First home saver account

"First Home Saver Accounts" (FHSAs) were a 2007 election policy of the Australian Labor Party. FHSAs were offered from 1 October 2008 after a consultation period and passage of the First Home Saver Account Act 2008 through the Australian Parliament.
FHSAs offer several benefits to first home savers including:
In the 2014-15 Federal Budget, the Federal Government announced plans to wind back and abolish the FHSA scheme.
Eligibility.
To become a FHSA holder an individual must:
Government FHSA Contribution.
For each dollar contributed to a FHSA during a financial year, the government contributes 17 cents up a specified limit. This limit will increase through indexation.
Government FHSA Rates and Thresholds.
ATO's rates and threshold page:
Income Year: Ends 30 June in the given year. Contributions must be received by the fund prior to this date.
Account balance cap: If the balance of the FHSA account exceeds the 'Account balance cap', then the government contribution will be 0.
Contribution Threshold: The governments 17% match will only apply for contributions at, or below this level. Contribute this amount each year to take full advantage of the FHSA scheme.
Maximum government contribution: If the 'Contribution Threshold' is met or exceeded in any financial year, this is the amount the government will contribute.
Withdrawing funds.
To be eligible to close their FHSA and access the funds, an individual must:
Mortgage diversion.
During his 2010 Budget Speech, the Treasurer, Hon Wayne Swan MP announced changes to the operation of FHSA accounts. Previously, when a FHSA holder purchased a house, thus making them ineligible to hold a FHSA, the funds in their FSHA would be transferred to their superannuation account. Under the proposed changes, the Government would allow funds in a FHSA to be paid into an approved mortgage after the FHSA holder satisfied the four year rule.
On 6 October 2010, the Treasurer released an exposure draft on the new measures for public consultation.
On 24 February 2011, Tax Laws Amendment (2011 Measures No. 1) Bill 2011 was introduced to Parliament. On 10 May 2011 it passed both Houses, receiving Royal Assent on 25 May 2011. According to sub-clause 2(1) of the Bill, the changes to the FHSA Act became law on 26 May 2011.
Take-up.
As at the December 2013 quarter, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority website states there are 46,000 FHSAs containing A$521.5m.
Abolition.
In the 2014-15 Budget, the Federal Government announced the following changes to abolish the first home saver accounts scheme:
Lists of FHSA providers.
As at 21 May 2013, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority website lists the following institutions as FHSA providers: