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Electric Car Incentives in Australia: State by State Guide (2024)

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Blue Nissan Leaf EV charging at Tritium fast charging station

UPDATE: EV Incentives in NSW and SA ended on 1 January 2024.

This guide covers everything you need to know about government incentives to buy electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia. We outline which incentives are available, how much each one is worth, and the process of how to apply for each state/territory.

If you want to find out which vehicles are eligible for the specific state-based incentives, view the table at the end of the article.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN:

➡️ Electric Car Discount (FBT Exemption): Everything You Need to Know

➡️ Every Electric Car Eligible for Federal and State-based EV incentives

Types of Electric Car Incentives in Australia

Before we go into the state-by-state breakdown, there are two main financial incentives that commonly feature in each state’s policy.

1. EV Stamp Duty exemption/reduction

Every vehicle purchased in Australia, new or used, is required to pay stamp duty. The amount payable is based on the value of the car. The financial incentives is therefore variable in nature, however, it is sometimes subject to a cap.

2. EV Rebates/Subsidies

Often used interchangeably, rebates/subsidies are a flat financial incentive. How does it work? If the vehicle is equal to or lower than the purchase value limit, you are eligible for the full amount, otherwise you receive nothing.

What Is the Federal Electric Car Discount in Australia?

The Electric Car Discount is a federal government bill that removes the following charges from eligible electric car purchases from 1 July 2022:

These will be made available on electric cars below the luxury car tax (LCT) threshold for fuel-efficient vehicles ($84,916 in 2022-23). You can view which vehicles are eligible at the end of this guide.

The removal of FBT will have the most pronounced effect on electric car affordability. It is however expected to benefit mainly businesses fleets and those procuring an electric car through a novated lease.

The higher LCT for electric vehicles ($84,916) compared to other vehicles ($71,849) equates to a saving of up to $3920 on the purchase price of a vehicle.

NSW EV Rebate and Stamp Duty Exemption

From 1 January 2024, EVs purchased in NSW are no longer eligible for EV incentives such as the stamp duty exemption and $3000 EV rebate.

Free Stamp Duty (no longer available)

  • A stamp duty exemption for eligible EVs up to $78,000 (inc GST). This equates to a maximum exemption of $3000. It applies to both new and used vehicles
  • Plug-in-hybrids (PHEVs) are not eligible.

NSW EV Rebate (no longer available)

  • A rebate of $3000 for eligible EVs up to $68,750 (inc GST) is also available. If the vehicle exceeds this limit it will not be eligible for any rebate. This is available for the first 25,000 eligible vehicles.
  • Used EVs and plug-in-hybrids are not eligible.
  • Vehicles procured under a novated lease are not eligible for the NSW EV rebate.

Application process

In NSW, stamp duty will be excluded from the tax invoice of eligible electric vehicles (see below table). The $3000 rebate will need to be applied for separately through this portal.

A road user charge will take effect following the earlier of: EVs comprise 30% of new vehicle sales or 1 July 2027.

For detailed FAQs on NSW electric vehicle incentives refer to this page.

ACT EV Stamp Duty Exemption

From 24 May 2021, EVs purchased in the ACT may be eligible for full stamp duty exemption and two years of free registration.

Unlike NSW, there is no limit on the value of the vehicle, meaning the stamp duty waiver is uncapped. For more information on the ACT scheme, you can go here.

Free Stamp Duty

  • An uncapped stamp duty exemption for eligible EVs. Based on the most expensive vehicle in our database, the Porsche Taycan Turbo S ($337,900), this provides an exemption worth $15,995.
  • The exemption applies to both personal and business use
  • New and demonstrator EVs are eligible. Used EVs and plug-in-hybrids are not.

Free Vehicle Registration

Free registration applies for eligible EVs for two years. The same eligibility criteria as above applies.

Interest-free Loan

Under the Sustainable Household scheme, interest-free loans of up to $15,000 will be available to eligible homeowners to invest in a range of sustainable products for their homes, including new and used zero emissions vehicles and household zero emissions vehicle charging infrastructure. More information is available here

Application process

Upon registration of your vehicle, the stamp duty and registration payable will be exempted (or reduced) depending on which environmental category your vehicle falls under.

The ACT government has yet to announce details of a road user charge for electric vehicles.

Victoria EV Incentives

Note: Applications for $3000 EV subsidy in Victoria closed on 30 June 2023. Following this date, the subsidy will no longer be available to Victorian registered electric vehicles.

The following EV Incentives are currently available in Victoria:

  • $100 p.a. discount on EV registrations
  • Exemption from the 'luxury vehicle' rate of stamp duty, paying only a flat rate of $8.40 per $200 of market value.

From 1 July 2021, a road user charge for EV owners of 2.5c/km, and a separate charge for PHEV owners of 2.0c/km.

South Australia EV Subsidy

From 1 January 2024, EVs purchased in South Australia are no longer eligible for EV incentives such as the $3000 EV subsidy.

Additional information on the SA Government scheme can be viewed here.

$3000 EV Subsidy (no longer available)

  • A flat $3000 subsidy for eligible EVs up to $68,750 (inc GST) is available. If the vehicle exceeds this limit it will not be eligible for any rebate.
  • Subsidies are limited to one per individual person residing in South Australia and two per business located in South Australia.
  • This is available for the first 7000 vehicles. Check how many subsidies remain available here
  • Used EVs and plug-in-hybrids are not eligible.

Free Vehicle Registration (available until 30 June '25)

Free registration applies for eligible EVs for three years. The same eligibility criteria as the subsidy applies.

Application process

You can apply for the relevant incentive through this SA government portal.

A road user charge of 2.5c/km for EVs and 2.0c/km for PHEVs. It will take effect from the earlier of 1 July 2027 or when EVs comprise 30% of new vehicle sales.

QLD EV Rebate

From 1 July 2022, rebates are available to eligible individuals and businesses for EVs purchased in Queensland (QLD) on or after 16 March 2022 – and limited to 15,000 approvals.

On 21 April 2023, the Queensland Government doubled the subsidy for eligible owners and past applicants who fall under the household income threshold below can apply for a reassessment to receive an additional $3000.

Queensland has the highest EV subsidy out of all states in Australia. The limit includes the base Tesla Model 3 RWD and Model Y RWD, which comprised 6/10 EV sales in 2022.

Up to $6000 EV Rebate

  • For households earning $180,000 per year or less gross income: A rebate of $6000 for eligible EVs up to $68,000 MSRP (excluding dealer delivery fees) is available
  • Otherwise, for households earning more than $180,000 per year in gross income: A rebate of $3000 for eligible EVs up to $68,000 MSRP (excluding dealer delivery fees) is available
  • Vehicles must be purchased through a licensed motor vehicle dealer
  • Rebates are limited to one per individual and five per Queensland business per financial year
  • Additional information on the QLD Government's scheme can be viewed here

Application process

Applications for the rebate and other QLD EV incentives can be made through this QLD government portal.

Queensland also provides reduced stamp duty rates for electric vehicles. Refer below table for rates.

No road user charge has been formally announced.

Northern Territory EV Incentives

From July 2022, buyers of eligible new or used EVs will receive a $1500 discount on stamp duty and five years of free registration.

Additional information on the NT Government scheme can be viewed here.

Reduced Stamp Duty

  • A stamp duty exemption of up to $1500 for eligible EVs up to the value of $50,000.
  • Applies to personal and business use and new and demonstrator vehicles.

Free Vehicle Registration

Free registration applies for eligible EVs for five years. The same eligibility criteria as the stamp duty exemption applies.

EV Charger Grant

  • Grants are available for residents and businesses for the installation of EV Chargers.
  • Under the scheme, 100 residential grants of $1,000 and 80 business grants of $2,500 are available.

Application process

No information available

A road user charge has yet to be announced.

Tasmania EV Incentives

Free Stamp Duty

  • From 1 July 2021, a stamp duty exemption applies to eligible EVs purchased in Tasmania.
  • There is no limit on the value of the vehicle meaning the value of the exemption is also uncapped. Based on the most expensive vehicle in our database, the Porsche Taycan Turbo S ($337,900), this provides an exemption worth $13,866.
  • It applies to personal and business use and new and demonstrator vehicles.
  • Used EVs and plug-in-hybrids are not eligible

Application process

Upon registration of your vehicle, you will need to apply for an exemption and the stamp duty will be waived.

A road user charge will take effect following the earlier of: EVs comprise 30% of new vehicle sales or 1 July 2027.

WA EV Rebate

$3500 Rebate

From 10 May 2022, residents and businesses in WA are eligible for a $3500 government rebate for EVs costing $70,000 or less.

You can find out more information on WA electric vehicle incentives here.

Vehicles financed through a Novated Lease will be eligible for the rebate.

A road user charge of 2.5c/km will apply from 1 July 2027.

Application process

Information on the application process can be found here

Which EVs are eligible for which state-based incentive?

Below we’ve listed every electric car available for sale that will be eligible for the federal government and various state-based EV incentives.

Frequently Asked Questions

About the author

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Danny Thai

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Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data. He is the founder of zecar and is currently the EV Innovation Manager at Endeavour Energy.

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