Important changes to the SA Government First Home Owner Grant

January 2005

The First Home Owner Grant (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2004 will come into operation on 1 January 2005 and makes the following three changes to the First Home Owner Grant Act 2000.

An applicant must now occupy the home, to which their application relates, as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least six months. This continuous period must commence within 12 months after completion of the eligible transaction. The Commissioner has the discretion to vary both the six month and the 12 month periods.

Where a FHOG has to be re paid as a result of an applicant providing false or misleading information, the Commissioner may impose a penalty, up to the amount of FHOG that the applicant is required to re pay, without having to prove that there was a dishonest intent by the applicant.

The time limit, within which a FHOG applicant can be prosecuted for an offence under the Act, has been increased from two years to three years from the date that the offence occurred.

For further information refer to Circular 250 which can be found at www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au.