HomeBuilder provides eligible owner-occupiers (including first home buyers) with a grant to build a new home or substantially renovate an existing home. HomeBuilder assists the residential construction sector by encouraging the commencement of new home builds and renovations.
On 29 November 2020, the Government announced an extension to the HomeBuilder program to 31 March 2021.
Changes to the HomeBuilder program include:
- A $15,000 grant for building contracts (new builds and substantial renovations) signed between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2021, inclusive.
- An extended deadline for all applications to be submitted, including those applying for the $25,000 grant and the new $15,000 grant. Applications can now be submitted up until 14 April 2021 (inclusive). This will apply to all eligible contracts signed on or after 4 June 2020.
- An extension to the construction commencement timeframe from three months to six months for all HomeBuilder applicants. This will apply to all eligible contracts signed on or after 1 January 2021, but will also be backdated and apply to all contracts entered into on or after 4 June 2020.
- An increase to the property price cap for new build contracts in New South Wales and Victoria to $950,000 and $850,000, respectively, where the contract is signed between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2021, inclusive.
- The existing new build property price cap of $750,000 will continue to apply in all other States and Territories.
- A change in licensing requirements and registration for builders and developers, as below
- Where an eligible contract is signed on or after the 29 November 2020, the builder or developer must have a valid licence or registration before 29 November 2020.
- Where an eligible contract is signed before 29 November 2020, the builder or developer must have a valid licence or registration before 4 June 2020.
Other than the above, the existing program criteria applies. That is, the other existing eligibility criteria remains in place and the $25,000 grant will still be made available for eligible contracts signed on or before 31 December 2020.
You can register to receive updates on HomeBuilder when more information is available by going to the Treasury website https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/homebuilder
| HomeBuilder program criteria | Contracts signed between 4 June and 31 December 2020 (inclusive) | Contracts signed between 1 January and 31 March 2021 (inclusive) |
|---|---|---|
| Grant amount (new builds and substantial renovations) | $25,000 | $15,000 |
| Construction commencement timeframe | Construction must commence within six months of the contract being signed. | |
| New build price cap | Property value cannot exceed $750,000 | Property value cannot exceed:
|
| Substantial renovation price cap | The value of the property cannot exceed $1.5 million (pre renovation). | |
| Application deadline | Applications must be submitted to the relevant State Revenue Office by 14 April 2021. | |
| Licensing requirements for builders/developers |
|
|
| Other eligibility criteria | Existing program eligibility criteria remains. | |
Preliminary application data
| Total Applications as at 20 November 2020* | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| New build | Substantial renovations | Total | |
| NSW | 2,847 | 1,503 | 4,350 |
| VIC | 6,237 | 1,399 | 7,636 |
| QLD | 5,000 | 954 | 5,954 |
| WA | 2,053 | 142 | 2,195 |
| SA | 1,817 | 340 | 2,157 |
| TAS | 670 | 109 | 779 |
| ACT | 454 | 243 | 697 |
| NT | 102 | 7 | 109 |
| Total | 19,180 | 4,697 | 23,877 |
Data source: preliminary data reported by States and Territories; data is subject to revision by States and Territories.
Applications have not necessarily been assessed for eligibility.
Application processes may differ across States and Territories, limiting cross-state comparisons.
*Date online applications opened: Tasmania (6 July); Western Australia (24 July); New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory (9 August); Australian Capital Territory (14 August).
Please contact us on 03 9725 9078 if you would like further information.