First home buyers in Western Australia: Did you know you may be able to get your conveyancing costs refunded?

The Western Australian Home Buyers Assistance Account is a grant that reimburses eligible first home buyers up to $2,000 for incidental expenses incurred when purchasing their first home.

What can you claim?

You can claim expenses incidental to your purchase including conveyancing fees and expenses, inspection fees, land title registration fees and lender fees.

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for the grant if:

• The purchase price is $400,000 or less;
• The property is an established home or partially built (i.e. not vacant land or a house and land package);
• You have purchased the property through a licenced WA real estate agent;
• Your purchase is financed by a bank or credit union;
• You have never owned property in WA;
• You intend to live in the property for at least the first 12 months from settlement (or if there is an existing tenancy, you must move in within 6 months and live in the property for at least 12 months).

How do you apply?

The application form can be found here: commerce.wa.gov.au/publications/home-buyers-assistance-account-application-form.

You’ll need to complete Section A then ask your lender to lodge the application on your behalf within 90 days from acceptance of your offer to purchase (i.e. the contract date). You’ll also need to provide your lender with a copy of the offer and acceptance contract, the settlement statement and invoices for any expenses you wish to claim.

Richie Muir

Legal Director

Richie is an experienced and commercially astute lawyer specialising in property law. He leads lawlab’s team of legal advisors and is the go-to problem solver for complex or unusual matters.  Having spent many years living and studying in Europe he now calls Brisbane home. Outside of work he juggles his time helping bring up his 2 young daughters, playing football and developing property.