17 April 2021: HomeBuilder construction deadline extended:

The Federal Government has today announced an extension to the construction commencement requirement for all HomeBuilder applications from six months to 18 months from when the eligible contract was signed.

This extension will only apply to existing applicants and will provide an additional 12 months to commence construction from the date that the building contract was signed. All applicants who signed contracts during the HomeBuilder eligibility period between 4 June 2020 and 31 March 2021 will have this extension applied to them.

This extension will be a relief to clients and builders alike that may have been facing difficulties in acquiring labour and materials or facing delays in finance approvals, planning, building approvals and land title. This extension ensures that existing applicants will not be denied a HomeBuilder Grant due to circumstances that are outside of their control.

Applications for HomeBuilder closed at midnight, Wednesday 14 April 2021. If you have already lodged your application, the supporting documentation can still be submitted and must be submitted by no later than 30 April 2023.

Find out more about this extension from the Treasury or RevenueSA.

22 March 2021: HomeBuilder Grant Applications close soon

Applications for the HomeBuilder Grant close on 14 April 2021 for eligible contracts entered into between 4 June 2020 and 31 March 2021 inclusive.

All applications should be submitted through RevenueSA’s online portal. You must upload, as a minimum, a copy of your contract to build, signed by both the applicant/s and the builder. The other required documentation can be uploaded at a later date, but no later than 30 April 2023.

For your application to be assessed and given conditional approval you are required to provide:

1. The builder’s valid licence/registration
2. The certificate of title (if available)
3. Evidence of your income
4. Evidence of your Australian citizenship and age

Further information will also be required before the Grant will be paid. Click here for more information from RevenueSA or to apply for the Grant.

The HomeBuilder Grant Extension and reduced rate comes into effect as of today. The HomeBuilder Grant deadline is now 31 March 2021 with eligible owner-occupiers able to access $15,000 for eligible contracts signed on or after 1 January 2021 until 31 March 2021 (inclusive). Applications can be submitted up until 14 April 2021 (inclusive). Contact us today to make sure you don’t miss out.

All existing eligibility criteria remain in place, click here to find out more about the Grant and the associated criteria from RevenueSA.

Click here for FAQ’s on the extension.

29 November 2020: HomeBuilder extended for 3 months

The Federal Government has announced it will extend the HomeBuilder Program for another 3 months, but at a lower rate. HomeBuilder was meant to expire on 31 December 2020, but has now been extended to 31 March 2021. Changes announced include:

• A $15,000 grant for building contracts signed between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2021, inclusive.
• An extended deadline for all applications to be submitted. 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.

The amount available is:

• $25,000 where the contract is signed between 4 June 2020 and 31 December 2020
• $15,000 where the contract is signed between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2021

The other existing eligibility criteria remains in place.

Time is running out to take advantage of the $25k, so don’t delay, Get in Touch with us today!

23 November 2020: Building commencement criteria extended from 3 to 6 months!

The construction commencement timeframe has been extended by 3 months for all relevant HomeBuilder Grant applications.

In effect, this means that to be eligible for the HomeBuilder Grant, construction must now commence within 6 months of the date of the contract. Construction is taken to have commenced when site works including excavation for the approved building works is complete.

Commencement must be supported by evidence such as a statutory declaration from the builder or a mandatory notification form that is used to notify local councils of stages of work.

Applications must still be submitted no later than 31 December 2020.

This provides an extra boost for builders and clients alike! To apply for the grant, or find out more detailed information, you can go directly to the RevenueSA website by clicking here.

Time is still running out to take advantage of the grant, so don’t delay, Get in Touch with us today!

17 July 2020 Update

RevenueSA have today announced they are now accepting applications for the HomeBuilder Grant!

What do we know that’s new?

When & How the Grant will be paid

For new builds, RevenueSA have specified the grant will be paid “after construction has commenced and evidence is submitted which shows that the first progress payment has been made to the builder”. It will be deposited straight into your nominated bank account (must be an Australian savings or cheque account.)

Potential discretion to provide extensions

RevenueSA have also provided some extra clarification around possible extensions if, for unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances, builders and clients are unable to get to site within 3 months from the contract being signed.

They have outlined a number of delays and circumstances they may consider reasonable to provide an extension to, including:

• delays in obtaining council approvals;
• difficulties in obtaining construction materials and/or sub-contractors;
• delays in financial institutions assessing and approving finance;
• inclement weather, where the disruption is substantial;
• health problems relating to, or the death of, a person critical to the commencement of the project;
  prolonged industrial disputes;
• significant delays in the issue of title caused by the Lands Titles Office; or
  natural disasters.

They have also flagged they are unlikely to provide an extension in these circumstances:

• where an applicant does not undertake appropriate due diligence when entering into a contract, or makes deliberate and informed choices which make them ineligible without the exercise of the Commissioner’s discretion;
• where delay results from the builder contracting to undertake more work than they could be reasonably expected to complete in the relevant timeframe; or
• where construction is delayed because the land developer has set pre-development sales targets and insufficient blocks have been pre-sold in a subdivision.

This provides extra clarity and confirmation around some of the finer details of the grant – a welcome addition for builders and clients alike!

To apply for the grant, or find out more detailed information, you can go directly to the Revenue SA website by clicking here.

For further information on the Lofty process and the difference our approach makes to the HomeBuilder grant, or general information about the grant itself, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us – call us today on 8266 0011 or click here to Get in Touch!

HomeBuilder Grant announced 4 June 2020

You might have heard the recent news from the Federal Government regarding a building grant for new homes, but are you familiar with the details? For everything you need to know, read on.

The HomeBuilder Grant was introduced by the Federal Government to give those looking to build a kickstart towards their dream home. It is for anyone looking to build, not just first home buyers, provided you are eligible (see below!) While some final details are still waiting to be confirmed, here’s a look at what we do know:

Who is eligible?

• Private individuals (not companies or trusts)
• Anyone who is an Australian citizen
• People aged 18+ years
• “Owner Occupiers” – people who intend to live in the new build as their home for at least 12 months
• When you sign a build contract between the 4th of June 2020 to the 31st of December 2020

Are there any extra conditions?

• The homes must cost under $750,000 including the cost of the land
• You must also meet an income cap, earning under:
  – $120,000 a year as an individual based on 2018/19 tax return or;
  – under $200,000 a year as a couple based on 2018/19 tax return
• Construction must start within 3 months of the date the contracts are signed

How do I apply?

Revenue SA will be distributing the grants for South Australia – individuals will need to apply directly through their office.

What else do I need to know?

Depending on your circumstances, you may also be eligible for the SA State Government funded First Home Owner Grant of $15,000 however, the total price of the home must also be under $575,000.

6 months to organise your build can seem daunting, but at Lofty we’re here to help. Whether you already have land or need to purchase we will happily assist no matter what stage you are at. We can provide you advice on land, location, design and everything in between to streamline the process for you.

We’ve already adapted our internal processes to ensure we can deliver your build to site on time to do our part to assist in your eligibility. We’re now signing contracts later while still giving you a fixed price quote to give you peace of mind while meeting the grant criteria.