By Alesha Capone
Wyndham is leading the state for the number of HomeBuilder applications lodged since June last year.
The federal government announced the HomeBuilder scheme in May 2020, to help support the construction industry in the wake of COVID-19 shutdowns.
The grant provides eligible owner-occupiers with funding to assist in the construction of a new home; substantially renovate an existing home; or buy an off-the-plan home or new home.
Figures from the State Revenue Office show that between June 4 and December 31 last year, Wyndham residents lodged 1898 applications seeking to receive a HomeBuilder grant to help with a new build.
The neighbouring municipality of Melton lodged the second-highest amount of applications (1622) in the state for new builds.
During January, 230 Wyndham residents lodged new build Homebuilder applications (residents of Casey, in Melbourne’s south-east, lodged 178 applications).
Wyndham residents also lodged 36 renovation applications between June and December last year (Greater Geelong residents lodged the most, at 273).
The HomeBuilder applications lodged by Wyndham residents are valued at more than $50 million in total.
For eligible contracts entered into between June 4 and December 2020, a $25,000 HomeBuilder grant was available to build a new home, where the value of the house and land did not exceed $750,000.
A $15,000 new build grant is available for eligible building contracts entered into between January and March this year.
The HomeBuilder grant is available to individual applicants and couples who are, or will be, registered as the owner on the certificate of title for a new home.
Each applicant must be an Australian citizen, a natural person (not a company or trust) and aged 18 years or older at the date of their building or housing contract.
Applicants must also not earn more than $120,000 as an individual or $200,000 as a household.
HomeBuilder grant applications can be lodged via www.firsthome.gov.au/homebuilder/vic/and must be received by no later than April 14, 2021.
