State-by-state incentives for FHBs buying off the plan

Buying apartments and townhouses off the plan often attracts exemptions or reduced stamp duty for property purchases in states across Australia.

Each Australian state and territory has its own concessions and incentives, but if you are a first-home buyer chances are you are eligible for some sort of stamp duty discount or waiver.

The schemes mostly provide assistance for individuals buying their first homes, but seniors wishing to downsize might be eligible in some places as well.

From time to time, schemes have been unveiled for upgrading buyers aimed at stimulating the construction of new homes. Some schemes have required purchasing off the plan before construction commences, and others subsidise part of the stamp duty after construction commences. The schemes typically have eligibility requirements regarding the top price that precludes consideration.

Some governments require stamp duty payments after exchange documents are signed, but others delay the payment of stamp duty until the registration of the strata plan. A useful website for reference is stampdutycalculator.com.au, which calculates the amount of stamp duty payable on a state-by-state basis depending on whether you are an owner-occupier, investor or first-home buyer.

Also check state government websites for the latest information in your area.

Here is a list of specific off the plan grants available as at March 1, 2013.

NSW

A first-home buyer who purchases a $550,000 new home will get $35,240 in assistance. This includes a $15,000 grant for firsthome owners who purchase or build a new home valued at up to $650,000. The grant is available until December 31, 2013, reducing to $10,000 from January 1, 2014. Non-first-home buyers, including investors, who buy a new home are eligible for $5,000, whether the new home is off the plan or newly built, with a value up to $650,000. The $5,000 grant is also available to buyers of vacant land that is intended to be the site of a new home, valued up to $450,000. First-home owners are also eligible for a maximum stamp duty saving of $20,240 for homes up to a value of $550,000, with duty concessions for new homes valued between $550,000 and $650,000. The transfer duty exemption cap on vacant land is $350,000, with duty concessions for vacant land valued between $350,000 and $450,000.

QLD

A $15,000 first-home owner construction grant (FHOCG) is available. The FHOCG applies to new property bought or built at a value under $750,000. First-home buyers also pay no duty on purchases up to $500,000, with a phasing-out rebate applicable for values up to $600,000.For non-first-home buyers, the Queensland government offers a concessional stamp duty rate of 1% up to a value of $350,000, with stamp duty charged at normal rates for the remaining value of the home purchase. The buyer must occupy the home for a period of 12 months – an applicant may lose the concession if he or she sells or leases part or all of the home before moving in or within a year of moving in.

South Australian first-home buyers buying off the plan have the chance to secure up to $23,500 from the state government, provided they buy or build a new home. The $23,500 handout comprises a doubled first-home owner grant of $15,000 for contracts entered into up to a value of $575,000, plus a further $8,500 housing construction grant (HCG) available until June 30, 2013. The HCG is available to all buyers of new homes for properties valued up to $400,000, phasing out for properties valued up to $450,000 where contracts are entered into between October 15, 2012, and June 30, 2013, inclusive. If you are purchasing a new or substantially refurbished apartment:

• within the area of the Corporation of the City of Adelaide;

• on any land within the area where the Bowden Redevelopment project (Bowden Village); or

• on any land located within the area known as 45 Park, Gilberton;

You may be eligible for an off the plan stamp duty concession of up to $21,330 (capped at stamp duty payable on a $500,000 apartment), if your contract to purchase was entered into between May 31, 2012, and June 30, 2014. This concession is in addition to the first-home owners’ grant. If eligible, no stamp duty will be payable where the apartment has a market value of $500 000 or less. Where an apartment purchased has a market value greater than $500 000, the buyer will be entitled to a stamp duty concession of $21,330. A calculator is available on the RevenueSA.sa.gov.ua website to determine the stamp duty payable and concession that could be applicable. A partial concession will be available for contracts entered into between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2016. South Australian first-home buyers of established homes are entitled to a $5,000 first home owner grant, which expires on June 30, 2014.

WA

A $7,000 first-home owner grant remains in place for a newly constructed or established home. It does not apply to vacant land purchased to build a new home. The total value of the home must not exceed $750,000 if the property is located south of the 26th parallel of South Latitude, or $1 million if located north of the 26th parallel of South Latitude. First-home buyers eligible for the $7,000 grant pay no stamp duty on homes valued up to $500,000 and up to $300,000 for vacant land.

ACT

A $7,000 first-home owner grant remains in place for both existing and new homes where the price of the property or construction of the home does not exceed $750,000.

TAS

A $7,000 first-home owner grant remains in place for both existing and new homes, with no cap on the value. Tasmanian first-home buyers buying or building a new home (including off-the-plan) are eligible for an additional $8,000 under the First Home Builder Boost Scheme, which applies from January 1, 2013 to June 30 2014 if they qualify for the first-home owner grant.

NT

A $12,000 first-home owner grant is available up to a maximum of $600,000 if the home is an established home in the urban area. An urban area means all land located wholly within the boundaries of:

• the Darwin, Palmerston or Litchfield municipalities;

• Wagait Shire;

• the Darwin Waterfront Precinct;

• the “prescribed area” for the Darwin Rates Act.

Outside of urban areas, the grant amount is $25,000.

VICTORIA

The Victorian state government does not provide any extra incentives for first-home buyers purchasing off the plan.

A $7,000 first-home owner grant is available for those buying established homes or newly-constructed homes, including those bought off the plan. The price of the property or construction of the home must not exceed $750,000.

For great tips on buying off the plan, download Property Observer’s free ebook – 14 tips for buying off the plan: The 2013 guide for investors and owner-occupiers.

Photo by Caleb Roenigk, courtesy of Flickr