Home buyers assistance account a guide for first home buyers

This publication is for: 
Home buyer / ownerProperty industry
The Home Buyers Assistance Account assists people to purchase their first home in Western Australia.  Eligible applicants receive a grant of up to $2,000 to reimburse some of the expenses associated with buying their first home.
 
The guide covers eligibility and frequently asked questions. The form covers how to apply. 
 

Home Buyers Assistance Account - A guide for first home buyers

If you are buying your first home you may be eligible for a grant to help with fees, charges and other incidental expenses.

First home buyers in Western Australia may be eligible for a grant from the Home Buyers Assistance Account (HBAA), which provides up to $2,000 to reimburse some of the costs associated with purchasing a first home.

The HBAA is a State Government scheme, administered by the Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation, and Safety (the Department). The scheme is funded from the interest paid on real estate agents’ trust accounts.

The grant can reimburse incidental expenses, including mortgage registration fees, settlement agent fees, valuation and inspection fees, loan establishment fees, mortgage insurance premiums, and lending institutions’ fees associated with buying a home. Postage, bank cheque fees, rates and taxes on the property, which are split between the purchaser and vendor at settlement, cannot be included.

Eligibility criteria

You may still be eligible for a grant from the HBAA even if you have received funding from other schemes.

The eligibility criteria for the HBAA grant may change from time to time. You can find information on the Home buyers assistance account page.

To be eligible, you must meet all of the following criteria:

  • The maximum purchase price of the home is within the $400,000 prescribed limit for dwellings purchased in Western Australia (for the latest current threshold figure, please visit the Department’s website).
  • The home is purchased through a real estate agent licensed to carry on business in Western Australia.
  • The home loan is financed through a lending institution, such as a bank, building society or credit union.
  • The buyer must intend to live in the home for at least the first 12 months. The home cannot be rented out during this time.
  • If there is an existing tenancy agreement in place at the time of purchasing the dwelling, the tenancy agreement must finish within six months from the settlement date; and the applicant/s must intend to live in the premises for at least 12 months after the tenancy expiry date.
  • It is the buyer’s first home. The buyer must not own or have owned a home in Western Australia. If you are buying a home with others who own or have owned a home in Western Australia before, then you can apply for a partial grant based on the percentage of your ownership of the home.
  • The home is established or partially built (not vacant land or a ‘house and land’ package).
  • Your application is lodged with the Department no more than 90 days after the date of settlement of the contract to purchase the home. Applications lodged outside the 90 days may be accepted if reasonable grounds for the late lodgement exist.

Frequently asked questions

What if my application is not lodged within the 90-day timeframe?

Your application may be accepted more than 90 days after the date of settlement of the contract to purchase the home, however you will need to provide a letter explaining the reason/s why the application is being lodged late.

If the reasons you have given prevented your application being lodged earlier, then it may be accepted.

Is the HBAA grant the same as the First Home Owner Grant?

No. The First Home Owner Grant is a Commonwealth grant administered by the Department of Finance – RevenueWA. For information on the First Home Owner Grant, call the First Home Owner Grant hotline on 1300 363 211 or visit the Department of Finance website.

I have already received the First Home Owner Grant. Does this mean I can also apply for the HBAA grant?

You may be able to although some of the criteria for the HBAA grant are different from the First Home Owner Grant.

Does my income affect the amount I will receive?

No. Eligibility for the grant is not based on your income.

The price of my property has just exceeded the prescribed limit. Will I be eligible for a portion of the grant?

No. To be eligible, the price of your property must be no more than the prescribed limit.

I have previously owned an investment property that I didn’t reside in. Will I be eligible for the grant?

No. If your name has been on a previous title in Western Australia for a residential property, then you will not qualify for the grant.

I purchased my home from the owner, advertised on the internet. Am I eligible for the grant?

No. The purchase must be through the agency of a licensed real estate agent. If the property is sold by the owner it is a private sale and not eligible for the grant.

What if I don’t meet one of the eligibility criteria?

An application must meet all eligibility criteria to be successful. The eligibility criteria are fixed by law and by the approval of the Minister for Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. If you are not eligible for the grant, we will inform you of the reasons.

How do I apply for a HBAA grant?

Your lending institution or real estate agent should be able to provide you with a Home Buyers Assistance Account application form.

Complete Section A and forward the application form and supporting documents to your lender. Your lender will complete Section B and send your completed application form and supporting documents to the Department on your behalf.

What documents do I need to submit to my lending institution?

  • a completed copy of the HBAA application form
  • a complete copy of the Offer and Acceptance contract (signed contract to buy the property) including any annexures referred to under the special conditions of the contact
  • a copy of the final settlement statement showing a breakdown of costs and disbursements - prepared by your settlement agent or legal practitioner, along with a copy of the covering letter confirming settlement has occurred; and
  • invoice and receipt for any inspection fees (if applicable).

What is the average processing time?

It can take up to eight weeks to process an application from the date all information is received.

What is the payment process?

The payment will be forwarded to your lender. How the grant is paid to you will depend on your lender.

Can I have the money paid directly to me?

No. Grants that have been approved are not paid directly to you but to your lending institution.

Submitting your application

Your lending institution will lodge the application on your behalf.

Contact us

You can contact the Home Buyers Assistance Hotline for further advice or assistance with the application.

Please email, call (08) 6552 9484, or for country callers, telephone 1300 304 054 for the cost of a local call.

Scope of this publication

This publication provides general information and explains the law in simple language. It is not a substitute for the legislation. You should seek expert or legal advice about your particular situation.

Home Buyers Assistance Account application form

To apply for the Home Buyers Assistance Account, you will need to complete the application form.

Application Form

Consumer Protection
Form – application
Last updated 14 Aug 2024

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