Get a $25,000 contribution towards your Addition, Extension or Renovation through the HomeBuilder Program

Eligible Australians will be able to obtain a $25,000 HomeBuilder grant towards their addition, extension or major renovation under the near – $700 million federal government housing package in a bid to boost the economy and act as a lifeline to the home construction industry (Homebuilder program).

The government announced the $688 million HomeBuilder program on Thursday 4 June 2020. In an attempt to boost new projects between now and the end of the year, the Government will give $25,000 grants to owner-occupiers for certain works on their homes.

These works include first floor/second storey additions, ground floor extensions and large scale renovations.

Renovation work does not include structures separate to the main property, such as swimming pools, tennis courts, granny flats and sheds.

The scheme will not apply to investment properties or owners who intend on building or renovating on their own without the help of licensed builders.

The plan will be restricted to people on middle incomes and to new homes and major renovations valued between $150,000 to $750,000.

The pre-renovation value of the house must not exceed $1.5 million and excludes sheds, pools, granny flats and any other structures not attached to the property.

The temporary scheme that will last until the end of the year, aiming to build 30,000 homes by Christmas.

Construction of a new home or a substantial renovation (including first floor additions, second storey additions and ground floor extensions) must be contracted to begin within three months to prevent a rise in house prices.

The grants will be means-tested, allowing singles who earned up to $125,000 the previous financial year and couples who earned up to $200,000 to access the scheme.

The scheme will work along existing state and territory first-home owner grants programs, stamp duty concessions and other grant schemes, including the federal government’s first-home loan deposit scheme and first-home super saver scheme.

The HomeBuilder Program and its associated grants came to an end in March 2021. 

If you’re planning a first-floor addition, ground floor extension or large scale renovation project you can start the planning process now. Or, reach out to our team below for more information.