home Owner Grant (New Homes).

Can you and your partner contribute a deposit of at least 2% towards the property purchase price?

To access Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper you must contribute at least 2% of the purchase price as a deposit.

Your property ownership history, or the type of property you are purchasing, make you ineligible for either the First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme or the First Home Owner Grant (New Homes).