Tasmania and South Australia to axe first-home owner grants from June 30 2014: key dates to diarise

Tasmania has joined NSW, Queensland and South Australia by announcing plans to axe the $7,000 first-home owner grant (FHOG) for established homes on June 30, 2014.

It will coincide with the end of Tasmania's First Home Builder Boost (FHBB) - a payment of $8,000 - on June 30.

From July 1, Tasmanian first-home buyers who build or buy a new home (including off-the-plan) will be entitled to a $7,000 FHOG. Those buying an existing home will receive no grant.

The withdrawal of the FHOG for existing homes was announced by Tasmanian premier Lara Giddins as part of her recent 2013-14 state budget announcement.

Giddins said the $7,000 grant for new homes only would provide "an ongoing stimulus to the building industry and creating jobs in the process".

"This change will bring Tasmania into line with other States such as Victoria, NSW and South Australia while saving an estimated $11 million per annum, which will be used to fund job-creating changes to the payroll tax," Giddins said.

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill will deliver his state budget on June 6, but the state's revenue office website reveals that the already reduced $5,000 FHOG will end on June 30. The state's $15,000 FHOG for new homes is ongoing.

These are the key dates first-home buyers need to diarise:

All dates correct as of May 27 2013.

June 30, 2013 - Victoria

The date the Victorian government ends its $7,000 first-home owner grant. The grant is available if the price of the property or construction of the home does not exceed $750,000. An exception to this requirement is where the contract relates to a home that is on, or to be built on, primary production land.

June 30 2013 - South Australia

The $8,000 Housing Construction Grant (HCG) will expire on June 30. It applies to contracts entered into between 15 October 2012 and 30 June 2013, or in the case of owner builders, where construction commenced between 15 October 2012 and 30 June 2013. A property value cap of $450,000 applies.

June 30 2013 - ACT

The Home Buyer Concession Scheme (HBCS), offering stamp duty concession to first-home buyers and anyone else purchasing a new home or residential vacant land under certain thresholds (details on the ACT government website), is due to expire on June 30.

July 1, 2013 – Victoria

The start of the $10,000 grant in Victoria for newly constructed homes. In addition, the state government will also increase stamp duty cuts of 40% for all first home owners (including those buying existing homes) for homes valued up to $600,000. The combination of a $10,000 first-home owner grant and 40% stamp duty cut means that Victorians buying a newly constructed first home for $400,000 will save over $16,500.

January 1, 2014 - NSW

The $15,000 grant for first-home owners who purchase or build a new home in NSW valued at up to $650,000 will reduce to $10,000 from this date.

June 30, 2014 – Tasmania

Up until this date, Tasmanian first-home buyers of established homes are entitled to a $7,000 grant. From July 1, 2014, the grant is only available to those who buy or building a new home, including off the plan and house and land packages.

June 30, 2014 – South Australia

Up until this date, South Australian first-home buyers of established homes are entitled to a $5,000 grant. From July 1, 2014, no first-home owner grant is available to purchasers of established homes.

June 30, 2014 – South Australia

Stamp duty concessions for first-time buyers who purchase an apartment off the plan in the Adelaide CBD will end on this date. The scheme is available on the transfer of a new CBD apartment or a "substantially refurbished apartment" for a contract entered into from May 31, 2012, to June 30, 2014, capped at stamp duty payable on a $500,000 apartment of $21,330. 

June 30, 2014 – Tasmania

The $8,000 First Home Builder Boost Scheme grant available to Tasmanians building a new home (including off-the-plan) if the qualify for the first-home owner grant will end on this date.

September 1, 2014 - Victoria

All first home buyers (whether purchasing newly constructed or established homes) will benefit from a 50% stamp duty concession for homes valued up to $600,000.

June 30, 2016 - South Australia

Partial stamp duty concessions for first-time buyers who purchase an apartment off the plan in the Adelaide CBD will end on this date.